Relationship dossier
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Rwanda
Relationship assessment
Development and investment cooperation alongside Dutch concerns over Rwanda’s role in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kingdom of the Netherlands toward Rwanda
+15The Dutch government has provided development assistance to Rwanda, while suspending some support amid concerns about Rwanda’s alleged backing of armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Rwanda toward Kingdom of the Netherlands
+10Rwanda has participated in bilateral investment cooperation with the Netherlands through an investment agreement. Further details of direct Rwandan government cooperation with the Netherlands are limited.
Overall relationship
+15The relationship combines development and investment cooperation with periodic strain over allegations concerning Rwanda’s role in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This mix supports a generally cooperative but not especially close bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
The Netherlands and Rwanda have maintained development and investment cooperation, including a bilateral investment agreement. Dutch development support has also been affected by concerns about Rwanda’s alleged support for armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading the Netherlands to suspend some assistance. The relationship therefore combines practical cooperation with periodic political friction.
Areas of tension
- Dutch concerns about Rwanda’s alleged support for armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the resulting suspension of some assistance.
Key developments
A bilateral investment agreement between the Netherlands and Rwanda entered into force.
The Netherlands suspended some assistance to Rwanda amid concerns about its alleged support for armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of bilateral development and investment cooperation are unclear.
- The extent to which concerns about Rwanda’s role in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to shape Dutch assistance is unclear.