By Africa Live News Staff
Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), marking a dramatic end to its participation in the regional bloc that aims to foster economic and political cooperation in Central Africa.
The unexpected decision was announced on Saturday, coinciding with the 26th ECCAS Summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. According to a strongly worded statement issued by the Rwandan government, the country’s departure stems from what it described as the “instrumentalisation” of the organisation by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Rwanda deplores the instrumentalisation of the Economic Community of Central African States by the DRC,” the statement began, accusing the DRC of undermining the principles of the regional community for its own political agenda.
The immediate spark for the withdrawal was a contentious dispute over the ECCAS rotational presidency. In line with Article 6 of the ECCAS treaty, Rwanda was due to assume the presidency for the upcoming term. However, according to Kigali, this was deliberately obstructed.
“This deviation has come to light once more today in the context of the 26th Summit in Malabo, where Rwanda’s right to the rotational presidency, as laid down in article 6 of the treaty, was deliberately ignored to impose the diktat of the DRC,” the statement declared.
Leadership Controversy at the Heart of Exit
At the summit, Rwanda was set to take over the rotating leadership from Equatorial Guinea. However, the DRC allegedly refused to attend the summit if it were held in Rwanda — a move seen by Kigali as an intentional slight and an effort to prevent Rwanda from assuming its rightful role.
As a result, the presidency was handed back to Equatorial Guinea, which had already served the previous term — a breach of the established rotation protocol that further fuelled Rwandan discontent.
“This is not just a procedural anomaly; it is a violation of our rights as a member state and a direct affront to the credibility of ECCAS,” a senior Rwandan diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Africa Live News. “What happened in Malabo is evidence that the organisation is no longer functioning impartially or according to its founding principles.”
Rising Tensions with the DRC
The breakdown at ECCAS comes amid escalating tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, fuelled by ongoing military confrontations in eastern Congo. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Kigali of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been responsible for renewed violence in the North Kivu province. Rwanda, for its part, has consistently denied backing the militia, blaming the Congolese army and local militias for the instability.
In recent months, the conflict has led to international concern, with the United Nations and African Union calling for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. However, relations between the two neighbours remain strained, and Rwanda’s departure from ECCAS signals an even deeper rift in regional politics.
What Rwanda’s Exit Means for ECCAS
ECCAS, established in 1983, is composed of 11 Central African nations: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The bloc was created to promote regional economic integration and ensure collective political stability.
Rwanda’s withdrawal marks the first major departure of a member state in decades and raises critical questions about the organisation’s unity and effectiveness.
“This is a worrying development,” said Dr. Aimé Mbanza, a Central African political analyst based in Yaoundé. “ECCAS was already struggling with credibility issues, and now losing Rwanda — one of its most economically dynamic members — further weakens its legitimacy.”
He added, “If leadership is being manipulated to favour one member state over another, then it’s only natural that disillusioned countries will look elsewhere for cooperation frameworks.”
What’s Next for Rwanda?
Rwanda’s decision to leave ECCAS could have wider implications for its diplomatic strategy in Africa. The country is already a key member of the East African Community (EAC) and has increasingly focused on strengthening ties with southern African and continental institutions like the African Union.
“With ECCAS no longer serving our national or regional interests, we will now concentrate our energy on partnerships that are principled, equitable, and grounded in mutual respect,” the Rwandan government said in its exit statement.
Analysts suggest that Kigali may use this moment to deepen its engagement with the EAC, where it continues to play an influential role despite its tensions with member states like Uganda and Burundi.
Meanwhile, ECCAS faces the challenge of maintaining its relevance in a region fraught with security, governance, and economic issues. The departure of Rwanda, an influential player in regional peacekeeping and development initiatives, is likely to be felt both symbolically and practically.
Regional and International Reactions
As of Sunday, no official response had been issued by ECCAS or the DRC regarding Rwanda’s decision. However, diplomats from several member states are reportedly calling for an emergency consultation to assess the implications of Rwanda’s exit.
The African Union has also expressed concern. A senior AU official, who spoke to Africa Live News on background, said, “The African Union encourages all regional blocs to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue. We hope that ECCAS and Rwanda can eventually find a way to reconcile.”
For now, however, Rwanda’s dramatic exit underlines deep fractures in Central Africa’s regional politics — fractures that could threaten broader continental unity if left unaddressed.
