Run your country and let me govern Rwanda to the best knowledge, Kagame tells Biden

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FILE: Rwanda's president speaking at the US-Africa leaders summit in Washington held Dec 13-15, 2022

WASHINGTON - The US-Africa summit came to an end on Thursday with the US pledging $ 55 billion to the African states over the next three years.

These funds come with lots of strings attached to them among them trading with the US and its allies, reducing China's influence in the continent.

But less has been gained by the summit since it was discriminative in its planning since some key African states were not invited to the discussion table among them Mali and Sudan.

The summit didn’t close with a smooth smile as President Paul Kagame tells off the US administration on Wednesday over the concerns raised by Biden’s administration on the jailing of Paul Rusesabagina.

Mr. Rusesabagina -a US permanent resident and is considered a hero in the film "Hotel Rwanda". The 67, was sentenced last year to 25 years in prison by Kagame’s government on terrorism charges linked to an organization opposed to Paul Kagame's rule.

However, he has continued to deny all the charges and refused to take part in the trial that he termed as political theatrics by president Kagame.

Rwanda’s head of state was among the 50 African leaders attending the US-Africa summit that took place in Washington D.C.

President Kagame questioned the motive and the push by the US to release Rusesabagina who is a terrorist.

"I want to know why is the US determined to have Rusesabagina released and how will they benefit from his release. But let me make it clear for you; There is no one or anybody going to come from anywhere to bully the Rwandan government into something to do with our lives and we accept it," Kagame said while addressing the media at the sideline of the summit.

In May this year, the US was determined to have Rusesabagina released on grounds that he was wrongfully jailed. They cited a lack of fair trial guarantees during Rusesabagina's trial.

Kagame also blamed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for interfering in Rusesabagina's case.

However, a US State Department spokesperson said Washington has been clear about its concerns related to Rusesabagina's trial and conviction, particularly the lack of fair trial guarantees, and continues to urge the government to address those concerns.

"The Department of State continues to engage the Government of Rwanda at high levels in Kigali and through their Ambassador in the United States on this matter," the spokesperson said.

Rusesabagina, who was feted around the world after being portrayed by actor Don Cheadle in the 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda", is a vocal critic of Kagame.

Rusesabagina has acknowledged having a leadership role in the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), a group opposed to Kagame's rule, but denied responsibility for violence carried out by its armed wing, the National Liberation Front (FLN).

GAROWE ONLINE

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