Belgium has turned to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in a bid to ease tensions with Rwanda and help defuse the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Belgium seeks Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s help to ease tensions with Rwanda
- Diplomatic overture aims to repair strained Belgium-Rwanda relations and resolve the eastern Congo conflict
- Belgium expresses regret over Rwanda’s decision to sever ties and accuses Kigali of reluctance to engage in dialogue
During his visit to Uganda, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot highlighted Ugada’s president, Museveni’s influence in the region, seeking his help to mend relations between Belgium and Rwanda.
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Prévot acknowledged that while Belgium still considers Rwanda a key regional player with the potential to resolve the conflict in eastern Congo, it cannot overlook Rwanda’s violation of Congo’s territorial integrity.
In addition to seeking Museveni’s help in defusing the Congo crisis, the meeting had a dual purpose: to leverage the veteran Ugandan leader’s influence in repairing the diplomatic fallout between Belgium and Rwanda.
This diplomatic overture comes amid a breakdown in Belgium-Rwanda relations, with Rwanda recently severing formal ties with Brussels.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who is currently touring Uganda, Burundi, and the DRC, described President Museveni as “a very valuable go-between” in efforts to resolve the eastern Congo conflict and mend strained Belgium-Rwanda relations.
Prévot emphasized that Museveni’s regional insight and respect among his peers make him well-suited to mediate. Notably, his visit excludes Rwanda, following Kigali’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Belgium.
Belgium-Rwanda diplomatic rift
The diplomatic rift between Rwanda and Belgium deepened in March when Kigali severed ties, accusing Brussels of aligning with the Democratic Republic of Congo and promoting “neocolonial delusions.”
Rwanda demanded that Belgian diplomats leave within 48 hours, prompting Brussels to reciprocate by declaring Rwandan diplomats unwelcome.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed regret on X, calling Rwanda’s actions “disproportionate” and reflecting Kigali’s reluctance to engage in dialogue when disagreements arise.
The breakdown in relations followed President Paul Kagame’s claim that Belgium was advocating for international sanctions against Rwanda due to its alleged military involvement in eastern DRC.
Belgium had accused the Rwandan government of playing a complicit role in the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further straining diplomatic ties between Kigali and Brussels.
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The allegations center on Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which has been accused of destabilizing eastern Congo through violent incursions, displacement of civilians, and disruption of regional peace efforts.
Belgian officials argued that Rwanda’s involvement—direct or indirect— exacerbated the humanitarian and security crisis in the region, undermining international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace.
Belgium went a step further by lobbying the European Union to impose penalties on Rwanda, its former colony.
