Rwanda says cutting diplomatic ties with Belgium

Rwanda said Monday it had severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, saying the European nation had “consistently undermined" Kigali "during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

"The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately," said a statement from the foreign affairs ministry.

It ordered all Belgian diplomats to leave within 48 hours.

Belgium decried Rwanda's "disproportionate" severing of ties, and said it would impose tit-for-tat measures kicking out Kigali's diplomats.

"This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue. Belgium will take similar measures," foreign minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.