“Belgium has been taking the lead in Europe in advocating for sanctions against Rwanda,” said Kristof Titeca, a professor of international development at the University of Antwerp. At the same time, he added, “the European Union did the minimum with these sanctions on individuals — it still remain pretty harmless.”

The Belgian foreign minister, Maxime Prévot, said in a statement that Rwanda’s response “is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda, they prefer not to engage in dialogue.” He said Belgium would respond in kind to the expulsion of its diplomats.

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