Top U.S. Diplomat Visits DR Congo and Rwanda Amid Tensions
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed for Rwanda on Wednesday August 10, 2022 after meeting with Democratic Republic of Congo leaders to discuss tensions and human rights challenges in Africa's Great Lakes region.
The State Department said Blinken's visit to Kigali is part of continuing efforts to engage with African leaders on U.S. strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, with the aim of strengthening U.S.-Rwandan relations.
Key issues to be addressed during Blinken's visit are the tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other conflicts in the region, Voice of America reports.
Blinken arrived in DR Congo on Tuesday August 9, 2022. He was expected to raise concerns that tensions with neighbouring Rwanda could spread instability in the region. Voice of America reports that political analysts say the U.S. is also concerned about Russia and China's access to rare earth minerals in the DR Congo.
Blinken is visiting the DRC and Rwanda as part of his second trip to Africa as the U.S. top diplomat. He has already visited South Africa on his trip.
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Rwanda:
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Arrives in Rwanda to Discuss Tensions With DRC, Human Rights
RFI, 11 August 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to hold talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame amid calls from campaigners to pressure Kigali over its human rights record and alleged… Read more »
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Rwanda:
U.S. Urged to Prioritize Human Rights Ahead of Blinken's Visit to Rwanda
VOA, 10 August 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed for Rwanda Wednesday after meeting with Democratic Republic of Congo leaders to discuss tensions and human rights challenges in… Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa:
Blinken, in Kinshasa, Expresses Concern At DRC's Arrest of Opposition Leader
VOA, 10 August 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to have "free, fair, and on-time elections" while expressing concern over the detention of… Read more »
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Rwanda:
U.S. Concerned By UN Report Saying Rwanda Is Backing Rebels
VOA, 10 August 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he is very concerned about a U.N. report that says Rwanda is backing rebels in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa:
Secretary Blinken's Meeting With DRC Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde
State Department, 10 August 2022
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Democratic Republic of the Congo Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde in Kinshasa. Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa:
Blinken Arrives in DRC - Regional Stability Tops Agenda
VOA, 9 August 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday to raise concerns that tensions with neighboring Rwanda could spread instability in… Read more »
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Rwanda:
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Visits DRC, Rwanda Amid Tensions Over M23 Rebels
RFI, 9 August 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the second leg of his three-nation African tour that began in South Africa at the weekend, and is… Read more »
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken Departs Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on August 10, 2022.
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The choice of Kinshasa and Kigali as two of the three stops on a visit to Africa of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reflects the urgency of escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and rising tension between Rwanda and the DRC.
READ: Blinken to Visit South Africa, DR Congo and Rwanda
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