Belgium has summoned the chargé d’affaires of Rwanda’s embassy in Brussels following claims that M23 rebels have taken control of Goma, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement on X, Belgium’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its stance, demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and an end to any support for the M23 rebel group.
In response, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe accused Belgium of partiality, alleging that it holds responsibility for the crisis in Congo. He criticized Belgium’s “silence and inaction” regarding Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s hostile rhetoric against Rwanda and the Congolese army’s alleged cooperation with the UN-sanctioned Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group active in eastern Congo.
Belgium condemned the M23’s actions as a serious violation of the ceasefire, warning of severe humanitarian consequences.
Meanwhile, protests erupted in Kinshasa, with demonstrators targeting several embassies, including Belgium’s, where a gate was set ablaze.
While Congo and its allies accuse Rwanda of backing the M23, Kigali denies any involvement. The rebel group claims to be defending Congolese Tutsis, who argue they face discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi community.