Rwanda has announced its intention to withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a move that highlights escalating diplomatic rifts in the region, particularly over the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kigali had expected to take over the rotating chairmanship of the 11-member regional bloc during a summit held on Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. However, the position remained with the host nation, prompting Rwanda’s foreign ministry to issue a sharp rebuke. The ministry condemned the decision as a “violation of Rwanda’s rights” and accused the bloc of straying from its founding principles.
In a strongly worded statement, Rwanda decried what it called Congo’s “instrumentalisation” of ECCAS and stated that there was “no justification for remaining in an organisation whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles.” It remains unclear whether Rwanda’s withdrawal will take effect immediately.
The move comes amid mounting regional tensions over the activities of the M23 rebel group, which captured key cities in eastern Congo earlier this year. The DRC, alongside the United Nations and several Western powers, has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 insurgents with troops and weapons. Kigali has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that its military actions are acts of self-defence against Congolese forces and hostile militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
In a separate statement, the office of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi said ECCAS members had “acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda” and demanded that Rwandan troops withdraw from Congolese territory.
The recent offensives have led to thousands of deaths and growing fears of a broader regional war. International mediation efforts, led by African leaders along with Washington and Doha, are ongoing in hopes of brokering a peace deal.
The US government has expressed interest in securing an agreement that would not only stabilise the region but also open the door to significant Western investment. Eastern Congo is home to vast reserves of strategic minerals such as tantalum, cobalt, lithium, copper, and gold—resources critical to global technology and energy industries.
Established in the 1980s, ECCAS was formed to promote economic integration and regional cooperation on security and development issues. Rwanda’s departure, if finalised, marks a significant blow to the bloc’s cohesion at a time when unity is urgently needed to address one of Africa’s most volatile conflicts.
Melissa Enoch
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