‘An important step’: Qatar welcomes Belgium-Rwanda diplomatic relations reset after Doha talks

Qatar has welcomed Belgium and Rwanda’s decision to restore diplomatic ties, saying renewed relations could create new opportunities for cooperation and support peace and stability regionally and internationallyQatar has welcomed a joint decision by Belgium and Rwanda to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies, calling it a positive step towards resolving differences through dialogue and mutual understanding.Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Wednesday that Qatar appreciated both countries’ recognition of its role in addressing differences and misunderstandings.“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends the constructive spirit demonstrated by both sides in addressing differences and clearing up misunderstandings and expresses the State of Qatar’s hope that the resumption of diplomatic relations will open new horizons for cooperation between the two countries,” the statement read.Qatar Welcomes Resumption of Diplomatic Relations Between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of RwandaDoha | 23 September 2026The State of Qatar welcomes the joint decision by the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Rwanda to resume diplomatic relations and reopen… pic.twitter.com/0QdakgnWNc— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 23, 2026 Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Belgium, describing it as an important step.“Qatar firmly believes that dialogue is the path to resolving differences, and remains always available to support our partners in that pursuit,” he said.Al Khulaifi said Doha hosted the first direct meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in June 2025, facilitated by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, following a period of strained relations.In a joint statement, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the decision followed a series of meetings and informal contacts between the two foreign ministers in recent months, during which differences and misunderstandings were addressed in a constructive spirit.The two ministers thanked Qatar for facilitating their first meeting in Doha in June 2025.“Both countries wish to express their sincere gratitude to the authorities of the State of Qatar for facilitating the first meeting between the two Ministers in Doha in June 2025,” the statement said.The first meeting between Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot was facilitated by Qatar in Doha in June 2025.Both ministers were visiting Doha on 1 June 2025, when they separately met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.Qatar’s talks with Rwanda focused on efforts to resolve the crisis between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while discussions with Belgium focused on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.MoFA said the meeting had opened the way for direct dialogue, followed by further meetings and communications that led to the resumption of diplomatic relations. In March 2025, Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium amid a dispute over Belgium’s position on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.Belgium rejected Rwanda’s accusations and said its position was based on concerns over the violence in eastern DRC and respect for international humanitarian law.Belgium had also supported EU sanctions against senior Rwandan military officials and members of the M23 and AFC groups.Qatar separately hosted talks involving Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC. Qatar later participated in the signing of a Rwanda-DRC peace agreement in Washington in June 2025.The MoFA statement added that Qatar hopes the renewed ties would create new opportunities for cooperation and support peace and stability regionally and internationally.