Rwanda has formally suspended its development cooperation with Belgium, accusing the European nation of attempting to undermine its access to funding amid tensions over the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement on Tuesday, Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry criticized Belgium for what it described as taking sides in the dispute and using development aid as a political tool. “Rwanda will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security,” the ministry said, emphasizing that its primary goal is to maintain a secure border and prevent ethnic violence in the region.
The fallout stems from allegations by Belgium and other Western countries that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of significant portions of eastern DRC. Kigali has repeatedly denied backing the militia, which claims to be protecting Tutsis and Rwandan language speakers in Congo while fighting against Hutu rebel groups with ties to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Meanwhile, Congolese authorities accuse M23 and Rwanda of exploiting the region’s vast mineral resources.
Belgium had already been reassessing its bilateral aid program with Rwanda due to concerns over its alleged involvement in the conflict. Pierre Steverlynck, spokesperson for Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the review was being conducted in response to Rwanda’s “violation of the territorial integrity” of the DRC. According to him, the decision to cut ties preemptively was Rwanda’s attempt to get ahead of potential sanctions.
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As a result of the suspension, Rwanda will no longer receive funding under the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program, which had a budget of €95 million ($99 million), according to Belgium’s embassy in Kigali. Despite the political rift, Belgium expressed hope that the suspension process would be handled professionally to mitigate negative impacts on Rwandan citizens.
The diplomatic standoff comes at a time when Rwanda faces growing financial pressure. Earlier this month, both the International Monetary Fund and S&P Global Ratings raised concerns about the economic toll of a prolonged crisis on the heavily indebted nation. Additionally, major donors, including the United Kingdom, have warned that more than $1 billion in aid could be at risk if tensions persist.
As international scrutiny intensifies, Rwanda’s decision to sever ties with Belgium signals a broader shift in its approach to foreign aid, prioritizing national security concerns over financial support from Western partners.
