Malabo: Rwanda has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (Eccas) following a diplomatic dispute concerning its alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The decision comes after Rwanda was barred from assuming the chairman role of the bloc, a position that rotates among its 11 member countries, during a meeting held in Equatorial Guinea.

According to BBC, a statement from the Congolese presidency revealed that Eccas leaders at the summit acknowledged Rwanda's aggression against DR Congo and mandated the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil. Until the resolution of the dispute, Equatorial Guinea will continue in the chairman role, effectively sidelining Rwanda.

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya criticized Rwanda, stating that a country cannot repeatedly violate the principles of regional institutions and still expect to lead them. He suggested that Eccas’s decision should motivate other regional organizations to adopt a stricter approach toward Rwanda.

Rwanda faces accusations of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, who have gained significant ground earlier this year by seizing key cities like Goma and Bukavu. The governments of DR Congo, the US, and France have all pointed to Rwanda's backing of the M23. A UN experts report last year estimated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the rebels.

Rwanda, however, denies these accusations, asserting that its military presence is solely to prevent the conflict from crossing into its borders. This is not the first time Rwanda has exited Eccas; it previously withdrew in 2007 but rejoined in subsequent years.