Rwanda withdraws from Central African bloc over alleged manipulation by DRC

Kigali, June 7, 2025 — Rwanda has announced its immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing what it described as political manipulation and bias led by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), with the backing of unnamed member states.

In a strongly worded statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused ECCAS of failing to uphold its founding principles, particularly after Kigali was denied the rotating chairmanship during the 26th Ordinary Summit held in Malabo — a role Rwanda says is guaranteed under Article 6 of the ECCAS Treaty.

“Rwanda deplores the instrumentalization of ECCAS by the Democratic Republic of Congo… [and] sees no justification for remaining in an organisation whose current functioning runs counter to its original mandate,” the statement read.

Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe took to social media to express frustration, calling DR Congo’s actions “unbelievable and unacceptable” while criticising ECCAS’s involvement in the eastern DRC crisis — an issue he says falls under the jurisdiction of the EAC, SADC, and African Union-appointed mediators.

Rwanda also revealed that it had protested its exclusion from ECCAS events in a letter to the Chairperson of the African Union. Still, no response was received, further deepening Kigali’s mistrust.

Background:

• ECCAS is a regional bloc of 11 Central African countries.

• Relations between Rwanda and DR Congo have deteriorated amid claims that Kigali supports the M23 rebel group in North Kivu — allegations Rwanda denies.

• Recent peace talks, including those in Doha and Washington, have yielded limited results so far

  The withdrawal signals a major diplomatic rift in the region and raises concerns over the future of regional integration and conflict resolution mechanisms within ECCAS.