Rwandan President Paul Kagame has made a public appearance after a notable absence that fueled widespread speculation about his health. On Tuesday, the Office of the President shared photos of Kagame, 67, in a meeting with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo at Urugwiro Village, the presidential office in Kigali.
The meeting, according to the official statement, centered on regional peace and security, particularly the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Obasanjo is currently one of the facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace initiative aimed at resolving tensions in the region, where Rwanda has been accused of supporting armed rebel groups fighting the Congolese government.
“The two leaders shared insights on pathways toward stability, cooperation, and progress,” the presidency stated. They also discussed broader issues of continental and global relevance.
Kagame’s appearance comes after nearly three weeks without any public sightings or engagements, with his last known activity dated June 6 on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. This unusual absence sparked rumors both online and within Rwanda about the president’s health—rumors further stoked by claims from a dissident in Canada alleging Kagame was being treated for a brain injury in Germany. However, a German diplomatic source told AFP they had no knowledge of such a case.
In response to the speculation, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told local news outlet Taarifa, “There is nothing to be worried or concerned about,” firmly denying the health-related rumors.
Additionally, the Rwandan Defence Force discredited a social media statement falsely attributed to them that claimed President Kagame was facing a serious health crisis. In a post on X, the military called the message “fake.”
Paul Kagame has been at the helm of Rwandan leadership since 1994, following his role in ending the genocide that claimed the lives of over 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi minority. While many Rwandans hail him as a transformational leader responsible for the nation’s rapid development and stability, critics argue that his administration suppresses dissent and political opposition.
Despite mounting criticism, Kagame was re-elected for a fourth term in 2024, winning more than 99 percent of the vote in an election many observers viewed with skepticism.
