Rwanda’s abrupt decision to exit the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc fostering economic and political cooperation, has sent shockwaves through the region, intensifying its bitter dispute with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The move, announced by President Paul Kagame’s administration in early 2025, stems from accusations that the EAC failed to address DRC’s alleged support for anti-Rwandan militias, particularly the FDLR, a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda’s departure threatens to unravel decades of regional integration efforts, disrupting trade, security collaboration, and diplomatic ties among the bloc’s eight member states, which include Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The decision has sparked widespread concern about the potential for further instability in an already volatile region.
Kagame, addressing a national broadcast, accused the DRC of harboring genocidaires and undermining Rwanda’s security, claims Kinshasa vehemently denies. The DRC, in turn, alleges Rwanda backs the M23 rebel group, which seized Goma’s airport in January 2025, displacing thousands and escalating tensions. Rwanda’s exit from the EAC, where it was a key player in trade liberalization and peacekeeping initiatives, jeopardizes a $2 billion trade network, affecting Rwandan exports like coffee and tea.
The EAC’s secretariat, based in Arusha, expressed regret, urging dialogue, but Rwanda’s foreign ministry insisted that membership was untenable without action against DRC’s militia ties. Regional leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, proposed an emergency summit to mediate, but prospects remain dim as both nations bolster military presence along their border. The withdrawal, coupled with protests in Kinshasa targeting Rwandan interests, risks plunging the Great Lakes region into deeper conflict, with humanitarian agencies bracing for increased refugee flows and aid disruptions.