The government of Rwanda has announced the suspension of its development cooperation with Belgium, citing political interference in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crisis. The decision affects the remainder of the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program between the two nations.
In an official statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused Belgium of collaborating with the DRC to hinder Rwanda’s access to development finance. According to the statement, “Belgium has led an aggressive campaign, together with DRC, aiming to sabotage Rwanda’s access to development finance, including in multilateral institutions.”
Rwanda condemned Belgium’s decision to take a political stance in the regional conflict, arguing that no country should have its development finance used as a tool of leverage. The government described Belgium’s actions as “punitive, one-sided measures” that undermine African-led mediation efforts and risk delaying peaceful conflict resolution.
Highlighting its commitment to regional stability, Rwanda stated that it will not tolerate external pressure compromising its national security. “Rwanda will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security. Our only aim is a secure border and an irreversible end to the politics of violent ethnic extremism in our region,” the statement affirmed.
The Rwandan government also criticized the international community for failing to hold the DRC accountable for its alleged inability to dismantle armed groups such as the FDLR militia. “Cycles of conflict continually recur because of the failure of the DRC Government and the international community, decade after decade, to fulfill their commitments,” the statement read.
Emphasizing the need for respect and accountability in development partnerships, Rwanda reiterated its dedication to financial transparency. “Development partnerships must be based on mutual respect, and Rwanda has made it a point to ensure maximum accountability for all the funding we receive.”
The suspension marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations, as Rwanda urges full support for the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC)-led mediation efforts.
