Rwanda has formally announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing what it described as deliberate political interference by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and complicity from certain member states.
The decision was disclosed on Saturday at the close of the 26th ordinary ECCAS summit, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente represented Kigali at the gathering, which ended with a significant diplomatic rupture.
In a statement issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government accused ECCAS of straying from its founding mandate. Rwanda claimed that its right to assume the bloc’s rotating presidency was deliberately bypassed in favor of what it called DRC’s imposed dominance.
“The purpose of the organization was clearly distorted,” the statement noted, emphasizing that Rwanda’s scheduled assumption of the rotating chair was deliberately obstructed to serve Kinshasa’s political objectives.
The statement also condemned Rwanda’s exclusion from the 22nd ordinary summit held in Kinshasa in 2023, which took place during the DRC’s tenure at the helm of ECCAS. Kigali argued that the regional bloc had failed to apply its own protocols and governance rules, further justifying its departure.
“Rwanda denounces the violation of its rights,” the ministry said. “Accordingly, the country sees no rationale for remaining in an institution whose operations no longer reflect its founding principles or intended mission.”
Shortly after Rwanda’s announcement, the DRC Presidency released a press statement early Sunday in response to the ongoing crisis in its eastern provinces. The DRC claimed that ECCAS member states had recognized acts of aggression by Rwanda and called for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops allegedly present on Congolese soil.
The summit also addressed the disputed ECCAS leadership transition. Rather than transferring the presidency to Rwanda as scheduled, member states agreed that Equatorial Guinea should continue holding the chairmanship until tensions between Rwanda and the DRC are resolved.
As of Sunday, ECCAS had not issued an official response to Rwanda’s withdrawal.
This development unfolds against a backdrop of growing hostilities between the two neighbors. The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has been involved in violent clashes in the eastern region of Congo. Kigali has consistently denied the allegations, blaming Kinshasa for failing to resolve internal governance and security issues.
Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS signals a deepening rift within the Central African bloc and raises concerns about the organization’s capacity to mediate regional disputes and maintain cohesion among its member states.