Rwanda and Belgium have agreed to restore diplomatic relations, severed in March 2025, marking a resumption of dialogue between Kigali and Brussels despite continuing differences over the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).
The decision to restore relations was taken on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, following talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers, Olivier Nduhungirehe and Maxime Prévot.
According to a joint statement, the two countries plan to reopen their respective embassies shortly. Initially, the missions will be headed by chargé d’affaires ad interim, pending the appointment of new ambassadors.
The restoration of diplomatic relations follows several meetings and informal contacts between the two foreign ministers in recent months. According to Kigali and Brussels, the exchanges provided an opportunity to address several areas of disagreement and misunderstanding in a constructive manner.
The two countries also welcomed the role played by Qatar, which facilitated the first meeting between their foreign ministers in Doha in June 2025.
Kigali and Brussels agreed to maintain an “open, frank and transparent” dialogue based notably on non-interference, mutual respect and constructive engagement. The new framework is intended to enable the two capitals to address bilateral disputes while continuing talks on their differences over international issues.
The restoration of relations does not, however, mean that differences over the crisis in eastern DR Congo have been resolved. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Brussels would continue to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo.
Belgium also intends to continue supporting the Doha and Washington peace processes and is calling on the various parties to honour the commitments made under those initiatives.
The diplomatic rupture between Kigali and Brussels occurred in March 2025 amid a sharp deterioration in relations over the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda has been accused by several international actors of supporting the M23, a charge rejected by the Rwandan authorities.
The restoration of diplomatic relations now gives the two countries official diplomatic channels through which to manage their differences and resume bilateral exchanges.
The announcement, made in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, therefore marks a return to institutional dialogue between Kigali and Brussels, without removing the disagreements that continue to divide them over the crisis in DR Congo.
TE/Sf/lb/as/APA