Regional
Blinken’s speech in Rwanda nothing but a show of American hypocrisy, narcissism
The
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on August 11, wrapped up his Africa tour
in Rwanda. It was a trip intended to regain US admiration on the continent
despite the lecturing about good governance, democracy, security, human rights
and the so-called cooperation between the US and Africa in tackling global
challenges.
During
a press conference in Rwanda, Blinken delivered a speech full of hypocrisy and
egotism. He, among others, raised concerns regarding releasing terror convict
Paul Rusesabagina yet he also feigned concern about the human lives that get
victimized by conflict and violence while referring to the victims of MRCD-FLN
terror attacks in Nyabimata.
Blinken
refuses to tell the world that Rusesabagina is the founder of the National
Liberation Front (FLN), an armed wing of his Rwandan Movement for Democratic
Change (MRDC). In 2018, on three different occasions, Rusesabagina’s militias
carried out violent attacks inside Rwanda, killing nine civilians, injuring
several, and destroying properties.
Rusesabagina,
a terror convict Blinken and others in Washington call a hero due to a
character they manufactured in a fiction movie, made several statements
celebrating his militia’s criminal acts and claimed responsibility. In early
2019, in a video available online, Rusesabagina reaffirmed his allegiance to
his criminal group, declared war against Rwanda, and called for recruitment and
mobilization of combatants.
If
Blinken really cared about security in the region, why would he seek the
release of a terrorist who founded and financed a terrorist group responsible
for killing innocent Rwandans and destroying their properties?
Besides,
Blinken’s vanity also appeared in his preaching about human rights, where he
indirectly accused Rwanda of violation of freedom of speech. He said that
people in every country “should express their views without fear of
intimidation, imprisonment, violence, or any other forms of repression.”
He added that these “are values cherished by
the American people and people around the world; that’s why I raised them, as
have members of the U.S. Congress.”
But
Blinken said all this while, perhaps, forgetting that the Biden Administration
he serves, tried to impeach former President Donald Trump over delivering a speech
that triggered protests in the US capital, on January 6, 2021. If the US really
values freedom of speech, why would Trump get banned on social media?
The
death of George Floyd at the hands of US police is just one in thousands of
cases that demonstrate the country’s outright hypocrisy. While in Rwanda, and
in DRC, Blinken misrepresented facts, confused wrong with right, and simply
covered up the US agenda of seeking hegemony. His statements were rife with
political lies and ideological bias.
Worse
still, Blinken mentioned the FDLR’s collaboration with FARDC in the press
conference in Kigali but said nothing while in Kinshasa, yet the genocidal
militia operates from the DRC. In Kigali, he pushed the narrative of an old and
tired allegation – Rwanda’s alleged support of the M23 rebels. During his trip,
Blinken never wanted to examine the root cause of the M23 rebellion.
By
and large, attempting to style itself as a human rights judge and role model,
the US slanders and attacks other countries every year but this only continues
to show its hypocrisy and double standards.
Recently,
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan inflamed tensions with China.
Based on the tension triggered by the US in China due to Pelosi’s visit to the
island, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the lecturing of democracy, and human
rights during Blinken’s tour in Africa, the US should stick to its knitting and
let the world enjoy its freedom.
The
repugnant hypocrisy displayed by the US must end if it wishes to promote any
value in Rwanda with any authority.