Rwanda has severed ties with Belgium, citing historical grievances linked to colonial actions and complicity in past genocides. The Rwandan government underscores Belgium’s failure to uphold its responsibilities during its trusteeship and points to its recent actions that align with the DRC against Rwanda. The longstanding tensions emphasize unresolved issues from Belgium’s colonial history and its role during Rwanda’s violent past.
The Rwandan government recently severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, accusing Brussels of supporting the Democratic Republic of the Congo during an ongoing conflict and of mobilizing international sanctions against Kigali. Rwanda contends that issues with Belgium stem from a complex historical backdrop involving colonialism and genocide.
Rwanda’s grievances trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, linked to the Berlin Conference’s partitioning of Africa, which led to German and then Belgian colonization. During colonization, Rwanda experienced territorial reductions, with annexations to the Belgian Congo and Uganda, disrupting its internal cohesion.
Under the League of Nations and later the United Nations, Belgium assumed a trusteeship over Rwanda, tasked with promoting social progress and equality. In contrast, Belgium established a divisive political system that contradicted their assigned responsibilities, leading to increased tensions and conflict among Rwandans.
Following Belgium’s military victory over Germany, they enforced significant reforms in Rwandan customary governance and introduced detrimental identity classifications. This included assigning ethnic identities through mandatory identity cards, dismissing traditional leaders, and fostering hostility that culminated in the organized massacre of Tutsi populations, notably in 1959.
Belgium granted independence to Rwanda in 1962 amidst ongoing violence, which escalated into genocide in December 1963, supported by Belgian authorities. Numerous reports and diplomatic acknowledgments highlighted Belgium’s involvement and partiality towards the ruling Hutu regime, which engaged in systematic violence against Tutsis.
As the 1994 genocide unfolded, Belgium’s withdrawal of troops from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda severely hindered intervention efforts. Subsequent evaluations by the Belgian Senate acknowledged negligence in protecting civilians during the genocide, resulting in public apologies made by Belgian officials.
Despite these acknowledgment efforts and the humanitarian efforts made post-genocide, tensions persisted due to Belgium’s perceived support for anti-Rwandan narratives and failure to adhere to international resolutions condemning the genocide. Rwanda accuses Belgium of financing genocide denialist initiatives and remaining complicit with hostile propaganda from the DRC government.
Rwanda’s recent diplomatic rupture with Belgium underscores profound historical grievances rooted in colonialism, divisive governance, and complicity in genocide. The ongoing tensions exemplify Rwanda’s frustrations with Belgium’s failure to confront its historical responsibilities and its alleged support for hostile entities. Thus, the relationship between Rwanda and Belgium remains fraught, requiring significant attention to address the underlying issues effectively.
Original Source: www.ktpress.rw
