Rwanda and Belgium have restored diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture tied to disputes over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with both nations agreeing to reopen embassies and resume formal dialogue. The decision, announced following talks on September 22 between Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot, marks the end of a diplomatic standoff that began in March 2025. Rwanda had expelled Belgian diplomats in March 2025, prompting Belgium to declare Rwandan envoys persona non grata, severing formal ties amid heightened tensions over the M23 rebel group’s advances in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The breakdown in relations stemmed from conflicting accusations over the DRC conflict. Belgium and other Western nations alleged Rwanda supported the M23, a claim Kigali consistently denied. Rwanda, in turn, accused Belgium of interfering in regional affairs and imposing measures against it. Despite the rupture, diplomatic contacts persisted, with Nduhungirehe and Prévot holding multiple meetings and informal discussions since mid-2025. A joint statement highlighted that these engagements addressed “differences and misunderstandings in a constructive spirit,” crediting Qatar for facilitating their first formal meeting in Doha in June 2025.
With ties restored, Rwanda and Belgium pledged to maintain open channels for dialogue, emphasizing principles of non-interference, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. However, the agreement does not resolve underlying disagreements over the DRC conflict or other international issues. Both nations will initially operate embassies under chargé d’affaires ad interim, with plans to appoint ambassadors through mutual agreement. Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium will also be accredited to the European Union, signaling continued multilateral engagement. The move aims to reestablish regular diplomatic interactions after over a year of strained relations, though regional stability remains contingent on resolving the DRC’s protracted conflict.
The restoration of diplomatic ties underscores the complex interplay between regional security and international diplomacy in East Africa. While the immediate crisis has been averted, the M23 conflict and broader DRC instability continue to test the resilience of cross-border cooperation. Both nations reiterated their commitment to addressing differences through dialogue, even as they navigate divergent perspectives on how to advance peace and security in the region. The resumption of formal relations provides a framework for ongoing negotiations but leaves unresolved the core challenges driving their earlier confrontation.