{
  "id": 9510538,
  "title": "Belgium, Rwanda resume diplomatic relations after DRC conflict dispute",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/belgium-rwanda-resume-diplomatic-relations-after-drc-conflict-dispute",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T07:16:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/belgium-rwanda-resume-diplomatic-relations-after-drc-conflict-dispute/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgium and Rwanda have reestablished diplomatic ties after a 18-month break stemming from a conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The decision was announced jointly by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Rwanda’s foreign ministry on X, accompanied by photographs of the two officials in New York during the UN General Assembly. The suspension of diplomatic relations began in March 2025 when both nations expelled each other's diplomats, primarily due to tensions surrounding the conflict in Rwanda's neighboring DRC. Rebel group AFC/M23, which holds control over significant portions of North and South Kivu provinces following their 2025 offensive, has been widely attributed to Rwanda, a claim Kigali strongly denies. Rwanda maintains that it is protecting itself against the threat posed by a Hutu militia, asserting that it is engaging in combat with Congolese forces. Both countries are former Belgian colonies, adding a historical dimension to their recent reconciliation. In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the foreign ministers of both nations disclosed that they had engaged in multiple meetings and informal contacts over the past months to resolve their differences and clear up misunderstandings in a constructive manner. They also expressed gratitude towards Qatar for its role in facilitating the initial meeting in June 2025, and announced their plans to reopen their respective embassies in the near future. Prevot highlighted the significance of resuming diplomatic relations, stating in a tweet that it represents a crucial step in a world characterized by escalating tensions, emphasizing that restoring diplomatic channels does not entail abandoning one's position, but rather establishing structured dialogue avenues. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.",
  "summary": "Belgium and Rwanda have resumed diplomatic relations 18 months after breaking ties due to a dispute over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Rwanda’s foreign ministry both posted the news on X alongside photos of Prevot and his Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungirehe in New York, where the … The post Belgium, Rwanda resume diplomatic…",
  "key_points": [
    "Belgium and Rwanda restore diplomatic ties after 18-month break",
    "Conflict in DRC and AFC/M23 tensions led to suspension",
    "Foreign ministers to reopen embassies soon"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Resuming diplomatic ties between Belgium and Rwanda signals a de-escalation of tensions in the region, allows for structured dialogue, and paves the way for reopening embassies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}