Belgium, Rwanda resume diplomatic relations after DRC conflict dispute
The two governments said they held constructive talks and plan to reopen their embassies soon after Qatar helped arrange earlier contact.
- On Tuesday, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe announced the restoration of diplomatic ties in New York, ending an 18-month break over disagreements linked to conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Relations deteriorated in March 2025 when the two countries expelled each other's diplomats over disagreements regarding conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Rwanda alleges it faces threats from Hutu militias fighting alongside Congolese forces.
- Western governments and the United Nations allege Rwanda backs the M23 rebel group, which controls parts of North and South Kivu provinces after capturing Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. Kigali denies the allegations.
- In a joint statement, both nations said they addressed differences "in a constructive spirit" following meetings and informal contacts over recent months. They thanked Qatar for facilitating their first meeting in June 2025 and plan to reopen embassies soon.
- Belgian Foreign Minister Prevot stated that restoring relations is crucial "in a world marked by growing tensions," emphasizing this does not mean abandoning Belgium's position on defending "the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.
52 Articles
52 Articles
After 18 months of breakdown, Belgium and Rwanda announced Tuesday, 22 September, the restoration of their diplomatic relations. A joint communiqué circulated on the margins of the UN General Assembly specifies that the embassies will be reopened soon. Pierre Benazet's explanations, France 24 correspondent in Brussels.
Rwanda: Belgium and Rwanda Restore Diplomatic Ties After 18-Month Rupture
Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations, 18 months after Kigali severed ties with Brussels over opposing positions on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda had broken up its relations with Belgium on 17 March 2025 after accusing him of taking Kinshasa's side in the conflict in eastern DRC. Both countries now favour dialogue.
Qatar-brokered pact restores Rwanda-Belgium relations amid ongoing security fallout in DRC’s mineral-rich Kivu region
Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture triggered by disagreements over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with both countries agreeing to reopen their embassies.
Belgium, Rwanda restore diplomatic ties after 18-month rift
Belgium and Rwanda have agreed to restore diplomatic relations, 18 months after Kigali severed ties with its former colonial ruler over disagreements linked to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)."The Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Rwanda have jointly decided, on 22 September 2026, to restore diplomatic relations. To this end, their respective bilateral embassies will be reopened in the near future," the Belgian an…
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