Rwanda Withdraws from Economic Community of Central African States Over Dispute with DR Congo

Rwanda has withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), accusing the regional body of siding with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid an ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

The decision followed ECCAS’s move to extend Equatorial Guinea’s presidency for another year. Rwanda, which was next in line for the rotating leadership, was bypassed during a summit held on Saturday.

Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country could no longer remain in a bloc that no longer upholds its founding principles. It accused the DRC of manipulating the organisation with the support of certain member states.

An ECCAS commissioner told AFP that the atmosphere at the summit was tense. Officials from the DRC reportedly said they would not attend community events if Rwanda assumed the presidency.

At the heart of the dispute is the M23 rebel group. United Nations and United States analysts say the rebels are backed by Rwanda, a claim the country has consistently denied. Since the beginning of 2025, M23 has taken control of large parts of North Kivu province. Several key towns in the region came under the control of the rebels. The violence has also forced over a million people from their homes and claimed thousands of lives.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of fuelling the conflict and supporting a group responsible for serious abuses. Rwanda claims that the DRC is utilising regional and international platforms to shift blame for its internal shortcomings.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, described the situation as “unbelievable and unacceptable” in a post on X.

In March, the presidents of both countries met in Qatar to discuss a possible ceasefire. Talks, also supported by the United States, are ongoing. However, no agreement has been reached.

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