Belgian and Rwandan diplomats are expelled due to the Congo conflict

Relations between Rwanda and Belgium soured due to accusations of their respective involvement in the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and both countries announced the expulsion of their diplomats.

Kigali accused Brussels of “using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda” and announced that it was cutting diplomatic ties with the country, giving Belgian ambassadors 48 hours to go.

Maxime Prevot, Belgium’s foreign affairs minister, described the action as “disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue.”

He also stated that Brussels will declare Rwandan ambassadors persona non grata in retaliation.

In Congo, where the Rwandan government is alleged to have backed an M23 rebel attack in the country’s east, African officials have been working to create a sustainable ceasefire.