Rwanda Withdraws from ECCAS over Blocked Leadership Transfer

Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) after the regional bloc refused to grant it the rotating presidency, in breach of its charter.

The decision was announced in a statement published by *The New Times* and marks a significant diplomatic shift in Central African regional politics.

According to the Rwandan government, the refusal to transfer leadership as scheduled violates the foundational agreements of ECCAS.

Kigali declared that it no longer sees value in remaining part of a body that operates contrary to its governing principles.

The dispute escalated after ECCAS members voted to extend Equatorial Guinea’s presidency for an additional year, despite the standard rotation that would have seen Rwanda assume leadership. The move was reportedly supported by Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the DRC accusing Rwanda of backing rebel groups in its eastern provinces.

In response, Rwanda has also submitted a formal complaint to the African Union, condemning what it described as illegal actions by ECCAS.

Established in 1983 and based in Libreville, Gabon, ECCAS comprises Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Rwanda’s withdrawal marks a rare departure from a major African regional bloc and underscores deepening tensions in Central Africa.