The Government of Rwanda has announced that it has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced this on Monday.
It has also ordered all of Belgium’s diplomats to leave its territory within 48 hours.
The European country was accused of undermining Kigali during the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict.
“The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately,” a press statement released by the Rwandan Government read in part.
In retaliation, the Belgian Government announced that diplomats from the East African country are no longer welcome in Belgium.
“Belgium regrets the decision of Rwanda to cut off diplomatic relations with Belgium and to declare Belgium’s diplomats persona non grata,” Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on X.
“This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue.”
The DRC and Rwanda have been involved in a conflict since 2022.
The conflict, however, took a fresh turn when a Rwanda-backed armed group known as M23 seized some parts of Eastern DRC in the beginning of January.
The ongoing conflict between both countries has deepened a humanitarian crisis.
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, accused Belgium of advocating for sanctions against his country on Sunday.
