Rwandan nationals in Belgium will be seeking consular services from the Embassy at The Hague, Netherlands following the closure of Embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
Rwanda however clarified that the closure of its Embassy does not affect the existing visa regime or the status of Belgian citizens in Rwanda.
The Foreign Ministry said travel and visa regulations remain unchanged and that Belgian nationals can still travel freely to Rwanda and receive a visa on arrival, free of charge, for a 30-day stay, as per the existing visa policy.
“The closure marks a shift in Rwanda’s diplomatic presence in Europe but maintains its commitment to seamless consular services and continued cooperation with Belgium,” the statement added.
On March 17, Kigali instructed all Belgian diplomats in Rwanda to leave the country within 48 hours.
Kigali accuses Brussels of perpetuating “neocolonial delusions” and actions that undermine Rwanda’s national interests and regional stability.
The Rwandan government stated that the decision followed a careful evaluation of several factors, primarily related to Belgium’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — a country where Kigali accuses Brussels of having a long and controversial history, particularly regarding its negative impact on the East African region.
Kigali accused Belgium of taking sides in the regional conflict and using misinformation and manipulation to portray Rwanda negatively, thereby destabilizing both Rwanda and the wider region.
“Today, Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda, in an attempt to destabilize both Rwanda and the region,” Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.
