Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot is set to visit Burundi, Uganda, and DRC from April 25 to 29. Notably absent from his itinerary is Rwanda – a deliberate exclusion given that Kigali has made it clear he is not welcome here.
While the official purpose of Prévot’s visit is to “support peace and stability,” many see it as a shameless attempt to claim credit for the recent progress made through Qatar’s diplomatic efforts of which Belgium had no role whatsoever, and which it arguably sought to undermine.
After months of tensions it was Qatari mediation that recently led to a breakthrough: a joint agreement between the Tshisekedi regime and the M23/AFC movement, to observe a ceasefire and engage in negotiations. This development, crucial for the fragile peace in eastern DRC was brokered without Belgium, a former colonial power whose policies have long been accused of stoking conflict in the region.
So what exactly brings the Belgian foreign minister here?
His visit comes at a time when Belgium has aligned itself closely with Kinshasa, including deploying military forces to Kisangani in operations explicitly targeting M23. It’s difficult to reconcile this military involvement with any claim of neutrality or support for peace.
In Uganda, Hypocrite Prévot will face a government that has taken a more balanced stance, urging Kinshasa to engage in direct negotiations with M23. This pragmatic position likely clashes with Belgium’s narrative, which continues to lean heavily on scapegoating and blame.
Next stop: Burundi a country that has deployed thousands of troops to support the Congolese army and has reportedly fought alongside the FDLR and Wazalendo, groups that committted human rights abuses. Is Prévot visiting to promote peace, or to quietly endorse these brutal campaigns?
Finally, on Sunday, Prévot will arrive in the DRC to receivet a badge of honor from the very regime he supports. Behind closed doors, he’s expected to further discuss Belgian military operations in eastern Congo.
Let’s be clear: Belgium’s continued involvement in the DRC is not rooted in humanitarian concern. Its legacy of extraction and interference in Congolese affairs has not ended it has simply evolved.
As Qatar doubles down on its commitment to mediate lasting peace, Belgium’s actions suggest that chaos and instability in the east serve its economic interests better.
Maxime Prévot’s visit may be dressed in diplomatic language, but the people of the Great Lakes region are not fooled. True peace cannot be built on foreign meddling, selective diplomacy, or hidden agendas. Perhaps it’s time Belgium listened, reflected, and most importantly stepped back.
ellenkampire