Rwanda has announced its decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The move follows growing discord within the bloc, especially regarding Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Congo.
The dispute came to a head during an ECCAS summit held on Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. Rwanda, a longstanding member of the 11-nation bloc, had expected to take over the chairmanship of the regional body. However, ECCAS instead opted to extend Equatorial Guinea’s term as chair—a decision that Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned. Kigali characterized the move as a violation of its rights as a member state and evidence of the bloc being manipulated by the DRC.
Rwanda accused Congo of “instrumentalizing” ECCAS for its own political ends and said the organization’s current operations contradict its founding principles. “There is no justification for remaining in an organization whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles,” Rwanda said in a strongly worded statement.
The timing of Rwanda’s withdrawal is especially sensitive. The M23 rebel group, which the United Nations and various Western nations say receives support from Rwanda, has been involved in fierce clashes in eastern Congo throughout 2024. Kigali has repeatedly denied backing the rebels, asserting that its military presence near the border is a defensive measure against Congolese forces and Hutu militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The decision adds a new layer of complexity to international efforts to stabilize the mineral-rich Great Lakes region. The United States, which has expressed interest in brokering a peace deal between Rwanda and Congo, has also emphasized the potential for major Western investment in the region’s valuable resources—including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
Founded in the 1980s, ECCAS was intended to foster regional integration and collaboration on economic and security issues. Rwanda’s departure raises questions about the bloc’s unity and effectiveness in addressing the region’s pressing challenges. It remains unclear whether Kigali’s withdrawal will take immediate effect or be subject to further negotiations.
