Rwanda has cut ties with its former Colonial master Belgium accusing the European country of fuelling anti-Rwanda sentiment globally over the war in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo DRC.
The East African country said the decision was taken as part of efforts to safeguard its national interests which it believes are under threat from Belgium which it accuses of attempting to sustain a colonial hold on the African continent.
“The Government of Rwanda notified the Government of Belgium today of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately. Rwanda’s decision has been taken after careful consideration of several factors, all linked with Belgium’s pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions,” said the Rwandan government in a statement.
Among others Rwanda believes Belgium has picked a side in the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC.
“Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilise against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda, in an attempt to destabilise both Rwanda and the region,” said the government.
While the role of Belgium in the current conflict is yet to be verified, historically the country stands accused of destabilising Africa from the days of slave trade including the beheading then Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba by King Leopold II, a merciless ruler of Belgium who ruthlessly killed tens of thousands of Africans including leaders.
Belgium is yet to be held accountable for or express any remorse for the brutality it unleashed on Africans over centuries.
Rwanda also believes Belgium is harbouring and aiding groupings it said were responsible for the 1994 genocide and giving them platform to continue undermining the East African country’s current government.
The move comes as no surprise as more allies of Rwanda in Europe turn on the country over its backing (particularly arming and funding) of the M23 rebel movement which is waging a war against the government of President Felix Tshisekedi.
Rwanda has given all Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country declaring them persona non grata and the Belgian foreign affairs minister Maxime Prevot said the country will retaliate by also expelling all Rwanda diplomats.
South Africa and Rwanda maintain formal relations albeit increasingly tense as a result of the war in DRC which South Africa was caught up in as part of SADC and UN peacekeeping missions that came under attack from Rwandan-backed rebels with 14 South African soldiers killed and scores injured.