Rwanda cuts aid ties with Belgium over Congo conflict dispute
Rwanda has stopped its development aid partnership with Belgium, accusing the European country of unfairly taking sides in the conflict in eastern Congo.
The Rwandan government announced the decision on Tuesday, saying Belgium is supporting efforts to cut Rwanda off from international funding. Rwanda also believes Belgium’s position is harming peace efforts in the region.
For weeks, Belgium has called for stronger sanctions against Rwanda, saying it is backing the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of more areas in eastern Congo, including Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. Rwanda denies supporting M23.
The suspension affects a development aid agreement between the two countries that was supposed to last until 2029. Rwanda’s foreign ministry said international partnerships should be based on mutual respect and called Belgium’s stance an “unwarranted interference” in regional matters.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot responded to Rwanda’s decision, saying his country “takes note” of the move. He defended Belgium’s actions, saying, “Following Rwanda’s violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC, we were in the process of reviewing our cooperation with a view to taking decisive measures in response to this situation.”
Prévot added that Belgium will handle the suspension carefully to protect the benefits of the aid programme for the Rwandan people. He also said Belgium remains committed to finding a peaceful solution through international law.
Belgium is not alone in its stance against Rwanda. The European Parliament recently voted in favor of suspending a rare minerals agreement with Rwanda and stopping European aid to the country.
