Africa

Rwanda Withdraws from ECCAS Over Congo Presidency Dispute

JUN 9 2025·Updated JUN 10 2025

Story

Above: Gabon's then-President Ali Bongo Ondimba hands over the flag to Congo's Félix Tshisekedi, the incoming president of the ECCAS, at the 22nd ordinary session of the ECCAS in Kinshasa on Feb. 25, 2023. Image credit: Guylain Kipoke/Contributor/AfrikImages/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Facts

Rwanda announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on Saturday, following its denial of the scheduled turn at the rotating presidency. The bloc instead extended the presidency to Equatorial Guinea for another year.
Dw.Com
TRT Global
The Rwandan Foreign Ministry accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of "instrumentalizing" ECCAS with support from member states, claiming its right to assume the chairmanship under Article 6 of the treaty was "deliberately ignored."
Chinadailyhk
Capital News
Minaffet
According to the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, ECCAS members acknowledged "aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda" and ordered the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory.
Reuters
Dw.Com
RBA news
The dispute centers on Rwanda's alleged support for M23 rebels who seized eastern Congo's two largest cities earlier this year, killing thousands and raising fears of regional war. Rwanda denies backing the group.
Reuters
Business Insider
Africanews
Rwanda previously left ECCAS in 2007 before rejoining several years later. The current withdrawal comes amid escalating tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa over the conflict in eastern Congo.
Alleastafrica
BBC News
NBC
Peace mediation efforts involving African leaders, the U.S., and Qatar are ongoing. The Trump administration is expected to facilitate a deal that could unlock billions in Western investment in the mineral-rich region.
Reuters
Business Insider

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Rwanda's withdrawal is a justified response to Congo's manipulation of ECCAS for political purposes. The bloc violated its founding principles by denying Rwanda its rightful turn at the presidency, demonstrating institutional failure. This instrumentalization makes continued membership pointless when the organization abandons impartiality.

Alleastafrica

Capital News

Narrative B

ECCAS correctly prioritized regional stability over procedural rotation by blocking an aggressor nation from leadership. Rwanda's military support for M23 rebels violates Congolese sovereignty and undermines regional peace. The bloc's decision sends a clear message that countries cannot violate the territorial integrity of others while expecting to lead regional institutions.

Dw.Com

BBC News