President Paul Kagame has warned Belgium, accusing it of blaming Rwanda for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) problems and mobilizing the international community to impose sanctions—despite its colonial role  being the root cause of the region’s longstanding conflict . He made  remarks on March 16, 2025, in Kigali at BK Arena during a citizen outreach event attended by over 8,000 people from across the country. In his speech, President Kagame condemned Belgium for mobilizing the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, citing the ongoing conflict between the DRC and

President Paul Kagame has warned Belgium, accusing it of blaming Rwanda for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) problems and mobilizing the international community to impose sanctions—despite its colonial role  being the root cause of the region’s longstanding conflict . He made  remarks on March 16, 2025, in Kigali at BK Arena during a citizen outreach event attended by over 8,000 people from across the country. In his speech, President Kagame condemned Belgium for mobilizing the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, citing the ongoing conflict between the DRC and the M23 rebel group. "I am going to warn Belgium. Belgium killed Rwanda, killed Rwandans over the past 30 years and beyond, and now seeks to finish off the survivors. We warned them before, and we are doing so again," he stated. President Kagame emphasized that the war in Congo is not Rwanda’s war but rather a consequence of colonial history, which forced many Rwandans to live beyond the country’s current borders. "This war in Congo, people have tried to make it Rwanda’s war, but it is not Rwanda’s war. Rwanda did not start this war; rather, what those who started it wanted, is what we are fighting against."

He argued that Rwanda was not responsible for their displacement. "It was not Rwanda that took them there. Rwanda did not move Rwandans to Kisoro in Uganda. Rwanda did not move Rwandans to Masisi, Rutshuru, and other places. Rwanda did not take them there." He added that if those countries wish to expel these people, they should also give them the land they live on. "If you claim to act in truth or seek peace, as all people do, then you must respect people’s rights. Without a doubt, when you deny people their rights, they will fight for them, that is the fire I was talking about" he said. Kagame criticized Belgium for siding with Kinshasa and publicly calling for sanctions against Rwanda. "But honestly, don’t you have any shame? Calling on the entire world to sanction Rwanda—a small country? Isn’t that disgraceful? Why don’t they leave us alone so we can take care of ourselves and live in peace?" He accused Belgium of targeting Rwanda long before the war in eastern Congo erupted, recalling how the Belgian government refused to accept Rwanda’s appointed ambassador, Vincent Karega. "We will remind them that this is not how things work. In our own way, even with limited means, we will stand up to them. I am talking about those who keep blaming us." He reminded Rwandans that after years of rebuilding their country, they remain committed to their identity. "We want to be Rwandans. We do not want to be Belgians."

The President emphasized that Rwanda has chosen the path of dignity, seeking peaceful relations with others while defending its territorial integrity when necessary. Tensions between Rwanda and Belgium escalated when the Belgian government refused to accept Rwanda’s appointed ambassador to Brussels, Vincent Karega, in July 2023—without prior notification to the Rwandan government. When M23 rebels took control of Goma and Bukavu in eastern DRC, Belgium became the leading European country advocating for sanctions against Rwanda, urging other nations and international bodies to take action. As a result, in February 2025, Rwanda announced the suspension of its development cooperation with Belgium, stating that Belgium had aligned itself with the DRC and was working to block Rwanda from accessing development aid, including funds from international organizations.

A little more informed. A little more connected.