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Rwanda severed 30 years of diplomatic relations with its former colonial ruler yesterday for “taking sides” in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry said that after “careful consideration” of Belgium’s “pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions” it would require all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.
Belgium called the escalation “disproportionate” and expelled all of Rwanda’s diplomats.
Congo and Western countries have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, who have made considerable advances into Congo’s mineral-rich east since January. Rwanda denies it supports the rebel group.
The EU also sanctioned nine individuals in connection with the conflict yesterday, including three Rwandan military commanders and the head of its state mining agency.
The Congolese government and M23 are due to meet today for peace talks.
Photo credit: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/Getty Images
