Rwanda and Belgium have agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies, ending an 18-month diplomatic rupture triggered by disagreements over Belgium’s position on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The agreement was announced on September 22 in a joint statement 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.
Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium on March 17, 2025, ordering Belgian diplomats to leave the country. The move came a month after Kigali suspended development cooperation with Belgium, accusing Brussels of taking sides in the conflict in eastern DR Congo and undermining Rwanda’s access to development financing.
Belgium responded by expelling Rwandan diplomats, with the diplomatic dispute unfolding as fighting in eastern DR Congo intensified. The conflict has centered in part on the M23 armed group, which the Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda, the United Nations and several Western governments of receiving support from Rwanda.
Kigali has repeatedly denied supporting M23 and has cited security concerns linked to armed groups operating in eastern Congo.
The disagreement between Rwanda and Belgium formed part of a wider diplomatic dispute surrounding the Great Lakes region, where efforts to end the fighting have involved African regional organizations as well as international partners.
Under the new agreement, the Rwandan and Belgian embassies will be reopened “in the near future”.
Initially, each mission will be headed by a chargé d’affaires ad interim, supported by a diplomat or consular officer and a small technical team. The two countries will later seek accreditation for ambassadors.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium will also be accredited to the European Union.
The two foreign ministers said the restoration followed a series of meetings and informal contacts over recent months during which they addressed their differences and misunderstandings.
They thanked Qatar for facilitating their first meeting in Doha in June 2025. Qatar has also been involved in diplomatic efforts around the wider Rwanda-DR Congo dispute.
“Belgium and Rwanda reaffirm their commitment to maintaining an open, candid and transparent dialogue,” the joint statement said, adding that the two sides recognize dialogue as necessary for addressing bilateral differences and discussing disagreements on international issues.
The countries also agreed to base their renewed relations on non-interference, mutual respect and constructive engagement.
The restoration brings formal diplomatic channels between Rwanda and Belgium back into operation after more than a year of strained relations.
Belgium has historically been an important partner for Rwanda in development cooperation and other areas. At the same time, relations between the two countries also carry the legacy of Belgium’s colonial rule over Rwanda.
The reopening of the embassies does not remove the wider disagreements surrounding eastern DR Congo. However, it restores a formal channel through which Kigali and Brussels can engage on their bilateral relationship and their differing positions on regional and international issues.
