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Rwanda: Bush in Kigali Next Week
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The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
14 February 2008
Posted to the web 14 February 2008
Sulah Nuwamanya
Kigali
The United States President, George W. Bush, who is expected in Rwanda on February 19, is to discuss the situation in DR Congo with his Rwandan counterpart, a US diplomatic source in Kigali has revealed.
The US President and his wife Laura will embark on their last presidential trip to Africa from February 15-21, 2008, visiting five African nations; Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia.
The US Embassy source said on condition of anonymity that discussions with Kagame will also include, among others, the problem of the Interahamwe in eastern DR Congo, and other hostile forces stationed there.
It is believed that thousands of Interahamwe (militia responsible for genocide in 1994) are still holed up in the jungles of DRC. This has forced Rwanda to invade that country on two occasions.
"Yes, it's true that the two presidents will discuss the issue of Rwandan Interahamwe in DRC and the general situation there, especially after the signing of the peace agreement by warring parties there early this year," the diplomat said.
However, officially both Rwandan and US officials here are still tight-lipped on what the two leaders will discuss. A press statement from the State Department announcing Bush's visit said the trip will be an opportunity to review firsthand the significant progress made since his last visit in 2003, particularly in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases. The US government supports these programmes in Rwanda.
The two leaders, according to the State Department, will also discuss the US' continued partnership with African countries in the quest for democratic reforms, respect for human rights, free trade, open investment regimes, and economic opportunity across the continent.
With one week left to the visit, members of the US Secret Service responsible for the American President's protection are already in town.
Meanwhile, Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Co-operation, Rosemary Museminari, has said that the US President will not spend a night in the country.
Bush will be the second sitting US president to visit Rwanda. His predecessor Bill Clinton paid a brief visit to the country in 1998.
Bush's visit comes at a time when America is seen as a close ally of Rwanda.
This development is perceived as strategic, especially in the war against terrorism, but critics say the world's only super power is trying to exorcise the guilt of doing nothing to stop the 1994 genocide.
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Bush's Africa visit also comes at a time the United States is planning to establish its African Defence Command in Africa (AFRICOM).
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