Rwanda has announced the suspension of its development cooperation with Belgium, citing political interference and efforts to block its access to international development financing.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rwanda accused Belgium of working with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to undermine its financial standing in multilateral institutions.
“Belgium has led an aggressive campaign, together with DRC, aiming to sabotage Rwanda’s access to development finance, including in multilateral institutions,” the statement read.
The Rwandan government said Belgium’s decision to take sides in the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC was a political move that jeopardized development cooperation.
“No country in the region should have its development finance jeopardized as a tool of leverage. Punitive, one-sided measures can only be construed as unwarranted external interference that undermines the African-led mediation process,” the statement added.
As a result, Rwanda said it would suspend the remainder of its 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium.
Rwanda Rejects “Blackmail” on Security Issues
The Rwandan government also reaffirmed its stance on national security, stating that it “will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security.”
“Our only aim is a secure border and an irreversible end to the politics of violent ethnic extremism in our region,” the statement said.
Kigali accused the DRC and the international community of failing to dismantle the UN-sanctioned FDLR militia, which Rwanda has long blamed for regional instability.
“Rwanda needs peace and a durable solution, and no one should continue to tolerate the cycles of conflict which continually recur because of the failure of the DRC Government and the international community,” the ministry stated.
Call for Respect in Development Partnerships
Rwanda also emphasized that development partnerships must be built on mutual respect and accountability.
“We have made it a point to ensure maximum accountability for all the funding we receive, a fact that no partner has questioned,” the statement read.
The government urged all parties to support the African Union, East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC)-led mediation process.
The suspension of Rwanda’s development cooperation with Belgium marks a significant diplomatic rift between the two nations. Belgium has yet to officially respond to the decision.