Kagame must be stopped

For anyone paying attention to what is happening in Rwanda, President Paul Kamage’s actions come as no surprise. I have been highlighting the case of Paul Rusesabagina, the Hotel Rwanda hero who was kidnapped, arrested, tortured, and recently sentenced to 25 years in prison. His official charges include terrorism but his real crime is speaking out against Kagame’s repressive and violent regime.

Rusesabagina is not Kagame’s first victim, nor his last. Since Rusesabagina was abducted in August 2020, at least 38 people have been forcibly disappeared, killed, or thrown in jail. Recently a mother of four was sentenced to 15 years in prison for posting YouTube videos that were critical of Kagame and his oppressive government. Rwandans who live outside that nation are expected to take loyalty oaths to Kagame’s regime and actions that embarrass him or other higher-ups in his government can face up to five years in prison for each act. Freedom of speech is not a thing in Rwanda.

Rusesabagina has always been a voice for the voiceless in Rwanda, from when he helped those 1268 people at the Hotel Milles Collines in 1994 through today where he continues to speak out against Kagame’s oppression. He is not alone, as other Rwandans have joined the cause in letting the world know of Rwanda’s continuing plight, and unfortunately, all have shared one thing- the wrath of Kagame.