Rwanda has suspended its development cooperation with Belgium.
The Rwandan Foreign Ministry announced the move on Tuesday and accused Belgium of leading efforts to block Kigali’s access to international development financing.
In a statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Belgium of siding with the DRC in the ongoing DRC conflict.
Rwanda suspends development cooperation with Belgium. Photo: Courtesy.
The statement moreover added that the European nation is politicizing the matter and stifling development grants.
“No country in the region should have its development finance jeopardized as a tool of leverage. Punitive, one-sided measures can only be construed as unwarranted external interference that undermines the African-led mediation process, and thereby risks delaying the peaceful resolution of the conflict,” read the statement in part.
The Ministry therefore noted that there is no longer a basis for development cooperation with Belgium and Rwanda is suspending the remainder of the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium.
Rwanda further maintained that development partnerships must be based on mutual respect, the nation will continue to ensure maximum accountability for all the funding it receives.
Rwanda’s new move comes a few days after the European Parliament urged the European Union to freeze direct budget support for Rwanda until it breaks links with the Tutsi-led M23 rebels.
