Belgium reassesses cooperation with Rwanda over DRC conflict
Belgium has confirmed that it is reassessing its cooperation with Rwanda following Kigali’s violation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) territorial integrity.
The announcement comes in response to Rwanda’s decision to suspend its bilateral aid programme with Brussels, citing what it calls a politicisation of development aid.
In a statement, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, emphasised that Belgium had already been reviewing its commitments with Rwanda before the latter’s unilateral suspension.
"Following the violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC by Rwanda, we were reviewing our cooperation with a view to taking decisive measures in response to this situation," Prévot stated. He added that Brussels intended to conduct a professional suspension process that preserves the benefits of cooperation for the Rwandan people.
Belgium also reaffirmed its diplomatic efforts to rally the international community toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC, grounded in international law.
The Rwandan government announced on Tuesday the suspension of its 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium, accusing Brussels of engaging in an "aggressive campaign" in coordination with Kinshasa to block Rwanda’s access to development financing.
In a statement, Rwanda argued that Belgium had taken sides in the conflict by implementing punitive and unilateral measures, which it claims undermine mediation efforts led by the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
"No country in the region should see its development funding compromised for political pressure purposes," Rwanda asserted, warning that such decisions weaken peaceful resolution efforts and risk exacerbating regional instability.
The Rwandan government further insisted that it would not be intimidated, defending its military engagement as necessary to secure its borders and combat the FDLR - a militia formed by remnants of the former Rwandan Armed Forces involved in the 1994 genocide.
