The Republic of Rwanda, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, has quit the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), according to sources in Kigali.
The ECCAS exit was announced by Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a statement dated June 7, 2025, in which he states that Rwanda, among other things, “…. deplores the instrumentalisation of the ECCAS by the Democratic Republic of Congo, the the support of certain member states.”
He continues that, “This distortion of the organisation’s purpose was once again evident during the 26th Ordinary Summit held in Malabo, where Rwanda’s right to assume the rotating Chairmanship, stipulated in Article 6 of the Treaty, was deliberately ignored in order to impose DRC’s diktat…”
The country’s departure from the 11-member bloc is attributed to a leadership dispute stemming from Kigali’s role in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Rwanda was supposed to take up the rotating chairmanship of ECCAS, but was thwarted by a decision taken at a heads of state summit last weekend, where it was resolved that Equatorial Guinea would retain the role until Rwanda withdraws its troops from the DRC.
A military withdrawal of Rwanda from the conflict in DRC is also a precondition for the signing of a proposed US-brokered peace agreement, which promises significant American investment in Rwanda and DRC.
However, it is important to note that Rwanda’s abrupt exit from the ECCAS has significant implications for regional trade and economic cooperation.
Impact on Regional Trade
Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS is likely to affect trade in the region in several ways:
Reduced economic cooperation
Rwanda’s departure may reduce economic cooperation between ECCAS member states, potentially leading to decreased trade volumes and investment.
Disrupted trade flows
The exit may disrupt trade flows between Rwanda and other ECCAS member states, including the DRC, which could have negative impacts on businesses and economies in the region.
Increased trade barriers
Rwanda’s exit may lead to increased trade barriers, including tariffs and non-tariff barriers, which could further complicate trade in the region.
Regional Economic Community Dynamics
Rwanda’s membership in other regional economic communities, such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), may mitigate the impact of its exit from ECCAS.
However, the fact that DRC is also a member of these blocs means that Rwanda may still face diplomatic challenges and trade disruptions.
US-Brokered Peace Agreement
The proposed US-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC offers some hope for rapprochement and potentially improved trade relations.
A military withdrawal by Rwanda, as a precondition for the signing of the agreement, could help to reduce tensions and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS thus highlights the complexities and challenges of regional economic integration in Africa.
While the country’s membership in other regional economic communities may provide some mitigation, the impact of its exit on regional trade and economic cooperation should not be underestimated.
The proposed US-brokered peace agreement offers a potential solution, but its success will depend on the willingness of both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and cooperation.