Prof HAKIZIMANA Maurice
It is not customary for Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, to address an official letter, made public, to his Rwandan counterpart, President Paul Kagame.Reading this correspondence, one thing becomes apparent: relations are no longer quite what they used to be between Washington and Kigali or, to put it symbolically, between the White House and Village Urugwiro.
The tone of the letter, the accusations it contains, and the demands it sets out all seem to point to a serious cooling of relations between the two capitals.I invite you to read the entire letter as published and draw your own conclusions.
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THE WHITE HOUSE — WASHINGTON — OCTOBER 28, 2026
His Excellency
Paul Kagame
President of the Republic of Rwanda
Dear Mr. President:
By this letter, pursuant to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), I am providing 60-day advance notice to your government that I intend to terminate the designation of the Republic of Rwanda as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, effective January 1, 2027.
I am taking this step because I have determined that the Government of Rwanda has not established, or is not making continual progress toward establishing, a system of democratic governance, protecting fundamental human rights, respecting the rule of law, and eliminating barriers to United States trade and investment, as required by section 104 of AGOA. In addition, the actions of your government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo pose a serious threat to regional stability, international security, and United States foreign policy interests in Africa.
In particular, Rwanda continues to provide military, logistical, and material support to the March 23 Movement (M23), including the deployment of Rwandan forces on Congolese territory, which has contributed to the destabilization of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The occupation of strategic territories by M23, the seizure of mineral-rich areas, and the grave human rights violations committed against Congolese civilians are unacceptable.
Your government’s actions undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, violate the spirit and obligations of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, and threaten the security of the Great Lakes region. Moreover, the exploitation and illicit trafficking of critical minerals originating from conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo, facilitated by networks operating in Rwanda, undermine the transparency of international supply chains and threaten American economic and strategic interests in Africa.
I am also deeply concerned by the persistent restrictions on political freedoms in Rwanda, including the repression of opposition leaders, the intimidation of independent journalists and civil society organizations, and the absence of a genuinely competitive democratic environment. A government that restricts political pluralism, suppresses dissent, and undermines democratic institutions cannot be considered a reliable partner in advancing the shared values of freedom, accountability, and the rule of law.
The United States remains committed to protecting its national security, advancing its economic interests, and promoting peace and stability throughout Africa. We will not allow the continued destabilization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the exploitation of its natural resources to undermine these objectives.
I will continue to monitor whether the Government of Rwanda is making meaningful progress in addressing these concerns, including the immediate cessation of all support to M23, the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and military equipment from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the protection of human rights, and the restoration of democratic freedoms.
It is my hope that your government will take the necessary steps to address these issues and demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace, democracy, and respect for the sovereignty of its neighbors, so that Rwanda may once again become eligible for AGOA benefits and rebuild its relationship with the United States on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.
Sincerely,
Signature
This letter comes comes shortly after sanctions imposed by the United States on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence (MINADEF) and the Rwandan military bank Zigama CSS, accused of supporting the M23, now known as the FRN.
It also follows U.S. sanctions targeting the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and several of its senior officers, including Stanislas Gashugi, Ruki Karusisi, General Mubarakh Muganga and Vincent Nyakarundi.
You may also read: Rwanda Suspended from the AGOA Programme: What Does It Mean and What Will the Consequences Be?
About the Author
Mwalimu Hakizimana Maurice is a teacher, interpreter-translator and writer based in Paris, France. He is the founder and owner of the information and educational platform Eurêka Academy Studio, also available on YouTube under the name Eurêka Studio TV.
Professor Hakizimana Maurice is the author of the book “UTABA AMATEKA NTABONA ITAKA” (Editions Scribes).
Don’t miss any of the latest publications and updates from Eurêka Academy Studio, available here on our website and on YouTube through Eurêka Studio TV.
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