Rwanda established diplomatic ties with Belgium, saying European countries were “consistently destroyed” by European countries in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Brussels has been calling on European countries to approve Rwanda's support for the M23, a rebel group at the Congo Doctor Crisis Centre.
Authorities in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, gave Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.
Belgium, a former colonial force, said he would respond to the measures and put Rwanda's decision “disproportionately”.
Despite the United Nations and the United States' claims, Rwanda denies support for M23.
Kigali accused Brussels of trying to “maintain its new colonial delusions” in a statement Monday.
“Belgium has clearly taken convenience in regional conflicts and continues to systematically mobilize Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to ensure unreasonable hostile opinions in Rwanda in an attempt to undermine Rwanda and the region,” the statement said.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot responded to Rwanda’s measures on social media: “This is disproportionate and shows that they are reluctant to have a conversation when we disagree with Rwanda.”
Prevot said Belgian Rwandan diplomats will be declared “Non Grata role”.
The statement may lead to the removal of diplomatic status and often lead to the deportation or withdrawal of the approval of the envoy.
Congolese authorities say that since the beginning of the year, about 7,000 people have been killed in the fight between M23 and the Congo Doctor in the east of the country.
According to the United Nations Children’s Agency, 850,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict increased in January.
Over the past two months, M23 has controlled two key cities – Goma and Bucavo.
Some assistance has been provided to the country in order to force Rwanda to withdraw support for the M23 UK.
Last month, the UN Security Council demanded that the M23 end hostilities and Rwanda should bring its troops out of the Congolese Doctor.
Before Kigali became ties with Brussels, Rwandan President Paul Kagame vowed that his country would “stand up” Belgium.
“We will ask [Belgium]:'Who are you? Who takes you in charge of us? Rwandans believe in God, but does God really take these people to be responsible for Rwanda?
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