Rwanda has officially announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), marking a significant shift in regional geopolitics and a deepening of its ongoing diplomatic rift with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The announcement came on Saturday, June 8, 2025—the same day the ECCAS held its 26th Ordinary Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
In a strongly worded statement, the Rwandan government accused the DRC of manipulating the regional organisation to serve its own political interests. “Rwanda deplores the instrumentalisation of the Economic Community of Central African States by the DRC,” the statement began, condemning what it described as a deliberate attempt to exclude Rwanda from its rightful leadership role in the bloc.
At the heart of the controversy is the rotational presidency of ECCAS. Under Article 6 of the ECCAS founding treaty, the presidency rotates annually among member states. Rwanda was scheduled to assume the role for the 2025–2026 period. However, tensions arose when DRC officials reportedly refused to attend a summit hosted by Rwanda, citing ongoing hostilities between the two countries.
As a result, the presidency was instead handed back to Equatorial Guinea, which had already held the position in the previous term. Rwanda viewed this as a violation of ECCAS rules and a politically motivated move aimed at sidelining Kigali.
“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 Rwandan government said.
The decision to exit ECCAS further underscores the deteriorating relationship between Kigali and Kinshasa. Tensions between the two countries have escalated sharply in recent months, particularly due to ongoing military clashes in eastern Congo involving the M23 rebel group. The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, a charge Rwanda continues to deny.
Founded in 1983, ECCAS aims to promote economic integration, regional peace, and cooperation among its member states. Before Rwanda’s exit, the bloc comprised 11 countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, and Chad.
Rwanda’s withdrawal represents a blow to regional unity and economic collaboration in Central Africa. Analysts warn it could weaken the bloc’s credibility and effectiveness, especially given the ongoing instability in parts of the region.
While Kigali has not ruled out future re-engagement, officials made it clear that Rwanda will not participate in an organisation that, in their view, allows itself to be used for political manipulation. The government called on ECCAS to uphold its founding principles and treat all member states equally, regardless of political tensions.
This latest move may also influence Rwanda’s diplomatic stance within other regional and continental institutions. Observers say the fallout could ripple across bodies such as the African Union and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, where both Rwanda and the DRC are influential players.
As of now, ECCAS has not issued an official response to Rwanda’s departure. However, with the DRC-Rwanda standoff showing no signs of resolution and regional alliances shifting, the future of Central African cooperation remains uncertain.
