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Home East Africa Rwanda insists new envoy to UK takes office in the New Year despite opposition

Rwanda insists new envoy to UK takes office in the New Year despite opposition

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By Kwanta Douglas –

Rwanda maintains that its new ambassador to the United Kingdom will report to work in the New Year, despite growing calls from human-rights activists for the government to reject President Paul Kagame’s nomination.

The Kigali government claims that those “desperate to salvage the reputation of Paul Rusesabagina,” who was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison on terrorism charges, are pushing out criticism of the designated ambassador, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General Johnston Busingye.

Mr Rusesabagina, 67, rose to fame after his life was portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda, and was found guilty by a Rwandan court of supporting a rebel group responsible for deadly attacks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019. The sentence was handed down at the conclusion of a seven-month trial.

His family rejected the verdict, claiming that he had been kidnapped and that the subsequent trial was “illegal.”

If his appointment is confirmed by the UK government, Mr Busingye will replace Yamina Karitanyi who has since taken office in Kigali as head of the Rwanda Mines, Gas and Petroleum Board.

The post in London still remains vacant months later.

“Ambassador Busingye will be arriving at some point in the New Year. We have every confidence that he will make Rwanda proud and help us build on our already strong relationship with the UK,” Yolande Makolo, Rwanda’s government spokesperson told The EastAfrican.

“Those trying to take advantage of the appointment of our High Commissioner appointee are desperate to salvage the reputation of Paul Rusesabagina — a man who very publicly spoke about founding an armed group, the FLN, even as they conducted attacks which killed innocent Rwandans, including children,” Ms Makolo added.

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