Rwanda and Belgium have agreed to restore diplomatic relations, reopening a channel that was severed in March 2025 following a sharp dispute over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The agreement was announced on 22 September by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot. The two governments said the decision followed several meetings and informal contacts between their foreign ministers.
They also acknowledged Qatar’s role in facilitating the first meeting between the ministers in Doha in June 2025. Rwanda and Belgium said they would reopen their respective embassies, restoring formal diplomatic channels between the two countries.
The restoration does not remove the substantive differences that contributed to the rupture. The joint statement commits both governments to maintaining open, candid and transparent dialogue, guided by principles including non-interference, mutual respect and constructive engagement.
The diplomatic dispute was closely connected to wider tensions over the conflict in eastern DRC. Rwanda has repeatedly rejected allegations that it supports the M23 armed group, while the United Nations and several governments have accused Kigali of providing military support to the movement. Rwanda has disputed those allegations and has pointed to broader regional security concerns, including armed groups operating from eastern DRC.
Rwanda severed diplomatic relations with Belgium on 17 March 2025, accusing Brussels of consistently undermining the country and taking positions that Kigali regarded as hostile. Belgium subsequently responded by expelling Rwandan diplomats.
The restoration of diplomatic ties therefore represents a return to formal engagement rather than a resolution of all outstanding differences. For both governments, reopened diplomatic channels provide a framework for addressing bilateral issues while continuing dialogue over the wider political and security challenges affecting the Great Lakes region.
