Nduhungirehe reacts to concerns over President Kagame’s absence from AU summit

The clarification followed remarks by Jeune Afrique journalist Romain Gras, who appeared to question why President Kagame did not attend the summit, noting that he had been in the United States over the weekend attending the NBA All-Star Game.

Responding to the comments, Nduhungirehe emphasized that many African leaders were also absent and that Rwanda had official representation at the highest level.

“President Paul Kagame did not personally attend the 39th Session of the African Union Assembly, just like nearly half of the African Heads of State. In Addis Ababa, he was duly represented by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva. So, there is nothing new under the sun!” the minister said.

The AU summit was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14 and 15, 2026. Rwanda was represented by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, who addressed key continental priorities, including health and security, in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

On regional security, Nsengiyumva told fellow African leaders that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to violate the Washington peace agreements and the Doha principles. He stressed that all parties concerned must honour their commitments to create conditions for sustainable peace.

The Prime Minister further argued that actors directly involved in the conflict in eastern DRC should not participate in mediation efforts led by the AU, warning that such involvement undermines trust and raises concerns over impartiality.

Meanwhile, President Kagame was in Los Angeles on a working visit. He met with Adam Silver, Commissioner of the National Basketball Association, and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, to discuss ongoing cooperation between the league and Rwanda in developing basketball talent.

He also held talks with Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, whose franchise promotes Rwanda’s tourism brand through the “Visit Rwanda” partnership launched in September 2025.

The NBA All-Star Game took place at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ 18,000-seat arena in Los Angeles, where Visit Rwanda branding has been displayed since last year.