Kagame and a Trump advisor engage in discussions regarding regional security and US investments

On Tuesday, April 8, President Paul Kagame engaged in discussions with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump, focusing on security in the Great Lakes Region and US investments in Rwanda.

Kagame and Boulos engaged in a fruitful dialogue regarding collaborations aimed at fostering enduring peace in the Great Lakes, as well as strategies to enhance U.S. investment in key sectors in Rwanda and the broader region, according to a statement from Village Urugwiro.

Boulos, currently on his first regional tour as Trump’s senior advisor for Africa since his appointment on April 1, informed reporters in Kigali that the Trump administration was in favor of peace in the Great Lakes Region.

“President Kagame and I discussed a vision for a closer partnership, one that is rooted in regional stability and peace as well as economic development,” stated Boulos, who had also met with Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and William Ruto of Kenya.

The conversations focused on security within the Great Lakes Region and American investments in Rwanda.

“These visits have made it evident to me how crucial a lasting peace is for this region. We uphold the security and territorial integrity of every state in this region.

He visited the region against the backdrop of the conflict between DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels. Rwanda has raised alarms regarding the partnership between the Congolese army and the FDLR, a group associated with the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Rwandan government expressed its concerns regarding the intentions of the Congolese government coalition, which comprises the FDLR, Burundian troops, SADC forces, and European mercenaries, to launch an attack on Rwanda, aligning with Tshisekedi’s threats to overthrow Rwandan leaders.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda has rejected, asserting that its defensive measures will continue to be in effect to avert any potential threats.

A US official stated that a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has persisted for 30 years, is essential for the region to harness its economic potential.

He discussed the investments made by American companies in Rwanda and the surrounding region, emphasizing the importance of operating in a peaceful environment.

“Numerous American companies have already made investments in Rwanda,” he remarked, highlighting the nation’s “aspiration to become an economic leader.”

“We are prepared to collaborate with Rwanda to reach this objective, which is why resolving the conflict in eastern [DR Congo] is crucial, as it will unleash the region’s untapped potential.”

He acknowledged Rwanda’s dedication to achieving peace in the region and confirmed the US’s readiness to “facilitate a peaceful end to the conflict.”