Belgium, Rwanda restore diplomatic ties
CAPTION: Belgium’s Maxime (L) with his Rwandan counterpart, Nduhungirehe in New York on Tuesday
By Agency
NEW YORK – Belgium and Rwanda have agreed to restore diplomatic relations, 18 months after a dispute over the war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo led them to expel each other’s diplomats and close their embassies.
In a joint statement dated September 22, the two governments said their embassies would reopen at a later date.
Each mission will initially be headed by a chargé d’affaires, supported by a diplomat or consular officer and a small technical team. The appointment of ambassadors will be considered subsequently.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced the agreement in New York, saying it was “the culmination of a process of frank discussions” with his Rwandan counterpart.
“I am convinced that we can set a positive agenda, mutually beneficial to our citizens,” he said.
The agreement does not resolve the dispute over eastern Congo. Prévot said the two countries had agreed on “the importance of systematic dialogue, including on the points of disagreement that remain, such as the conflict in eastern DRC.”
“Restoring diplomatic relations between states does not mean abandoning our position, but having structured channels for dialogue,” he said.
Belgium, he added, would “continue to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.”
Rwanda severed ties with Belgium on March 17, 2025, accusing Brussels of taking sides in the Congo conflict and working against Kigali internationally.
Belgium rejected the accusations. Both countries then ordered the other’s diplomats to leave.
The rupture came amid allegations that Rwanda supported the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo, which Kigali has denied.
In their joint statement, Belgium and Rwanda said they remained committed to “open, candid and transparent dialogue” on their differences.
They also agreed that “non-interference, mutual respect, and constructive engagement” would guide their future relations.
Prévot said Belgium would use its regional expertise to support mediation and continue urging parties to respect commitments made through the Doha and Washington peace processes.
The two governments thanked Qatar for facilitating their foreign ministers’ first meeting in Doha in June 2025.
The agreement restores a direct channel between Kigali and Brussels as efforts to end the fighting in eastern Congo continue.
Neither government gave a date for reopening its embassy.
