Brussels, Belgium – Belgium has stopped military cooperation with Rwanda, Pieter De Crem, the Belgian Minister of Defence, said Thursday before the Parliament. Belgium joins other countries like the United States and Sweden which have already decided to cease development aid to Rwanda.

The Belgian decision follows the report of UN experts accusing the regime of Kigali of providing arms and troops to the Congolese rebel group M23.

According to the report, the M23 is purportedly controlled by the Rwandan Minister of Defence, James Kabarebe, who calls were intercepted by MONUSCO.

During the debate in Parliament, the Belgian Defence Minister said that his country ceased all current programmes with Rwanda and that no military cooperation would take place in 2013.

However, he said, the Rwandan officers currently undergoing training at the Belgian Royal Military Academy will complete their studies.

Pana 10/11/2012

Source: http://www.afriquejet.com