
Rwanda says cutting diplomatic ties with Belgium
Rwanda said Monday it had severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, saying the European nation had 'consistently undermined" Kigali "during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.'
"The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately," said a statement from the foreign affairs ministry.
It ordered all Belgian diplomats to leave within 48 hours.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Roya News
2 days ago
- Roya News
Spain PM calls 'genocide' in Gaza after 65 killed
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a "genocide", as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said 'Israeli' forces killed 65 people. After more than 20 months of devastating conflict, rights groups say Gaza's population of more than two million face famine-like conditions. 'Israel' began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following a blockade of more than two months but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of 'Israeli' forces firing on those waiting to collect rations. 'Israel' meanwhile is pressing its bombardment of the territory, in a military offensive it claimed is aimed at defeating Hamas. Sanchez said Gaza was in a "catastrophic situation of genocide" and urged the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with 'Israel'. The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by the Spanish premier, an outspoken critic of 'Israel's' aggression who is one of the first European leaders, and the most senior, to use the term "genocide" to describe the situation in Gaza. Speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez mentioned an EU report which found indications 'Israel' was breaching its human rights obligations under the cooperation deal, which forms the basis for trade ties. 'Israel' reacted furiously to Sanchez's comments. Its embassy in Madrid accused him of 'demonising Israel,' saying Spain was "on the wrong side of history". The Spanish government called the statement "unacceptable" and summoned the embassy's charge d'affaires. Rescuers say Gazans killed The director of medical supplies in Gaza's civil defence agency, Mohammad Al-Mughair, told AFP 65 people had been killed by 'Israeli' forces in the territory on Thursday. The 'Israeli' military said its troops "fired warning shots" in order to prevent "suspects from approaching them" near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, where Palestinians gather each night for rations. Ceasefire push After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on June 24, 'Israel' said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where captives are still being held. US President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday: "I think great progress is being made on Gaza" to end the war, and forecast "very good news". 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing calls from opposition politicians, relatives of captives held in Gaza and even members of his ruling coalition to end the fighting. Key mediator Qatar said this week it would launch a new push for a ceasefire.


Roya News
3 days ago
- Roya News
Iran criticizes European stance on 'Israeli', US attacks
Iran's Foreign Minister has criticized several European countries for what he described as their support for 'Israel' and failure to condemn ongoing attacks by both 'Israeli' and American forces. In statements on Thursday, the minister said, 'We criticize the positions of European countries that support Israel and ignore condemning the Zionist and American aggression against us.' He also urged European nations to adopt what he called a 'responsible and fair stance' regarding ongoing 'Israeli' actions in the region, which Iran has labeled as continuous crimes.


Roya News
3 days ago
- Roya News
'Israeli' farmers report widening boycott of exports across Europe, Japan: Reports
'Israeli' farmers and food exporters are reporting a sharp rise in boycott efforts against their agricultural products across Europe, according to a report published Wednesday by the Hebrew outlet Ynet. The growing backlash, triggered by ongoing public opposition to 'Israel's' war in Gaza, has led to both formal and informal actions by major retailers, with some suppliers even noting hesitations from markets as far as Japan. The Ynet report cites exporters saying that European countries like Belgium and Ireland have effectively begun boycotting 'Israeli' produce. In recent weeks, Italy's and the UK's Co-op chains announced they would stop selling 'Israeli' products, and now other retailers—such as the UK's Waitrose and Germany's Aldi—are reportedly following suit, even without public declarations. 'For six weeks now, Aldi has been doing everything possible to avoid buying from us,' a potato exporter told Ynet. 'In the past two weeks, we're hearing louder voices calling for a boycott in Germany, and that's new.' Germany, which has historically refrained from participating in such boycotts due to its strong ties with 'Israel', appears to be experiencing a shift in public and commercial sentiment. While no official government boycott is in place, exporters say they are encountering increasing pushback in private dealings. The pressure is not confined to Europe. According to the report, some 'Israeli' exporters are also facing signs of reluctance from Japanese buyers, signaling that the impact may soon extend beyond Europe. The widening boycott is adding to the concerns of 'Israel's' agriculture sector, which heavily relies on foreign markets for its produce exports.