Rwanda has announced the suspension of the remainder of its 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium, accusing the European nation of undermining its access to development finance. The decision, revealed in a government statement on Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The Rwandan government claims that Belgium has led an aggressive campaign working closely with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to block Rwanda’s access to critical development funding, including from multilateral institutions. Kigali argues that such actions not only harm Rwanda but also jeopardize regional stability and ongoing African-led peace efforts in eastern DRC.
“Belgium has made a political decision to choose a side in this conflict, which is its right, but politicizing development is wrong,” the statement read. Rwanda maintains that international aid should not be used as a political weapon, warning that punitive actions from Belgium could undermine diplomatic efforts led by the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
By cutting off cooperation with Belgium, Rwanda is taking a firm stance against what it perceives as external interference in its internal affairs. The government emphasized that its primary concern remains national security and stability, stressing that it “will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security.” Rwanda also pointed to the continued presence of the UN-sanctioned Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia with links to the 1994 genocide, as a persistent regional security threat.
Rwanda has long criticized the DRC and the international community for failing to dismantle the FDLR and for neglecting the rights of ethnic minorities in eastern DRC. The statement reinforced Kigali’s demand for a sustainable solution, arguing that decades of conflict persist due to international failures to hold the DRC accountable.
Despite the suspension of Belgian aid, Rwanda reiterated its commitment to mutually respectful development partnerships. The government urged full support for African-led mediation efforts as the best path to lasting peace.
This latest development signals growing tensions between Rwanda and its Western partners, with Kigali increasingly asserting its independence in regional and global diplomacy. As the situation unfolds, attention will turn to how Belgium and other international stakeholders respond to Rwanda’s bold move.
