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The United States thanked Kigali for releasing Paul Rusesabagina, the “Hotel Rwanda” hero who had been detained after criticising the administration.
An American permanent resident named Rusesabagina, who is also a citizen of Belgium, arrived at the home of the Qatari ambassador in Kigali just before midnight, according to a US official.
He’ll probably remain “a few days” before travelling to Qatar, which assisted in arranging his release, and then the US, according to a different US official.
Although US officials claimed no promises were made to Kigali beyond public acknowledgement of their action, Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement praising the release.
Paul is reuniting with his family, which is a comfort. The US government is appreciative of the Rwandan government for making this reunion possible, Blinken said.
“We also thank the government of Qatar for their invaluable support, which will make Paul’s trip back to America possible.”
Rusesabagina, who is credited with saving approximately 1,200 lives at a hotel he oversaw during the 1994 genocide, grew to be a critic of President Paul Kagame and was given a 25-year prison term on terrorism-related charges.
Blinken firmly opposed political violence in a carefully worded remark, but he did not support Rwanda’s allegations against Rusesabagina.
“The United States envisions a peaceful and prosperous Rwanda,” Blinken said.
In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Blinken has supported claims that Kigali supports rebels, a US source said that the release had not diminished US concern about Rwanda’s involvement.
