Rwanda manages to torpedo the appointment of the European Union representative for the Great Lakes region

In Brussels, the affair is extremely embarrassing. While the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, was due to appoint his first special representative for the Great Lakes region in mid-June, which brings together Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he has just decided to extend the recruitment procedure until July 5. An e-mail was sent to Member States on June 14 to inform them of this. The subject must be addressed in particular during the Council of European Foreign Ministers which is being held on Monday June 23 in Luxembourg.

In the spring, two candidates were interviewed: Pekka Haavisto, former Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, who ended up withdrawing. His main fault was that he did not speak French, even though the region was French-speaking. That left the second contender, the Belgian Bernard Quintin, former Africa director of the European diplomatic service, who was unanimously supported by the member states. And yet, he will not be the next special envoy to the region either.

Paul Kagame, the Rwandan president, did not wait to see Emmanuel Macron on Thursday June 20. At the end of April, during a telephone interview, he told his French counterpart his opposition to this choice, according to the specialized media Africa Intelligence. Following this exchange, Paris, but also other countries such as Sweden or Denmark, then made it known that before any appointment of a special envoy, it was necessary to ensure his good reception in the countries of the region.

“If we want such a representative to be effective, he must be able to speak to everyone and be received by all regional stakeholders. If a country opposes it, this European special envoy will be weakened,” summarizes a diplomatic source. While ambassadors must submit their credentials to their host state, the procedure is much more vague regarding a European special envoy, who speaks for the Twenty-Seven. Theoretically, a third country has no say.

“A very bad message”

Belgium, historically close to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Rwanda is militarily engaged with the M23 rebels who are destabilizing the east of the DRC, is paying for its poor relations with Kigali. In 2023, the kingdom notably refused the approval of Vincent Karega, chosen by Kigali to be ambassador to Brussels.

A Belgian diplomat should not have been pre-selected for such a position, according to the European External Action Service. Several member states have therefore called for a more neutral profile.

There remains a feeling of humiliation for Europe, of being dictated to the course of action to follow by Rwanda, already accustomed to interference as demonstrated by the “Rwanda Classified” investigation of the Monde et de Forbidden Stories en May.

“The choice of Mr. Quintin by the selection panel was unanimous and was known to very few people, confides a diplomat familiar with the matter. How did Mr. Kagame find out? It is its right for Rwanda to then put pressure to avoid the appointment of a special envoy to the region, but it should never have been informed so early of this appointment. »

“This procedure was a disgrace”rails another European diplomat in Brussels. “Allowing a third country to dictate our behavior sends a very bad message. Such a recruitment process cannot be repeated. It is not possible “adds a third diplomatic source, who calls for the appointment of a new special envoy as quickly as possible.

“With Rwanda, you have two options: either you oppose and gain respect, or you give in and get your toes stepped onnotes an experienced diplomat. Europe has chosen the worst option. »