Rwanda's support for the M23 armed group, which has seized large areas of the mineral-rich eastern DRC, has attracted international condemnation and sanctions.
It later issued a directive banning all organisations in Rwanda from having ties with Belgian institutions.
It had to return the equivalent of $120,000 earmarked for a health awareness programme to its Belgian donor.
The timing was terrible, coming just after the United States announced massive cuts to its foreign aid programmes, which had already hit HIV prevention programmes among the LGBTQ and sex worker communities.
Rwanda and Belgium vowed residents and businesses would not face serious consequences from the diplomatic breakdown.
This month the government ordered the Ecole Belge, a well-regarded international school, to suspend its Belgian curriculum because it was funded by the embassy.
“It is unfathomable that such a reputable and historical international school will adopt a Rwandan curriculum,“ the official said.
Cuts to healthcare and education projects will have an impact, but the government will likely find alternative funding, said Phil Clark, international politics professor at London's School of Oriental and African Studies.
Rwanda is accused of using the M23 to siphon off the eastern DRC's vast natural resources, including rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, for its own profit.
'Shouldn't be bullied'
Louis Gitinywa, a lawyer and political analyst, said Rwanda was “not as clean as wool” in the dispute, but he agreed with the government’s tough stance.
“For many decades Belgium has been (the) fuelling fire for its strategic interests in the region.”
“Why should Rwanda be punished for it when it has legitimate security justifications to be in DRC,“ he said.
Nonetheless, Gitinywa said Kigali must engage constructively with its critics.
“Rwanda needs to do more than call Belgians names. We need a long-term plan to soften the effects of the sanctions,“ he said.
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