Rwanda has left the Economic Community of Central African States. The country says the Democratic Republic of Congo took control of the group with help from other member nations. Rwanda's foreign ministry released a statement Saturday night that accused Congo of breaking the organization's rules and damaging Rwanda's rights. The ministry called this behavior unacceptable and harmful to the group's mission. Rwanda decided it could not stay part of an organization that works against its basic principles.
The latest fight happened at a meeting held in Malabo where Rwanda should have taken over leadership duties. According to the organization's treaty, Rwanda had the right to lead the group next. Congo stopped this from happening to push its agenda forward instead. Rwanda says this pattern of unfair treatment started earlier when Congo blocked Rwanda from attending a 2023 summit in Kinshasa. The organization did nothing to fix these problems or punish Congo for breaking the rules.
Rwanda and Congo have fought over many issues for years after the 1994 genocide. Armed groups operate near their shared border and cause ongoing security problems. Congo blames Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebel group while Rwanda accuses Congo of protecting FDLR militia members who helped carry out the genocide. Both countries deny these charges but continue to trade accusations at international meetings. The fight over who leads the regional organization shows how deep their disagreement has become.
The latest fight happened at a meeting held in Malabo where Rwanda should have taken over leadership duties. According to the organization's treaty, Rwanda had the right to lead the group next. Congo stopped this from happening to push its agenda forward instead. Rwanda says this pattern of unfair treatment started earlier when Congo blocked Rwanda from attending a 2023 summit in Kinshasa. The organization did nothing to fix these problems or punish Congo for breaking the rules.
Rwanda and Congo have fought over many issues for years after the 1994 genocide. Armed groups operate near their shared border and cause ongoing security problems. Congo blames Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebel group while Rwanda accuses Congo of protecting FDLR militia members who helped carry out the genocide. Both countries deny these charges but continue to trade accusations at international meetings. The fight over who leads the regional organization shows how deep their disagreement has become.
