Blinken Visit: Rwanda cannot release a criminal because of pressure
The U.S Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday 10 August 2022 for a two-day visit during which he met and held talks with President Paul Kagame on a number of issues, including bilateral ties between the two countries.
On Thursday, Secretary Blinken and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta, addressed a press conference which touched on a number of issues including the conflict in DRC, the conviction of Paul Rusesabagina and the United Nations group of experts report on DRC, among others.
Speaking Sunday on ‘Urubuga rw’Itangazamakuru talk show, Alain Mukuralinda the government spokesperson stated that that people should not look at Rusesabagina as the only reason that brought Blinken because Rwanda has already the relationship with the US and the discussions between the two sides was more than Rusesabagina even though he was the one mentioned the most. He added that as long as the FDLR is in the DRC, the region will never be secure.
He added that the United States has the right to request the release of Rusesabagira because he is a permanent resident of the US, but that Rwanda also has the right to its land and courts so that there is no pressure on it.
“As far as the Government of Rwanda is concerned, Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan citizen. He was arrested, tried and convicted along with 20 others accomplices for serious crimes committed against Rwandan citizens, which he committed while residing in the United States,”
“This was done lawfully under both Rwandan and international laws. Therefore, Rwanda will continue to abide by our laws and decisions made by our Judiciary and we request our partners to respect Rwanda’s sovereignty, Rwanda’s laws and institutions,” Mukuralinda said.
Me. Murangwa, the lawyers of Victims of the attacks carried out by Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD)/National Liberation Front (FLN), led by Paul Rusesabagina says that even though Blinken is praying for Rusesabagina's release, he should not ignore that there are others who are with him in the case. That he should also look at those who are affected by their terror actions. Murangwa utters that Rusesabagina's case is more political than justice
“But if Blinken was unaware that things work differently in Rwanda prior to his visit, I believe he has now been updated.” He said
In March this year, the victims delivered a petition to the U.S, Belgium and European Union missions in Kigali demanding that their voices are heard. In April, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed Rusesabagina’s 25-year sentence while Callixte Nsabimana, the former spokesperson of FLN, had his sentence reduced to 15 years.