Rwanda has pulled out of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), saying the organisation repeatedly violated its rights as a member and that the regional bloc failed to adhere to its foundational principles.
The country was about to assume the chairmanship role of the ECCAS, which rotates among its 11 members. Rwanda said this move was intended to “impose DR Congo’s diktat”, suggesting that DR Congo, with backing from some member states, is manipulating ECCAS mechanisms.
Rwanda has previously raised concerns with the African Union (AU) over what it describes as repeated violations of ECCAS protocols. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebels in the east of the DR Congo. The militia group has made major advances at the beginning of the year, taking the key regional cities of Goma and Bukavu.
