In a significant move, Rwanda has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) citing concerns over the organization’s integrity and adherence to its founding principles.
According to statement by the government, the decision follows a contentious 26th Ordinary Summit in Malabo, where Rwanda’s rightful claim to the rotating chairmanship was deliberately overlooked, allegedly at the behest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and supported by certain member states.
Rwanda’s government expressed deep disappointment over the ECCAS’s failure to uphold its own rules, particularly Article 6 of the Treaty, which stipulates the rotation of the chairmanship. This, Rwanda claims, is a clear example of the organization’s purpose being distorted by external influences.
The tensions between Rwanda and ECCAS are not new. Earlier, Rwanda had protested its exclusion from the 22nd Summit in Kinshasa in 2023, held under the DRC’s presidency, in a letter to the African Union Chairperson. The lack of response or action from ECCAS members has further eroded Rwanda’s confidence in the organization’s ability to enforce its rules impartially.
In light of these developments, Rwanda’s decision to withdraw from ECCAS underscores its commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and regional cooperation. The move is likely to have significant implications for regional dynamics and raises questions about the future role and effectiveness of ECCAS in promoting economic integration and cooperation among its member states.
