{"id":2000131946,"date":"2026-11-11T09:45:57","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T07:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000131946"},"modified":"2026-11-11T09:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T07:46:04","slug":"rwanda-is-special-kagame-is-special-us-congressman-trent-kelly-reaffirms-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/rwanda-is-special-kagame-is-special-us-congressman-trent-kelly-reaffirms-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Rwanda is special, Kagame is special\u2019 \u2013 US Congressman Trent Kelly reaffirms ties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kelly made the remarks on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during the U.S.\u2013Rwanda Congressional Prayer Breakfast, which he co-hosted with the Embassy of Rwanda in the United States, bringing together members of Congress and friends of Rwanda to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRwanda is special, President Kagame is special. He does so many things for not just Rwanda but for all of Africa,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with countries that share common values and demonstrate commitment to progress, saying the United States should invest in such partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we have people who are doing the right things in the right way, who have the right spirit, we have to invest in those. So I\u2019m always proud to call Rwanda friend. And I always will be,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakfast also brought together other US lawmakers and Rwandan officials, who highlighted Rwanda\u2019s development and opportunities for closer cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, reflected on his visit to Rwanda, saying his experience had changed his perception of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guthrie said he had previously formed an image of Rwanda from films but gained a different understanding after visiting and seeing its institutions, business environment and people firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo get on the ground and see the order, people working, the rule of law. I mean, everything that you ask, that we ask for a partner around the world was going on there,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He encouraged others interested in Africa to visit Rwanda and experience the country firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwanda\u2019s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Usta Kaitesi, highlighted the role of the US Congress in translating commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity into lasting benefits for people in the Great Lakes region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Washington on December 4, 2025, the Washington Accords provide a framework for addressing security tensions between the two countries and advancing regional economic cooperation. A central security commitment is the neutralisation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group that Rwanda has long identified as a threat to its national security and has consistently called for its dismantling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FDLR militia group was formed by remnants of the forces responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, who fled to neighbouring DR Congo following their defeat by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), then led by President Paul Kagame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement also provides for the lifting of Rwanda\u2019s defensive measures. On the economic front, the accords seek to strengthen cross-border cooperation in areas including mineral supply chains, energy, infrastructure and tourism, with the aim of translating improved security into shared economic opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during the Tuesday gathering, Dr. Kaitesi recalled the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which devastated Rwanda, and expressed gratitude to American partners who supported the country’s recovery and transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRwanda has emerged, transformed itself, built a people that have been described very well in this room, allowed innovation and hard work, and participated in the progress of not only our people but also of our continent,\u201d Dr. Kaitesi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She thanked US partners for their contribution to Rwanda\u2019s recovery, adding that their support had helped the country rebuild and pursue development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwanda\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, also acknowledged members of Congress for their leadership and continued support in strengthening relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She singled out the US\u2013Rwanda Congressional Caucus for its role in advancing shared interests and called for continued cooperation towards peace, prosperity and shared opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prayer breakfast comes as Rwanda and the United States seek to build on their longstanding partnership, including cooperation on regional peace, economic development and shared strategic interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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The Prayer Breakfast brought together members of Congress and friends of Rwanda to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"'Rwanda
US Congressman Trent Kelly has reaffirmed his friendship with Rwanda, describing the country and President Paul Kagame as special while calling for greater investment in relationships with trusted international partners.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, reflected on his visit to Rwanda, saying his experience had changed his perception of the country.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Rwanda\u2019s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Usta Kaitesi, highlighted the role of the US Congress in translating commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity into lasting benefits for people in the Great Lakes region.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Rwanda\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, also acknowledged members of Congress for their leadership and continued support in strengthening relations between the two countries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

US Congressman Trent Kelly has reaffirmed his friendship with Rwanda, describing the country and President Paul Kagame as special while calling for greater investment in relationships with trusted international partners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000131952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"archived_slugs":[],"footnotes":"","igh_game_id":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[151,69],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000131946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-editors-choice","tag-homehighlights","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":2000122456,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-11.58.47-AM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 11.58.47 AM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":131,"twitter_handle":""}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":2000122456,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-11.58.47-AM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 11.58.47 AM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":131,"twitter_handle":""}],"featured_image":{"id":2000131952,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew.jpg","alt":"'Rwanda is special, Kagame is special\u2019 \u2013 US Congressman Trent Kelly reaffirms ties","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":1500,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew-300x200.jpg","width":300,"height":200},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew-768x512.jpg","width":768,"height":512},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew-1024x683.jpg","width":1024,"height":683},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/11\/HWx5o6gXwAASSNdnew.jpg","width":1500,"height":1000}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000131946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000131946"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000131946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000131959,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000131946\/revisions\/2000131959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000131952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000131946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000131946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000131946"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000131946"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000131946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}