We do not want to be Belgians” – President Kagame on the issues Belgium is causing for Rwanda.
President Paul Kagame stated that Belgium has oppressed Rwanda for many years, killing Rwandans. However, the country’s path to rebuilding and the efforts invested in national development demonstrate that Rwandans neither need nor wish to be Belgians or assimilate with them.
Belgium colonized Rwanda after Germany was defeated in World War I, introducing a policy of division and hatred that ultimately led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
While addressing Kigali residents on March 16, 2025, President Kagame remarked that one of Rwanda’s misfortunes was being colonized by a very small country that ended up fragmenting it.
He said, “One of our misfortunes is that we were colonized by a tiny country like Rwanda itself. This small country even went as far as carving up Rwanda to make it as small as itself. That country is Belgium, and I will address them directly.”
He continued, “Belgium destroyed Rwanda and killed Rwandans. For over 30 years, they have continued to interfere, killing those who remain. We warned them before, and we will continue to warn them now.”
Belgium’s Role in Carving Up Rwanda
On May 14, 1910, a meeting was held in Belgium to resolve an ongoing issue where Belgians wanted to expand their colonial territories. The meeting included Belgian colonizers in Congo, German colonizers in Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanganyika, as well as British colonizers in Uganda and Kenya.
Following this meeting, between 1910 and 1912, colonial powers redrew Rwanda’s borders, using so-called “natural boundaries” such as the Virunga Mountains, Akanyaru River, Akagera River, and Lake Kivu. This drastically reduced Rwanda’s land area compared to its original size.
President Kagame pointed out that Rwandans who ended up in neighboring countries were not sent there by Rwanda but were displaced by colonial powers.
He stated, “Those who ended up in other countries were not sent there by Rwanda. If you tell these people to return to Rwanda, then send them back along with the land that was taken from Rwanda. However, if you want truth and peace, you must respect people’s rights. When people are denied their rights, they fight for them.”
Belgium Should Be Ashamed of Its Actions
President Kagame criticized Belgium for taking a position in regional conflicts despite being the root cause of these problems while falsely accusing Rwanda.
He said, “Belgium colonized three countries [DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi], yet they now go to Kinshasa to point fingers at Rwanda. They claim they will impose sanctions on Rwanda and urge the world to do the same. But do they have no shame? Calling on the entire world to gang up against Rwanda, a country of this size?”
He added, “Shouldn’t this make some people feel ashamed? Why can’t they just leave us alone to build our own country and live as we wish? Are we now being persecuted just for being their equals? Is it because they have greater influence elsewhere?”
“Belgium Does Not Rule Over Us”
President Kagame stated that no country has the right to interfere in Rwanda’s affairs, as Belgium has done—including its unwarranted rejection of Rwandan Ambassador Vincent Karega.
He said, “They have been after us for a long time, even before this war started. They even rejected our ambassador, claiming he did not serve Congo well. But who are they? Who put them in charge of us? Rwandans believe in God—did God appoint Belgium to rule over Rwanda? We will remind them that this is not the case.”
Despite Rwanda’s limited resources, Kagame affirmed that the country has the determination and resilience to stand its ground.
He declared, “With the little we have, we will stand up to them. I am referring to those who constantly pursue us, undermine us. But can we not overcome them? Can these people really defeat us? Some sacrifices will be made, but they will have to leave us in peace. I am saying this as a warning—not just to them but also to you, Rwandans. After all these years of rebuilding our nation, we want to be Rwandans. We do not wish to be Belgians. Any Rwandan who does not understand this should know—we are meant to be Rwandans, not those who colonized us. We must cleanse ourselves of their influence.”
Rwandans Must Be Ready to Defend Their Rights
President Kagame stressed that Rwandans must always be prepared to live in peace with others while focusing on their development.
He said, “Our path is to be ourselves, not to become someone else. We must coexist with others peacefully while pursuing our own development goals. Rwandans must unite, align their different perspectives, and work together for the country while resisting those who seek to destroy us.”
In February 2025, Rwanda terminated development cooperation agreements with Belgium after the latter chose to align with the Democratic Republic of Congo in a campaign to isolate Rwanda and cut off its development funding.
“We Must Fight for Our Rights”
President Kagame reminded Rwandans that the struggle to liberate the country was tough, with many lives lost. He called on the current generation to be prepared to sacrifice for their rights.
He said, “Rwandans, we must be ready to fight for our rights. It is necessary to fight for our rights. We have reasons to fight, and I do not believe we lack the will to do so. That must never be taken away from us.”
He dismissed threats of sanctions, questioning their credibility.
He stated, “They make noise about sanctions, as if we will perish because of them. The same people who caused these problems are now the ones calling for sanctions? You even ask them why, and they say, ‘I don’t know, but the Belgians told us something is happening.’ You are making decisions without even knowing why—just because someone with their own interests told you to?”
Finally, President Kagame assured that Rwanda does not provoke or interfere with anyone but is solely focused on its own progress.