Blinken concerned about jailed Hotel Rwanda star

Rwanda has rejected calls to release Paul Rusesabagina, who was found guilty of crimes related to terrorism, despite intense lobbying by the US which has termed his arrest as ‘wrongful’ detention. He, a permanent resident of the US who was portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda saving the lives of hundreds of ethnic Tutsis during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, was sentenced to 25 years for terrorism by a Rwandan court last year in what his supporters called a sham trial. According to The East African, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his meeting with President Paul Kagame last week that he raised concerns related to Rusesabagina’s trial and conviction, particularly the lack of fair trial guarantees. ‘We continue to urge the government to address our concerns about the legal protections afforded to him in this case and establish safeguards to prevent similar outcomes in the future.’ Despite the talks, Rwanda has poured cold water on any suggestion that they might consider releasing Rusesabagina. In a recent letter addressed to Blinken, New Jersey Senator and chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations Robert Menendez said he was ‘concerned about the Rwandan government's continuing disregard for democracy and human rights’ and called for a review of US policy towards Rwanda, threatening to withhold aid to the country. But Rwanda says it maintains its position that Rusesabagina was lawfully detained.

Blinken says Washington will ‘not dictate’ which choices Africa should make and ‘neither should anyone else’. ‘African nations have been treated as instruments of other nations' progress, rather than the authors of their own,’ Blinken said following talks with SA International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. BBC News reports that the US is seeking to boost relations amid growing concern over the growing influence of Russia and China. Blinken addressed African reservations that the continent is sometimes used as a pawn in international relations: ‘Time and again, they have been told to pick a side in great power contests that feel far removed from daily struggles of their people.’ He outlined the US' priorities for the continent, which include democracy, investment, security, Covid recovery support and clean energy. He also addressed the controversial Russian mercenary group, Wagner, which has been operating in some African countries like Libya and as some reports say, in Mali and the CAR as well.