There was no inner circle junta official at the Airport to receive the US Secretary of State. Secretary John Kerry was received by the US Ambassador in Rwanda. This is unusual in diplomacy and, certainly, unprecedented in Kagame junta Protocol. One would argue that the US Secretary of State is in Kigali for an international meeting as opposed to an official visit to Kigali. However, the cold, and “casual”, reception Sec. John Kerry received in Kigali is inconsistent with the way Kagame junta uses world leaders’ visit for marketing his image abroad.
(a) Is Kagame under some pressure from the US over something and, given his usual approach, the cold reception is a sign of defiance?
(b) Did the US gov set some conditions for Sec John Kerry’s visit, including not using Sec John Kerry’s visit for Kagame junta propaganda? Why …why … why …?
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister was in Rusgovernment’s cial visit, where she allegedly commended Russia’s efforts to bring peace to Syria. Again it’s strange for Rwanda, a US ally in the region, to applaud Russia’s efforts to “restore peace” in Syria.
(c) Is Rwanda’s declared ” support” for Russia over the war in Syria another Kagame junta diplomatic gamble? But Why …? why …? Why …?
While France has clearly become a powerhouse in the European Union, Mr. Alain Juppe – Kagame’s declared enemy – has positioned himself for decisive win in his party primaries and France presidential elections.
The US needs the EU and/or NATO to fight this new cold war with Russia. The US will certainly need France more than before.
(d) Assuming the US likes Kagame, wouldn’t sustaining Kagame in power be an unbearable political burden for the US in the France /US relationship WHEN Juppe wins?
(e)Is Kagame trying to join Russia yet the Western allies have been using Kagame to fight Russia’s take over of Burundi?
By Charles Kambanda
