Talks between President Kagame and Blinken focused on compliance with the Nairobi Accord
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Loading... - Zawadi Oloo
- 15 Aug 2022
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Talks between President Kagame and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a two-day visit to Rwanda focused on compliance with the Nairobi Accord on security in eastern DRC.
“The US is concerned about reports of Rwandan support for M23 and the presence of Rwandan troops in the DRC. My message to the Presidents of Rwanda and the DRC is the same: any support for rebel groups in the DRC endangers regional security. Each country must respect the sovereignty of the other. The Presidents of Rwanda and the DRC are urged to implement the peace process initiated by the countries of the region under the auspices of the African Union (AU)”, indicated Antony Blinken during a press briefing.
Blinken added that the US supports the Nairobi Accord asking the DRC to start talks with armed groups. “The two Heads of State reaffirmed their desire to continue negotiations through the Nairobi Agreement to dialogue with armed groups. The two Presidents believe in this initiative of the AU supported by the USA”, he continued.
US Secretary of State Blinken returned to the hate speeches and genocide ideology in vogue in the DRC and which target Rwandophone Congolese citizens, treated as traitors when they are full Congolese citizens. Yet some of them are persecuted and killed.
“The USA will continue to castigate this extremism and Tshisekedi and his government are working in this direction. We also discussed with President Kagame US concerns about democracy and human rights issues in Rwanda, including the worrying detention of Paul Rusabagina,” Blinken said.
Precisely about Rusesabagina, Minister Biruta said in a lively press conference in the presence of Blinken that Rusesabagina, like other Rwandans, is serving his sentence confirmed by the verdict of a court. He will have to finish his sentence even if some countries, including the USA, continue to demand his release.
Minister Biruta reaffirmed that Rwanda cannot change Rusesabagina's sentence, despite requests from some countries.
“Rwandans should not learn that an individual was released only under pressure from foreign countries,” he said. Read More...
