In an interview with IGIHE, legal expert and political analyst Gatete Ruhumuliza discussed the implications of this decision.

He explained that severing diplomatic ties indicates a breakdown of communication.

"This shows that both sides tried and found no further reason to maintain relations. However, Rwandans with Belgian citizenship are allowed to stay in Rwanda with their belongings. This decision targets Belgium’s government, not Belgians," he stated.

Some critics argue that such a decision was taken hastily and should have been preceded by dialogue and diplomatic mediation. However, Gatete believes the move delayed, given the historical context and its particular impact on Rwanda.

"This decision was long overdue. We have never had a good relationship with Belgium. Belgium came to Rwanda to help us achieve independence, but instead, they sowed ethnic division, fought against the Rwandan people who didn’t comply with their interests, and introduced oppression and forced labor, and many more evils."

Gatete pointed out how Belgium played a significant role in dividing Rwandans, particularly through the manipulation of ethnic divisions.

"Belgium exacerbated ethnic divisions in Rwanda by favoring some groups over others, encouraging loyalty to their cause."

When the Belgians arrived in Rwanda, they encountered a united nation with unique governance practices, making it challenging to impose their systems as they had done in other African countries.

This led them to try every means to weaken Rwandan unity, which was the foundation of the country’s stable governance.

Gatete emphasized, "The Belgians worked to undermine the unity of the Rwandan people because unity was the key to strong leadership, which would be an obstacle to their colonization ambitions."

Belgium sought to disrupt Rwandan unity by attacking cultural practices, religious beliefs, and traditional leadership structures.

Among the cultural aspects they fought against, he cited ’Umuganura,’ a cultural festival that united Rwandans.

They also fought against Rwandans’ religious practices, changing their names and attempting to dismantle key societal structures.

King Yuhi V Musinga, who was responsible for safeguarding Rwandan unity, noticed the harmful intentions of the Belgians and refused to align with them.

This ultimately led to his exile to Moba in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"King Yuhi V Musinga was the protector of Rwandan unity, and he refused to collaborate with those who sought to divide us," Gatete explained.

Following Musinga’s exile, his son, King Mutara III Rudahigwa, succeeded him and was baptized, signaling his willingness to cooperate with Belgium.

However, it didn’t take long for him to realize that their efforts to divide the people would bring ruin to Rwanda.

For example, Belgium attempted to segregate Tutsi children for education, but King Rudahigwa rejected this.

"King Rudahigwa rejected Belgium’s divide-and-rule tactics and continued to support the Rwandan people," Gatete noted.

After his murder, Belgium’s colonial rule in Rwanda ultimately set the stage for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Belgian authorities favored the Hutu extremists, which exacerbated ethnic divisions.

After Rwanda’s independence, Belgium continued its support of those who promoted the ideology of division, including the Parmehutu ideology that led to the systematic persecution of the Tutsi population.

Even after the genocide, Belgium continued to undermine Rwanda’s peace efforts by supporting genocide deniers and revisionist groups like Jambo ASBL.

Gatete highlighted how Belgium has been complicit in promoting genocide denial and spreading false narratives.

"Belgium has funded organizations that deny the genocide and spread lies about Rwanda’s history. Some members were also given roles in grassroots leadership. While their efforts to join the parliament remained futile, they benefited from Belgium’s support.”

Gatete also criticized Belgium’s role in promoting ethnicity under the guise of researching gender equality in Rwanda, where they propagated false reports by categorizing Rwandan leaders based on their ethnicity, perpetuating the same divisive tactics they had used during colonial rule.

"These studies were biased and designed to further divide Rwandans by emphasizing ethnic differences," he explained.

Belgium’s persistent efforts to undermine Rwanda’s unity and peace have fueled the country’s ongoing challenges. Gatete emphasized that no foreign power has ever defeated Rwanda, and its strength lies in unity.

"When Rwandans are united, no one can defeat us. Our unity has allowed us to achieve progress, and that is the foundation of Rwanda’s success."

This unity being the core of Rwanda’s progress, according to Gatete, is what President Paul Kagame has focused on in rebuilding Rwanda after the genocide.

Gatete also explained how international interests continue to play a role in destabilizing the region, citing the ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.

He noted that international powers benefit from dividing Rwanda and its neighbors because it makes it easier for them to maintain control.

In an interview with IGIHE, legal expert and political analyst Gatete Ruhumuliza discussed the implications of Rwanda's decision to cut ties with Belgium.