NAIROBIKENYA – Belgium says it is criticising Rwanda for regretting his decision to cut off diplomatic ties and attempting to engage in dialogue to resolve differences in Kigali.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Prebott responded on Monday and said the European state would take mutual measures, including expelling Rwandan diplomats and reviewing cooperation agreements.
“This is disproportionate and shows that when they oppose Rwanda, they are not engaged in dialogue. Belgium will take similar steps: calling the Rwanda Charge de Affairs, declaring the Rwandan diplomat Persona Non Grata and condemning the government’s cooperation agreement.
Rwanda previously denounced Belgium for neocolonial interference, regional instability and tolerating denial of genocide, and ordered Belgian diplomats to leave within 48 hours.
“Belgium is adjacent to the ongoing regional conflict, and was systematically mobilized against Rwanda at international forums and used lies and manipulation to promote hostility towards our country,” the Rwandan Foreign Ministry said.
The government further alleged that Belgium allowed its territory to be used by groups that maintain the denial of genocide and genocide ideology.
Rwanda also referenced Belgian colonial history and its role in the ethnic sector that led to the genocide against Tutsi in 1994.
“Rwanda is committed to protecting national interests and dignity, supporting sovereignty, peace and mutual respect,” read the statement.
Rwanda further criticized Belgium for allowing its territory to be used by groups that “maintain the denial of genocide and the genocide ideology.”
Kigali argued that decisions are necessary to protect the national interests and dignity of Rwandans, and to support the principles of sovereignty, peace and mutual respect.
The move comes a month after Kigali announced it would halt development cooperation with Belgium, and the European state denounced its major efforts to block Kigali’s access to international development financing.
The decision comes after the European Parliament urged the European Union to freeze direct budgetary support in Rwanda until it broke its link with the TUTS-led M23 rebels and granted humanitarian access to rebellion-controlled areas.
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In a strongly expressed statement, Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry condemned Belgium’s alleged role in what is called an “aggressive campaign” alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to prevent Rwanda from securing development funds from multilateral institutions.
Kigali criticized Belgium for taking a political stance in the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, where the Congolese and allies are fighting the M23 rebels, claiming that politicization of development funds is unfair.
“Belgium has made a political decision to choose this aspect of the conflict, which is right, but the development of politicization is clearly incorrect,” the statement read.
“Country in this region should not put development finance at risk as a leverage tool.”
