Kigali, 18 February 2025 – The Government of Rwanda has announced the suspension of its development cooperation with Belgium, citing Belgium’s alleged efforts to obstruct Rwanda’s access to international development financing.
In a statement issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Rwandan government accused Belgium, in collaboration with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), of spearheading a campaign aimed at restricting Rwanda’s access to multilateral development funds.
The statement strongly condemned Belgium’s decision to politicize development aid, arguing that using development financing as a tool for political leverage is inappropriate. The Rwandan government asserted that such punitive and unilateral measures undermine the African-led mediation process mandated by the African Union (AU) and the EAC-SADC Summit, ultimately delaying peace efforts in eastern DRC.
Consequently, Rwanda has decided to terminate the remainder of its 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium, citing an eroded foundation for continued cooperation.
Rwanda’s leadership reaffirmed its stance against external pressure or coercion that could jeopardize national security. The government emphasized its commitment to maintaining secure borders and eliminating violent ethnic extremism in the region. Additionally, Rwanda called for a lasting resolution to the ongoing cycles of conflict, attributing the instability to what it described as the failure of the DRC government and the international community to dismantle the UN-sanctioned FDLR militia and uphold minority rights.
The Rwandan government highlighted the necessity of mutual respect in development partnerships and reaffirmed its commitment to accountability in managing development funds. It called on all stakeholders to fully support the AU/EAC/SADC-led mediation efforts as the primary pathway to achieving sustainable peace and security in the region.
