Belgian diplomats have 48 hours to leave Rwanda

Serious diplomatic incident between Rwanda and Belgium. Kigali has informed Brussels that Rwanda is severing its diplomatic ties with Belgium. Diplomats have 48 hours to leave the country.

Rwanda, a former Belgian colony, has tumultuous relations with Belgium. The relationship between the two countries has escalated since the 1994 Tutsi genocide, which claimed the lives of 10 Belgian peacekeepers. By not siding with Kigali in the conflict in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which involves Congolese forces against the M23 rebels and the Rwandan army, Belgium has angered President Paul Kagame.

Brussels has supported the adoption of sanctions in the European Union Council against 10 individuals deemed responsible for the situation in the DRC. The Rwandan Foreign Minister has indicated the severing of diplomatic relations with Belgium. Thus, all Belgian diplomats must leave the country by Wednesday. Despite considering this reaction "disproportionate," Belgium has no choice but to send back Rwandan diplomats, who are now unwanted...

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Le Soir with Belga – Picture: © picture alliance / Zoonar | daniel0Z)