Rwanda Withdraws from Central African Bloc over DRC Chairmanship Dispute

Rwanda has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing a diplomatic dispute over the bloc’s leadership and accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of manipulating the organization with support from certain member states. Rwanda protested that its right to assume the rotating chairmanship, guaranteed under Article 6 of the ECCAS Treaty, was deliberately ignored at the 26th Ordinary Summit, where the DRC retained control, a decision Rwanda described as a distortion of ECCAS’s purpose. This move highlights escalating tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized key towns, leading to accusations from the DRC, the United Nations, and Western governments that Rwanda supports the rebels, which Kigali denies. The Congolese government welcomed ECCAS's decision, which condemned Rwanda's aggression and called for troop withdrawal, emphasizing Rwanda’s repeated violations of regional principles. Efforts to mediate peace, including US-led talks and a draft peace plan expected soon, continue amid the deteriorating relations. Rwanda criticized the African Union for its inaction on previous complaints and declared it sees no justification to remain in an organization that functions contrary to its founding principles.