Belgium Strengthens Ties in Africa as France Loses Influence

Kinshasa, August 2025 – Belgium has launched a political, economic, and humanitarian tour of Central and Eastern Africa, aiming to reinforce its role as a trusted ally on the continent. Unlike France, whose influence has collapsed in the Sahel and the Great Lakes due to duplicity and political ambiguity, Belgium has gained recognition as a reliable partner, especially for its firm stance supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during Rwanda’s aggression in Kivu.

Key Stops on the Belgian Tour

Congo-Brazzaville: Meeting Sassou Nguesso

Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, began his tour in Oyo, Republic of Congo. He was received by President Denis Sassou Nguesso to discuss:

• The African Union’s role in resolving Great Lakes conflicts

• The Libyan reconciliation file (where Sassou chairs the AU High-Level Commission)

• Belgian investment in the Pointe-Noire Corridor project

• Financing the Blue Fund for the Congo Basin, vital for global carbon capture

Kinshasa: Strong Support for the DRC

On August 18, 2025, Prévot held a two-hour meeting with President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. He reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to:

• Keeping the DRC’s military conflict on Europe’s agenda

• Backing a second round of EU sanctions against Rwanda under UN resolution 2773

• Supporting Congolese peace efforts through the Washington and Doha processes

Later, Prévot met with National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe, urging Congolese parliamentarians to play an active role in the peace process. Kamerhe welcomed Belgium’s support and stressed parliamentary diplomacy in sustaining Congo-led initiatives.

Lubumbashi: Mining Cooperation with Gécamines

On August 20, 2025, Prévot is expected in Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga) to visit a subsidiary of Gécamines, Congo’s state mining company. The site is a partner of Belgium’s Umicore in processing germanium, a critical metal for new technologies.

This cooperation is seen as a “win-win” deal that could reposition Belgium at the center of Europe’s technological innovation while boosting Congo’s mining sector.

Nairobi: Addressing Rwanda’s Shadow

Belgium’s African tour also includes Kenya, where tensions are rising over Nairobi’s role in legitimizing rebel groups hostile to Congo.

• Former President Uhuru Kenyatta once led the Nairobi Process for peace.

• Current President William Ruto, however, has been accused of enabling Rwanda by backing the AFC rebel alliance, founded in Nairobi in December 2023.

• On August 16, 2025, Ruto even appointed a consulate in Goma, viewed by Congolese officials as an attempt to legitimize Rwanda-backed military occupation.

Belgium is expected to use its Nairobi meetings to advocate for environmental and digital cooperation, while also addressing the refugee crisis in the region.

Addis Ababa: Calling for African Solutions

The final leg of the tour will take Prévot to Ethiopia, home of the African Union headquarters. There, Belgium will emphasize the need for:

• Greater AU involvement in stabilizing eastern Congo

• Regional ownership of negotiations and solutions rather than foreign impositions

As Prévot stated:

Analysis: Belgium Steps In Where France Falters

Belgium’s proactive diplomacy comes as France’s credibility in Africa continues to erode. With Paris sidelined in the Sahel and distrusted in the Great Lakes, Brussels now sees an opening to expand its influence.

By linking diplomatic support, mining partnerships, and environmental commitments, Belgium is reshaping its role in Africa while standing firmly with the DRC in its fight against Rwanda’s destabilizing tactics.

Quick Facts Box

1. Tour Stops: Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Kenya, Ethiopia

2. Main Goals: Peace efforts, sanctions on Rwanda, mining deals, Blue Fund financing

3. Key Project: Gécamines, Umicore Germanium Partnership

4. Strategic Impact: Belgium repositions itself as Africa’s trusted European ally