Tensions between Rwanda and Belgium began escalating when the Belgian government rejected Rwanda's appointed ambassador, Vincent Karega, in July 2023.
This decision was made without prior consultation with the Rwandan government and was first announced on an online platform used by Rwandans in Brussels who are known for denying and downplaying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In response, Rwanda discreetly refused to accept Belgium's newly appointed ambassador in the summer of 2024. Speaking to RTBF Radio and Television, Minister Nduhungirehe explained, "In diplomatic terms, this is called reciprocity."
Belgium has been the most vocal European country advocating for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing it of having troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and of supporting the M23 armed group.
As a result, in February 2025, Rwanda suspended its development cooperation with Belgium, stating that Belgium had chosen to align itself with the DRC while attempting to block Rwanda from accessing international development aid.
Nduhungirehe clarified that M23 is a Congolese movement fighting for the rights of Congolese citizens of Rwandan cultural heritage, who have been marginalized and mistreated in the DRC.
"They are mostly Tutsi, who ended up there due to colonial border decisions. And Belgium played a major role in this issue," he emphasized.
He reiterated that Rwanda does not have troops in the DRC but has deployed defensive measures along its border to counter potential threats from the neighboring country.
"Rwanda is not occupying Congolese territory. We have put in place border defense strategies to prevent threats against our land. For 30 years, the group that carried out the Genocide against the Tutsi has been supported by successive Congolese governments and has continuously launched attacks on our territory alongside the Congolese army," he explained.
He also recalled that DRC President Félix Tshisekedi publicly declared his intention to bomb Kigali and that, following the battle in Goma at the end of January 2025, weapons intended for an attack on Rwanda were discovered near the border.
This week, Nduhungirehe visited Belgium for discussions with European Union (EU) officials in Brussels.
Upon learning of the visit, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot invited Minister Nduhungirehe for a meeting, but the Rwandan minister declined.
"I personally invited my Rwandan counterpart for a meeting this week when I learned at the last minute about his visit to Brussels. I was disappointed that he did not take this opportunity, as he informed us that his schedule would not allow it," said Prévot.
Nduhungirehe told the media that Belgium is solely responsible for the strained relations between the two countries. "The deterioration of diplomatic ties between our two nations is entirely Belgium's doing," he stated.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Prévot noted that Belgium and Rwanda continue to cooperate on prosecuting individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and assured that efforts will be made to maintain this collaboration.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/nduhungirehe-faults-belgium-deterioration-of-relations-with-rwanda
