Rwandan President Paul Kagame has ordered all European diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, accusing them of persistently undermining Rwanda and implicating it in the ongoing war in eastern Congo.
In a statement issued Monday, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an immediate severance of diplomatic ties with Belgium.
The move followed Kagame’s allegations that Belgian and other European officials were lobbying for international sanctions against Rwanda, citing its alleged involvement in the Congolese conflict.
“They constantly hurl accusations at us,” Kagame said, referring to the claims that Rwanda was fueling the war in Congo. “First, they make it Rwanda’s war, then they claim we support it.”
Kagame criticized Belgium specifically, labeling its efforts to rally sanctions against Rwanda as “shameless.”
He accused Belgian officials of visiting Kinshasa to push for punitive measures against his country, despite Rwanda’s small size.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, condemned Rwanda’s decision, describing it as excessive and indicative of Kagame’s unwillingness to engage in diplomatic discussions.
“Belgium regrets Rwanda’s choice to sever ties and expel our diplomats,” Prevot stated on X. “This is a disproportionate response and shows Rwanda’s reluctance to engage in dialogue when disagreements arise.”
The diplomatic fallout comes amid broader tensions between Rwanda and Western nations.
Earlier this month, Germany halted financial aid to Rwanda following a UN report alleging that Rwandan troops were actively supporting M23 rebels in the Congolese conflict.
The U.S. and the UK had already suspended their assistance to Rwanda over similar concerns.
Kagame’s government has consistently denied any involvement in the unrest in eastern Congo.