KIGALI – President Paul Kagame has cautioned Belgium against interfering in Rwanda’s progress, accusing it of blaming Kigali for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s problems.
“Belgium has no right to lecture us on how to manage our country,” Kagame said during a Presidential Citizen Outreach event at BK Arena in Kigali.
Kagame’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between Rwanda and Belgium, with the latter aligning itself with the Kinshasa government and fueling ethnic violence in eastern DR Congo.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied allegations of backing rebel groups in eastern DR Congo, instead accusing Kinshasa of failing to address governance issues and root causes of the conflict.
Kagame emphasized that Rwanda and DR Congo share deep-rooted issues stemming from colonial rule, with Belgium playing a significant role in dividing the region.
“One of the misfortunes we have is having been colonised by a small country, similar in size to Rwanda, which partitioned Rwanda to match its own size,” Kagame said.
He pointed out that some Rwandans found themselves on the other side of the current borders, emphasizing that “it is not Rwanda that expelled them there. It is not Rwanda that chased people to Kisoro (Uganda), Masisi, and Rutshuru (DR Congo)”.
Kagame also accused Belgium of historical atrocities against Rwandans, saying “they killed Rwandans 30 years ago and have continued to return to finish off the survivors. We warned them before, and we are doing so again.”
The Rwandan President reiterated that Rwanda did not start the war it is being blamed for, but will resist the hidden agendas behind it.
“If Rwanda is to be blamed for problems created by countries unwilling to care for their people, we have no choice but to fight,” Kagame said.
Kagame also condemned what he termed “baseless sanctions” imposed by Western nations at Belgium’s urging, saying it was ironic that those responsible for the problem are the same ones calling for sanctions against Rwanda.
The President urged Rwandans to remain steadfast in their development journey despite external challenges, fostering unity and maintaining peace with others based on mutual respect.
