Blog

France’s Macron heads to Rwanda to reset relations. President’s visit to Kigali aimed at turning page from decades of diplomatic friction over France’s role in the 1994 genocide.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame receives French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Kigali.

French President Emmanuel Macron has travelled to Rwanda for a highly symbolic visit aimed at repairing relations between the two countries after decades of Rwandan accusations that France was complicit in the 1994 genocide.

Macron arrived in the capital, Kigali, early on Thursday and is due to hold talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. But the most anticipated part of his speech will come when Macron gives a speech at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where some 250,000 victims of the mass killings are buried.

Rwandan court drops charges against opposition politician Rwigara. Court rules Rwigara’s criticism of the government was an exercise of freedom of expression [Reuters].

Judges clear dissident politician Diane Rwigara on charges of inciting insurrection and document forgery.

A Rwandan court acquitted Diane Rwigara, a critic of veteran President Paul Kagame, on charges that included inciting insurrection and the forgery of documents.

Rwigara, 37, was arrested in September 2017 after her attempt to run in Rwanda’s presidential election was denied on grounds she allegedly forged the signatures of supporters for her bid.