Addis Ababa, March 17, 2025 (ENA) — On Monday, Rwanda decided to cut off diplomatic ties with Belgium and demanded that all Belgian diplomats depart from the nation within two days.

The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing Belgium of interfering in their internal matters.

Part of the statement said, 'Belgium has continually worked against Rwanda’s interests, both prior to and throughout the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is particularly true considering Belgium’s significant and troubled past involvement, notably opposing Rwanda,'

Recently, Belgium decided to freeze aid and suspend trade deals with Kigali due to the continuing conflict in the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release: “Today, the Government of Rwanda informed the Belgian government of its choice to terminate diplomatic ties, taking effect right away.” It further explained, “This determination was made following thorough deliberation over various elements, which are interconnected with Belgium’s lamentable efforts to uphold its neo-colonial fantasies.”

Belgium responded to Kigali's action by labeling it as "disproportionate" and stated that they would implement similar steps.

"Belgium expresses regret over Rwanda’s choice to sever diplomatic ties and declares Belgian diplomats unwelcome within their country," stated Maxime Prévôt, who serves as both the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation of Belgium, via social media.

"It is unjustified and indicates that whenever we differ with Rwanda, they opt out of engaging in dialogue," he stated.

Prevot stated that Belgium would implement comparable actions: summoning the acting Rwandan chargé d'affaires, deeming Rwanda's diplomats as personae non gratae, and terminating bilateral government cooperation accords.

Belgium has criticized Rwanda’s purported role in the ongoing strife in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, notably its claimed backing of the M23 rebel group, which Kigali refutes.

Following their resurgence in late 2021, the M23 have seized control of areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the key city of Goma.

On Monday, the EU declared sanctions against Rwandan military leaders.

During a press briefing in Kigali on Sunday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame adopted a resolute stance, stating that his East African nation will protect its sovereignty from external meddling by other nations.

Kagame specifically called out Belgium, highlighting that it governed Rwanda as a colony up until 1962, and accused them of committing atrocities against Rwandans. He vowed to combat what he sees as their 'neocolonial intervention.'

Rwanda's capital city of Kigali has come under greater global attention due to its involvement in the strife in eastern Congo, where an allied rebel group operates in two areas abundant with natural resources.