Rwanda has announced the immediate closure of its embassy in Brussels and the recall of all its diplomats from Belgium, marking a sharp escalation in the diplomatic fallout between the two countries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe bluffed and said the severing of diplomatic ties also meant shutting down Rwanda’s embassy in Belgium. He stated that all Rwandan diplomats must return to Kigali within 48 hours and that none would respond to any summons from Belgian authorities.
The announcement came in response to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who condemned Rwanda’s decision. “Belgium regrets the decision of Rwanda to cut off diplomatic relations with Belgium and to declare Belgium’s diplomats persona non grata. This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda, they prefer not to engage in dialogue,” he said.
Prévot also stated that Belgium would take similar measures, including summoning Rwanda’s chargé d’affaires, expelling Rwandan diplomats, and ending governmental cooperation agreements.
Rwanda has dismissed Belgium’s reaction, accusing the country of long-standing interference in Rwandan affairs. Kigali has repeatedly criticized Brussels for sheltering genocide fugitives and leading a campaign of misinformation against Rwanda. Officials in Kigali argue that Belgium has allowed a network of genocide perpetrators and their associates to operate freely within its borders.
“Let Belgium start by dismantling the network of genocidaires it protects before pretending to lecture Rwanda about dialogue,” a senior Rwandan official said.
The diplomatic standoff marks a historic break in relations, with Rwanda making it clear that it no longer has any interest in dealing with Belgium’s continued attempts to exert influence.
