The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday against three top Rwandan military commanders and the CEO of Rwanda’s state mining agency over the M23 armed group’s offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The move coincided with Rwanda severing diplomatic ties with Belgium, which had been a driving force behind the sanctions. In response, Belgium expelled Kigali’s diplomats in a tit-for-tat measure.
M23, an armed group backed by Rwanda, launched a rapid offensive earlier this year, seizing two major cities in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The EU said its sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, target Rwandan special forces and two military divisions accused of deploying troops to support M23. Additionally, the CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board and a gold refinery in Kigali were sanctioned for allegedly exploiting the conflict.
The EU also penalised five senior M23 leaders, including the group’s head, Bertrand Bisimwa.
Belgium, which formerly colonized both Rwanda and the DRC, has led efforts to penalize Kigali for its alleged involvement in the conflict. A United Nations report claims Rwanda effectively controls M23 and has deployed around 4,000 troops in the DRC.
Kigali has repeatedly denied any involvement, arguing that it faces security threats from ethnic Hutu militias operating in the DRC. On Monday, the Rwandan government announced it was cutting ties with Belgium, accusing it of taking a biased stance against Rwanda. All Belgian diplomats in Rwanda must leave within 48 hours.
Belgium denounced Kigali’s response as “disproportionate” and announced reciprocal diplomatic expulsions.
