Was the Rwandan ambassador to the UN dismissed or did he resign

The Rwandan ambassador to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, has announced that his term will end on March 25, 2025. In an official letter addressed to his diplomatic counterparts, Rwamucyo revealed his planned departure.

However, the Rwandan government has not issued any formal statement, leaving the reasons for his exit unclear.

It is not known whether Rwamucyo chose to resign, was dismissed, or is simply being reassigned as part of a routine diplomatic rotation.

The lack of communication from Kigali has sparked speculation, especially since this announcement comes at a time when Rwanda is under growing international pressure for its role in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During Rwamucyo’s tenure at the UN, Rwanda faced several diplomatic challenges. These included allegations of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC. Despite Kigali’s denials, various countries, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, imposed sanctions on Rwandan officials.

The European Union is reportedly preparing to sanction more individuals linked to Rwanda’s activities in the DRC. Meanwhile, Belgium considered taking action but was preempted by Kigali’s suspension of its development cooperation with Brussels.

Rwamucyo’s performance at the UN has been criticized by observers close to the Rwandan government. A social media account that often supports Kigali admitted that Rwanda, along with M23 and their allies, had been outmaneuvered diplomatically. It particularly singled out the ambassador, describing his presentations as unconvincing and ineffective, which reportedly weakened Rwanda’s position at the UN Security Council.

In an attempt to shift attention away from criticism, Rwamucyo accused Canada of using the Congo issue to protect its mining interests in the DRC. This claim came just days before his announcement and referred to the 2025 PDAC mining conference. However, this move appeared to underscore Kigali’s diplomatic struggles rather than diminish them.

Before serving in New York from 2023, Rwamucyo held several high-profile diplomatic positions. He was Rwanda’s ambassador to Japan, India, and the United Kingdom. He also worked for international economic institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York and held various strategic roles within the Rwandan government.

Despite his extensive experience, Rwamucyo was seemingly unable to halt the deterioration of Rwanda’s reputation at the UN.

As the international community continues to press Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the DRC, Rwamucyo’s departure may signal a shift in Kigali’s diplomatic approach. However, without an official explanation from the Rwandan government, the true reasons behind his departure remain uncertain.