Belgium’s Hostile Stance Towards Rwanda Criticized by Former Senator Destexhe

Former Belgian senator Alain Destexhe criticized the Belgian government’s approach to Rwanda, stating it is “profoundly irresponsible” and has reopened historical wounds. He highlights Belgium’s hostile actions, including influencing EU views, disregarding Rwanda’s sovereignty, and misrepresenting the conflict. Destexhe calls for neutrality and warns that such aggression could provoke harmful responses from Rwanda.

The former Belgian senator, Alain Destexhe, criticized the Belgian government’s stance toward Rwanda, emphasizing that it has reignited historical tensions that had somewhat healed since Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt’s apology in 2000. Destexhe’s remarks came in response to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s comments regarding Rwanda’s decision to sever diplomatic ties, which Rwanda justified due to Belgium’s ongoing neo-colonial attitudes.

Destexhe accused the Belgian government of leading a hostile campaign against Rwanda, influencing the European Union and international organizations negatively. He expressed that Belgium should adopt a neutral position in regional conflicts, particularly in light of allegations against Rwanda regarding support for rebels in eastern DR Congo, asserting, “Never before had Belgium adopted such an offensive stance on any issue since 1994.”

The Rwandan government criticized Belgium for siding with the Congolese government and using misinformation to damage Rwanda’s reputation. Destexhe noted Belgium’s colonial history, highlighting how it had instigated ethnic classifications that led to discrimination and division among Rwandans, exacerbating tensions in the region.

He lamented Belgium’s policy shift in 1959, which prompted ethnic violence against the Tutsi, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement. Furthermore, Destexhe recalled Belgium’s failure to act on early warnings prior to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, accusing the government then of advocating for the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers, which facilitated the massacre of Rwandans.

Regarding the recent resolution passed by the Belgian Parliament condemning Rwanda, he criticized it for its misrepresentation of the situation in the region and warned that aggressive rhetoric from Belgium could elicit strong reactions from Rwanda.

In summary, Destexhe believes that Belgium’s actions reflect a severe misunderstanding of the current dynamics in the region, emphasizing that such an approach could provoke conflict rather than foster peace.

Alain Destexhe’s remarks underscore the historical and ongoing complexities of Belgium’s relationship with Rwanda. He argues that Belgium’s posture, characterized by hostility and a lack of neutrality, threatens to destabilize both nations and reopens wounds of the colonial past. The continued misrepresentation of facts and aggressiveness in foreign policy could lead to adverse consequences for regional stability.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw