In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on February 18, 2025, Rwanda accused Belgium of leading an aggressive campaign alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to block Rwanda's access to development finance, including funds from multilateral institutions.
"Belgium has made a political decision to choose a side in this conflict, which is its right, but politicizing development is plainly wrong," the statement reads.
The government emphasized that no country in the region should have its development finance weaponized as a tool of political leverage. It warned that punitive, one-sided measures undermine the African Union (AU)-led mediation efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Eastern DRC.
"These efforts demonstrate that there is no longer a sound basis for development cooperation with Belgium. Accordingly, Rwanda is suspending the remainder of the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program,' the statement continued.
"Rwanda will not be bullied"
"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 government also criticized the failure of the DRC and the international community to dismantle the UN-sanctioned genocidal FDLR militia, which has operated in the region for decades.
"Rwanda needs peace and a durable solution. No one should continue to tolerate the cycles of conflict that persist due to the failure of the DRC Government and the international community to fulfill their commitments," the statement added.
Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to accountability in the use of development funds, insisting that its partnerships must be based on mutual respect and maintained that full support to the AU/EAC/SADC mediation is essential during these difficult moments for our region.
"Development partnerships must be based on mutual respect, and Rwanda has made it a point to ensure maximum accountability for all the funding we receive, a fact that no partner has questioned."
IGIHE
