Rwanda has halted its development cooperation with Belgium, accusing the European nation of leading a coordinated effort, alongside DR Congo, to obstruct its access to development finance, including funds from multilateral institutions.
On Tuesday, February 18, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation announced the suspension, citing Belgium’s decision to take a political stance in the eastern DR Congo conflict. The ministry criticized Belgium for politicizing development aid at a time when the international community is expected to support the African Union and the Joint EAC-SADC Summit-led mediation process.
“Belgium has made a political decision to choose a side in this conflict, which is its right, but politicizing development is plainly wrong. No country in the region should have its development finance jeopardized as a tool of leverage,” read the ministry’s statement.
Rwanda also denounced punitive measures imposed by Belgium, calling them unwarranted external interference that undermines Africa-led peace efforts and risks prolonging the crisis. As a result, Rwanda has suspended the remaining portion of the €95 million bilateral aid program with Belgium, of which €80 million was yet to be disbursed.
“Rwanda 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 emphasized.
The ministry further stressed the need for a sustainable solution to the recurring conflicts in DR Congo, attributing the instability to the failure of the Congolese government and the international community to dismantle the UN-sanctioned genocidal FDLR militia and protect minority rights.
The tensions between Rwanda and Belgium escalated last week when President Paul Kagame’s Press Secretary, Stéphanie Nyombayire, condemned Belgium’s accusations of Rwanda’s involvement in DR Congo’s mineral exploitation. Nyombayire called out Belgium’s historical role in exploiting DR Congo’s resources and fueling ethnic divisions.
“A country now leading the charge against Rwanda, with accusations of exploiting the very resources on which Belgium’s entire wealth is built. The irony is unmatched,” she remarked.
She further pointed out that Belgium harbors genocide perpetrators while its Antwerp Diamond District continues to benefit from DR Congo’s diamonds. “Fake outrage does not erase the facts of history,” she added.
Source: TNT