President Paul Kagame has strongly cautioned Belgium against interfering in Rwanda’s affairs, accusing it of fueling instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and attempting to shift the blame onto Rwanda. Speaking at a Presidential Citizen Outreach event at BK Arena in Kigali on March 16, Kagame denounced Belgium’s historical role in dividing the region and its recent push for Western-led sanctions against Rwanda.
He highlighted Belgium’s colonial legacy, which he said was the root cause of many regional conflicts, including the forced displacement of Rwandans into neighboring Uganda and DR Congo. Kagame argued that Rwanda is unfairly accused of meddling in Congo’s affairs, when in reality, its presence in eastern DR Congo is a consequence of colonial-era border manipulations.
“One of our misfortunes is being colonized by a country as small as Rwanda,” Kagame remarked. “Belgium partitioned Rwanda to match its own size, leaving many Rwandans on the other side of the border. But it was not Rwanda that put them there.”
The Rwandan leader criticized Belgium’s continued involvement in ethnic tensions and its alignment with the Kinshasa government, stating that Western powers, influenced by Belgium, ignore the real issues while imposing unjust sanctions on Rwanda.
“It is ironic that the same people responsible for these historical injustices are the ones calling for sanctions against Rwanda,” Kagame said. “And when asked for justification, they simply say, ‘We were told by the Belgians to do so.’”
Kagame clarified it that while Rwanda is not seeking conflict, it will not hesitate to defend itself against foreign agendas. Rwanda, he stated, has no involvement in Congo’s governance failures and will resist attempts to scapegoat the region’s instability.
Urging Rwandans to remain steadfast, he called on citizens to uphold their national identity, independence, and dignity. “We are not subjects of colonizers,” he asserted. “We choose the path of dignity, peace, and self-reliance.”
As Rwanda continues its development journey, Kagame’s firm stance reflects the country’s commitment to sovereignty, even in the face of growing external pressures.
