MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, June 8, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Rwanda was blocked Saturday from taking the rotating presidency of the central African economic bloc because of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The presidency of the 11-nation Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) had been due to pass to Kigali, but at a heads of state and government meeting, DR Congo and Burundi objected.

"The conference postponed to another time the transfer of the rotating acting presidency of the community to the Republic of Rwanda and consequently decided to keep His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo as acting president of the community for an additional year," a communique said.

One ECCAS official described the atmosphere between Rwanda and DR Congo's representatives at the meeting in Equatorial Guinea's capital Malabo as "tense".

The Congolese contingent said "if Rwanda took the presidency, they would not be able to travel to Rwanda for community activities or events", the official added on condition of anonymity.

"Burundi is also on the same path."

Diplomatic ties between Kinshasa and Kigali are fraught, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group that has taken swathes of territory in the mineral-rich eastern DRC since the start of the year.

Neighbouring Burundi has sent more than 10,000 soldiers since 2023 to help the Congolese army fight the M23 and other armed groups operating in the conflict-wracked region.

On Thursday, Qatari mediators presented the DRC government and the M23 group "a peace proposal" to end the conflict, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP.