Kigali, June 8, 2025 – In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, Rwanda has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing ongoing disputes with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, primarily fueled by allegations of Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.
Rwanda’s move comes after a series of confrontations, including a recent offensive by M23 rebels, which the DRC and international observers have linked to Kigali’s backing. The ECCAS, an 11-member bloc aimed at fostering economic integration and political stability in Central Africa, was set to have Rwanda assume its chairmanship at a meeting scheduled for Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. However, Rwanda’s decision to exit the organization highlights the severity of the diplomatic fallout.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office issued a statement condemning Rwanda’s actions, noting that ECCAS members had “acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda and ordered the aggressor country to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil.” The statement reflects a broader regional consensus on the need for Rwanda to de-escalate its involvement in the conflict.
The M23 rebellion, which seized two of eastern Congo’s largest cities earlier this year, has resulted in thousands of deaths and raised fears of a full-scale regional war. Efforts by African leaders, along with the United States and Qatar, to broker a peace deal have so far been unsuccessful, further complicating the situation.
Rwanda, in its official statement, criticized the DRC for “instrumentalizing” ECCAS and argued that remaining in the bloc was untenable given its current functioning, which Rwanda believes contradicts the organization’s founding principles. The immediate impact of Rwanda’s withdrawal on ECCAS operations remains unclear, but it undoubtedly weakens the bloc’s unity and effectiveness at a critical juncture.
This development is part of a broader pattern of conflict in the region, with historical ties to the Rwandan Genocide and subsequent cross-border tensions. The DRC-Rwanda conflict, ongoing since 2022, involves accusations of mutual support for rebel groups, with Rwanda alleging that the DRC harbors the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic Hutu paramilitary group linked to the genocide. Conversely, the DRC denies these claims, while international reports confirm both sides’ allegations to varying degrees.
The withdrawal also occurs against the backdrop of other regional dynamics, such as Burundi’s deployment of troops to assist the DRC against M23, and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) facing criticism for its role in the conflict. The Congolese government has demanded MONUSCO’s departure, citing a failure to protect civilians, further complicating peace efforts.
As of 01:29 PM IST on Sunday, June 8, 2025, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes that diplomatic channels might yet yield a resolution. However, Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS marks a significant setback for regional cooperation and stability, potentially exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo and beyond.
