President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, April 8, met with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump, for discussions that centred on security in the Great Lakes Region and US investments in Rwanda. Kagame and Boulos “had a productive discussion on partnerships to achieve long-term peace in the Great Lakes, and plans to scale up U.S. investment in strategic sectors in Rwanda and the wider region,” Village Urugwiro said in statement. ALSO READ: Kagame on the West’s silence over Kinshasa-backed FDLR Boulos, who is on first regional tour as Trump’s senior advisor for Africa since his appointment on April 1, told reporters in Kigali that the Trump administration supported peace in the Great Lakes Region. “President Kagame and I discussed a vision for a closer partnership, one that is rooted in regional stability and peace as well as economic development,” said Boulos, who had also met with Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Kenya’s William Ruto. “From these visits, it’s clear to me how vitally important a durable peace is for this region. We support the security and territorial integrity of all states in this region.” ALSO READ: Ex-FDLR leader: DR Congo’s support for Genocidal militia still the biggest threat to peace He visited the region at the backdrop of the conflict between DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels. Rwanda has expressed concerns about the Congolese army’s collaboration with the FDLR, a group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Rwandan government also raised its concerns about the intentions of the Congolese government coalition, which included the FDLR, Burundian troops, SADC forces and European mercenaries, to attack Rwanda, in line with Tshisekedi’s threats to topple Rwandan leaders. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, allegations Rwanda dismisses, saying its defensive measures will remain in place to prevent the threats from materialising. The US official said a peaceful end to the conflict, which has been recurring for 30 years, was needed for the region to utilise their economic potential. He spoke about investments by American companies in Rwanda and in the region and why they need to work in a peaceful region. “There are many American companies already invested in Rwanda,” he said, noting the country’s “vision of being an economic leader.” “We are ready to work with Rwanda to achieve this goal, which is why finding a resolution to the conflict in eastern [DR Congo] is so essential as it will unlock the region’s untapped potential.” He noted Rwanda’s commitment to the pursuit of peace in the region and affirmed US willingness to “facilitate a peaceful end to the conflict.”
