Rwanda, EU ties deteriorate over Congo conflict

The EU imposed sanctions on officials linked to Rwanda which cut its diplomatic ties with Belgium over the conflict opposing the DRC to the Tutsi-led M23 rebels.

The sanctions targeted M23 political leader Bertrand Bisimwa and Rwandan army commanders, as well as chief executive of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board and Gasabo Gold Refinery in Kigali, which the EU accused of illicitly exporting natural resources from Congo.

The sanctions came a day ahead of the launch Tuesday of peace talks in Angola between the DRC and the M23 rebels.

Separately, Rwanda cut ties with Belgium, whom it accuses of spreading a false image of Rwanda’s role in the DRC conflict. Belgium reciprocated by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non-grata.

Germany and the UK had previously cut aid to Rwanda, while urging it to stop backing the M23 rebels, who took strategic towns in the DRC’s east.

Rwanda has often denied supporting the M23 rebels. The DRC urged the West to put pressure on Rwanda and warned the conflict could spill over.

The UN Security Council has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a resolution adopted in February 2025, the Council strongly condemned the ongoing offensive by M23 rebels and called on the Rwanda Defense Forces to stop supporting the armed group and withdraw from Congolese territory.