Rwanda has formally withdrawn its membership from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) following a diplomatic standoff with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over the conflict in the eastern part of the country.
The decision, which comes amid rising tensions between the two neighbouring nations, was announced after Rwanda was blocked from assuming the rotating chairmanship of ECCAS during a summit held on Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. The role, which rotates among the bloc’s 11 member states, was expected to be taken up by Rwanda this year.
In a statement, the Rwandan government said its rightful leadership position was intentionally undermined due to political interference by the DR Congo.
“[Our] right to take up the chairmanship… was deliberately ignored in order to impose the DRC’s diktat,” the statement read.
“Rwanda sees no justification for remaining in an organisation whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles and intended purpose.”
The development is unfolding against the backdrop of renewed efforts to de-escalate hostilities in eastern DR Congo, where Rwandan forces are accused of backing the M23 rebel group. A draft peace agreement mediated by the United States is reportedly being prepared and could be signed by both countries later this month.
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Meanwhile, a communique from the Congolese presidency welcomed the outcome of the ECCAS summit, stating that regional leaders had “acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda and ordered the aggressor country to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil.”
The presidency also noted that, given the prevailing circumstances, the chairmanship of the regional body would remain with Equatorial Guinea for the time being.
Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, weighed in on the matter, saying: “One cannot continually and voluntarily violate the principles that underpin our regional institutions and claim to want to preside over them.” He urged other regional blocs to adopt “a firmer stance against Rwanda.”
Rwanda has consistently rejected the accusations of involvement with the M23 rebels. Kigali maintains that its military deployments near the border are solely for defensive purposes, aimed at preventing the spillover of violence onto its territory.
Despite denials, international powers including the United States and France, along with the Congolese government, have accused Rwanda of directly supporting the Most.
A United Nations expert panel last year reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops had been fighting alongside the rebels in the DR Congo.
This marks the second time Rwanda is leaving ECCAS. The country previously exited the bloc in 2007, only to rejoin several years later.
ECCAS, established to promote economic integration and regional stability, now faces new uncertainty as one of its key members exits amid rising regional instability.
