Rwanda has suspended its long-standing development cooperation with Belgium, citing external interference that undermines Africa-led mediation efforts in resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision follows heightened tensions between the two nations, with Belgium accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group.
Since 1962, Belgium has been a key development partner for Rwanda, contributing to sectors such as health, agriculture, education, urban development, and social protection.
Over time, its cooperation expanded to include governance, climate action, gender equality, and support for Rwandan civil society.
Belgium has also been a major donor to multilateral organisations operating in Rwanda, including the United Nations and the European Union.
However, as the DRC conflict escalated, Belgium aligned itself with Kinshasa, leading efforts to restrict Rwanda’s access to international development financing.
Rwandan officials have condemned this as politically motivated, arguing that it unfairly targets Rwanda while ignoring the continued security threats posed by the FDLR militia, a group linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Belgium has chosen a side in this conflict, which is its right, but politicising development aid is plainly wrong,” read a statement from the Rwandan government.
“No country in the region should have its development finance jeopardised as a tool of leverage. Such punitive measures have repeatedly failed to bring peace to the region.”
Belgium’s bilateral cooperation with Rwanda has been implemented through Enabel, the Belgian development agency, under five-year agreements.
The latest agreement (2024-2029) was set to provide EUR 95 million to strengthen Rwanda’s healthcare system, support small-scale agriculture, promote sustainable urban development, and improve public financial management.
Additionally, Belgium has been financing a EUR 17.6 million regional program for decent work and social protection, covering Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC.
Despite this deep-rooted partnership, Rwanda’s leadership has made it clear that it will not tolerate pressure to accept one-sided narratives on the DRC crisis.
A month before suspending the agreement, President Paul Kagame made his stance clear at a diplomatic dinner, stating, “We are not the same old idiots you dealt with 50 years ago.” His remarks underscored frustration with Western powers that continue to frame African conflicts through outdated, colonial-era perspectives.
Rwanda, a former Belgian colony, has long accused Brussels of maintaining an imbalanced relationship that undermines its sovereignty. Over the past two decades, Rwanda’s rapid development has been driven by a commitment to self-reliance and strategic partnerships based on mutual respect. Kigali remains wary of external forces using aid as a tool of political coercion.
The suspension of Belgian aid signals a broader shift in Africa’s geopolitical landscape, as nations push for equitable partnerships rather than aid dependency.
Kagame’s administration has consistently emphasised that while international cooperation is welcome, Rwanda will not be pressured into compromising its national security.
Belgium has acknowledged Rwanda’s decision and stated that it “takes note” of the suspension. However, it remains unclear whether diplomatic efforts will be made to restore ties.
With Rwanda strengthening relations with emerging global powers like China, Russia, and Gulf nations, this development could further reshape its foreign policy priorities.
Despite the fallout, Rwanda remains committed to resolving the DRC crisis through African-led initiatives, including mediation efforts by the African Union, East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community.
However, the government insists that sustainable peace can only be achieved if the international community takes concrete steps to dismantle the FDLR and protect minority rights in the region.
Rwanda’s decision to suspend Belgian aid is more than just a diplomatic dispute—it is a defining moment in its post-colonial journey, reaffirming its commitment to sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination.
