Rwanda has officially suspended its development cooperation with Belgium, specifically the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program, due to escalating tensions over regional politics, particularly Belgium’s stance on the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced this decision in a statement, accusing Belgium of “choosing a side” in the DRC conflict and “politicizing development” by attempting to sabotage Rwanda’s access to development finance, including through multilateral institutions.
Rwanda’s government claims that Belgium’s actions undermine regional mediation efforts led by the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to resolve the crisis in eastern DRC. The statement emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to national security and a peaceful resolution, rejecting what it describes as Belgium’s interference and efforts to leverage development finance as a tool of pressure. Rwanda further stated that this suspension reflects a lack of “sound basis” for continued cooperation under the current circumstances, while reaffirming its openness to partnerships grounded in mutual respect.
Belgium has historically been one of Rwanda’s significant bilateral donors, contributing around 44 million euros in official development assistance in 2022, supporting sectors like health, agriculture, urban development, and social protection. The now-suspended 2024-2029 program was part of this broader cooperation framework. The diplomatic rift follows Belgium’s criticism of Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC, a claim Rwanda consistently denies despite accusations from the DRC, the United Nations, and several Western nations.
This move comes amid broader international pressure on Rwanda, including calls from the European Parliament on February 13, 2025, to freeze EU aid and suspend a minerals agreement over Rwanda’s purported ties to M23. Belgium itself has been vocal in urging the EU to reconsider its engagements with Rwanda, notably pushing for the suspension of a 2024 EU-Rwanda minerals deal after M23’s capture of Goma in eastern DRC. Rwanda’s suspension of the aid program appears to be a preemptive strike, signaling defiance against what it perceives as coercive diplomacy.
The situation remains fluid, with no official response from Belgium reported as of the latest updates on February 18, 2025. There is a mix of support for Rwanda’s decision among some analysts , saying it is a stand against Western hypocrisy, and others highlighting the regional security stakes. However, these sentiments are inconclusive without further official developments. The suspension marks a significant shift in Rwanda-Belgium relations, with potential implications for Rwanda’s development funding and the ongoing DRC conflict.
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