By staff writer, China Africa News
New York, Sept 23 — Rwanda and Belgium have restored diplomatic relations, ending an 18-month rupture between the two countries and reopening formal channels of communication.
The agreement was announced following a meeting between Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In a joint communiqué, the two governments said their embassies would resume operations, initially under the leadership of chargés d’affaires, allowing diplomatic and consular work to restart while the two sides work toward the appointment of new ambassadors.
The ministers said the decision followed months of discussions aimed at addressing differences and misunderstandings between the two countries.
Rwanda and Belgium also agreed to maintain an open and constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect, non-interference and engagement despite differences that may remain between them.
The restoration marks a step toward normalising relations between countries with longstanding historical, economic and people-to-people ties.
Following the announcement, Prévot said the restoration of diplomatic relations was the result of frank discussions with his Rwandan counterpart, stressing that renewed diplomatic ties would provide structured channels for continued dialogue.
Nduhungirehe, meanwhile, welcomed the restoration, saying the move reflected the two countries’ decision to resume relations and engage through diplomatic channels.
The diplomatic rupture had formally begun in March 2025, when Rwanda announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with Belgium.
The resumption of relations does not necessarily mean that all differences have been resolved. Instead, the two governments have agreed to restore diplomatic engagement and address outstanding issues through dialogue.
The move now clears the way for the reopening of the two embassies and a gradual return to full diplomatic representation.
