UK to pause bilateral aid to Rwanda over Congo conflict
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026
The UK has paused aid to Rwanda due to its involvement in the Congo conflict, affecting trade and defense relations.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Tuesday said it would pause some bilateral aid to Rwanda over its role in the conflict in neighbouring Congo.
A statement from the British government said that until there was significant progress in ending hostilities and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory, Britain would:
- Cease high-level attendance at events hosted by the Government of Rwanda.
- Limit trade promotion activity with Rwanda.
- Pause direct bilateral financial aid to the government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable.
- Coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations.
- Suspend future defence training assistance to Rwanda.
- Review export licences for the Rwanda Defence Force.
(Reporting by William James; editing by Michael Holden)
The UK is pausing some bilateral aid to Rwanda due to its involvement in the conflict in neighbouring Congo.
The UK will cease high-level attendance at Rwandan events, limit trade promotion, pause direct financial aid (excluding support for the vulnerable), and review export licenses for the Rwanda Defence Force.
Aid will resume only when there is significant progress in ending hostilities and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.
Yes, the UK plans to coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations related to Rwanda.
Support to the poorest and most vulnerable in Rwanda will continue despite the pause in direct bilateral financial aid.
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