The international media paid attention to the success of the Qatari mediation in releasing the real hero of the film “Hotel Rwanda”, the Rwandan dissident Paul Ruspagina, highlighting the important role played by Qatari diplomacy in a number of thorny files and the good relations that Doha enjoys with Washington and Rwanda, which qualified it to play a mediating role and facilitate the process his release and transfer. A report by the British Middle East Eye website said: Rwandan President Paul Kagame commuted his sentence against Paul Ruspagina, in a move that was welcomed by the United States, Qatar and the United Kingdom. The Rwandan government released Paul Rusepagina, after talks mediated by the United States and Qatar. And he continued: “Both US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken welcomed the news, and Blinken thanked Qatar for its assistance.”
An important role The report stated that Rusebagina was transferred from Magragir prison to the residence of the Qatari ambassador in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. He is expected to stay there for two days before traveling to Doha and then to the United States, where he will live. Here, Qatar played the role of mediator between the Rwandan government, the United States and Rusepagina’s daughters, who actively campaigned for their father’s release. Yolande McCullough, a spokeswoman for the Rwandan government, told MEE that “Qatar has been active in seeking a humanitarian solution and facilitating post-release logistics.” “The commutation of Rusesabagina’s sentence was also the result of a common desire to restore relations between the United States and Rwanda,” she added. Patrick Smith, a specialist in African affairs, said: “The Rusepagina case was transferred to the US special envoy for hostage affairs. This political file emerged in Washington, attracted the support of Congress and civil society, and complicated relations between the United States and Rwanda.”
For its part, The East African newspaper highlighted that Qatar’s diplomatic moves helped the Rwandan government agree to release the 68-year-old “hero” of the Rwanda Hotel, Paul Ruspagina, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence. Rwanda’s Ministry of Justice issued a statement saying that Rusesabagina and co-defendants Calixte Nsabimana “Sankara” would be released after commuting their sentences “after consideration of their requests for pardon.” The commutation of Rusesabagina, his co-accused and 18 others imprisoned for their participation in similar crimes was the result of “a shared desire to reset relations between the United States and Rwanda”. The newspaper pointed out that this issue was discussed during meetings that brought together Qatari and Rwandan officials at the highest levels in the context of converging views, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame participated directly in the talks. In turn, CNN reported that Rwanda and Qatar enjoy close relations, just as Doha enjoys relations with Washington. Doha is also trying to mediate between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo over accusations of supporting the rebels.
