Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, ordering all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.

In a strong worded statement released by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Monday, March 17, 2025, Rwanda accussed Belgium of interference in regional conflicts and neocolonial behavior.

“The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately. Rwanda’s decision has been taken after careful consideration. of several factors, all Linked with Belgium’s pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions,” the statement read.

The government further accused Belgium of undermining its sovereignty, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the Rwandan government, Belgium has taken sides in the conflict and has worked to turn international opinion against Rwanda through misinformation.

“Belgium has consistently undermined Rwanda, both well before and during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in which Belgium has a deep and violent historical role, especially in acting against Rwanda. Today, Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda, in an attempt to destabilize both Rwanda and the region,” Rwanda stated.

The diplomatic fallout also touches on historical grievances, with Rwanda pointing to Belgium’s colonial-era actions and its alleged role in fueling ethnic tensions that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The statement further accused Belgium of allowing its territory to be used by groups that deny the genocide and promote genocidal ideology.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to national sovereignty, peace, and mutual respect, emphasizing that the decision to cut ties was necessary to protect the dignity of Rwandans. Despite the expulsion of Belgian diplomats, the Rwandan government assured that it would uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention by safeguarding the Belgian diplomatic mission’s premises, property, and archives in Kigali.

“Beyond Belgium’s destructive historical role in fueling the ethnic extremism that resulted in entrenched discrimination and persecution, and ultimately the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, it has also allowed Belgian territory to be used by groups that propagate genocide denial and sustain genocidal ideology,” the statemen read in part.

Adding;

“Today’s decision reflects Rwanda’s commitment to safeguarding our national interests and the digni-ty of Rwandans, as well as upholding the principles of sovereignty, peace, and mutual respect, All Belgian diplomats in Rwanda are required to leave the country within 48 hours. In compliance with the Vienna Convention, Rwanda will assure the protection of the premises, property, and archives of the Belgian diplomatic mission in Kigali.”