Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations after an 18 month rupture linked to disagreements over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to CNBC Africa. The decision was announced on September 22, 2026, by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two countries said their respective embassies would reopen in the near future, initially operating with small teams led by chargé d’affaires before ambassadorial appointments are pursued. The restoration follows months of meetings and informal contacts between the two foreign ministers, with both governments crediting Qatar for facilitating their first meeting in Doha in June 2025.
The diplomatic breakdown began in March 2025 as tensions intensified over the war in eastern DRC. Belgium had criticised Rwanda over its alleged support for the AFC/M23 armed group, which has captured significant territory in North and South Kivu, including Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda denies backing the group and says its security concerns are linked to the presence of a Hutu militia operating in the region alongside Congolese forces. Reuters reported that both countries expelled each other’s diplomats in March 2025 as the dispute escalated. The renewed relationship does not resolve those differences, with the joint statement explicitly acknowledging that disagreements over eastern DRC remain.
The restoration creates a formal diplomatic channel between Brussels and Kigali at a time when international efforts to address the eastern DRC conflict continue. Belgium said it would maintain its position on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC while supporting mediation efforts and encouraging adherence to commitments under the Doha and Washington processes. For Rwanda, reopening diplomatic missions restores direct channels for engagement with Belgium and the European Union, while both governments have committed to principles of non interference, mutual respect and constructive engagement. The move therefore represents a resumption of formal bilateral relations rather than a settlement of the wider disagreements surrounding the DRC conflict.
