The diplomatic breakdown in March 2025 followed accusations that Belgium was taking sides against Rwanda in the ongoing crisis. In response, Kigali ordered Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. Belgium maintained its position in support of DRC’s territorial integrity, while Rwanda contended it was responding to security threats posed by armed militias operating alongside Congolese forces. The 18-month severance of ties highlighted the deepening rift between Kigali and Western governments over the conflict in the region.
Qatar played a central role in facilitating the rapprochement. In a joint statement, both countries thanked Qatar for hosting their first talks in Doha in June 2025, three months after the initial rupture. A Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stated that Doha has long been involved in the Great Lakes region, including mediating between the DRC, Rwanda, and the M23 armed group. The spokesperson noted that the June meeting between the two foreign ministers addressed underlying issues and led to further diplomatic contact, with both nations citing trust in Qatar’s record of working with them.
“Restoring diplomatic relations between states does not mean abandoning our position,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said. “We will continue to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.”
The restoration of ties does not signal a change in Belgium’s official stance on the DRC conflict. The renewed relationship will initially be managed through chargé d’affaires supported by small diplomatic teams, before the appointment of new ambassadors. Both governments stated that their future relationship would be guided by principles of non-interference, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. In recent months, the foreign ministers held a series of meetings and informal contacts to address differences and misunderstandings in a constructive spirit.
The diplomatic thaw occurs against a backdrop of continued instability in the DRC’s mineral-rich Kivu region. The AFC/M23 rebel alliance controls significant territory in North and South Kivu after capturing Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The United Nations and Western governments have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 group, an allegation Kigali denies. Rwanda maintains that its actions are defensive measures against armed Hutu militias. For both Belgium and Rwanda, the restoration creates formal channels for dialogue while leaving major disagreements over the Great Lakes conflict unresolved.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized its commitment to diplomacy in resolving global crises, from the African Great Lakes to the Gulf. The restoration of ties between Brussels and Kigali serves as a demonstration of Doha’s role in international peace efforts, leveraging its trusted position to mediate between conflicting parties. As the two nations move forward, the focus will remain on maintaining communication channels despite persistent geopolitical tensions in the region.
