'Just ridiculous': Rwanda's Paul Kagame dismisses EU human rights report

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Twenty-five years on from the genocide in Rwanda that saw as many as one million people slaughtered, FRANCE 24 interviews President Paul Kagame, alongside EU Development Commissioner Neven Mimica, at the European Development Days event in Brussels.

In the last quarter-century, Rwanda's people, economy and development have moved on from the killings to such a point that the country is often held up to other nations undergoing conflict, violence and political turmoil as a positive example.

However, as Rwanda's GDP per capita is ranked 36th in Africa at $2,081*, government investments such as the multimillion-pound sponsorship of the UK's Arsenal Football Club have raised questions about Kigali's development investment strategy.

Meanwhile, human rights concerns remain: the European Union's 2018 human rights report highlights "serious violations of civil and political rights". FRANCE 24 asks President Kagame why his response to this report is that it is "ridiculous".

And as the EU Commission prepares to renew itself, we ask what priorities the European Union has for development as a whole, and for Rwanda specifically.

*International Monetary Fund, 2017

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[limatad]

if you keep coming back to listen to how H.E president kagame handled this journalist, hit like

[elenabarreca]

"Why don't you talk about human rights violations in your own countries?" Yes Kagame! Great to hear some truth in all this hypocrisy!

[KwaBenA_OfoRi]

3 years on and Paul Kagame's punchlines 👊🏾 still hit the same 💪🏾
Leaving this comment here so I can come back to watch every time someone likes it.

[fitawrarifitness]

They never ask about Rwanda having the most women Parliamentarians in the world, or the first drone airport in the world, or the first country to ban plastic bags.

[venicevlove]

President Kagame was so chill even with her great disrespect. I tip my hat to this man. I'm excited to see a New Africa and watching the process this far is amazing.

[iali]

If he is a dictator then we need more like him.

[moekaba]

This is why we should never let the western media tell our stories. Much respect to President Kagame, we need more of our leaders to be as courageous as him. UNBELIEVABLE!

[gaolatlheMo]

This man will go down in history as one of Africa's greatest presidents. He has my respect. 🇧🇼

[lukhanyomabutyana]

President Paul Kagame is one of the greatest leaders the world has ever had, not just Africa but the world at large. I have huge respect for him. It always fascinates me how he addresses western double standards and superiority complex while maintaining a very calm tone. What he has done with Rwanda is commendable and Africa is in desperate need of leaders like him.

[FarmMinds]

This President got brains, a deep thinker. Love the way he handled the journalist. Love from Nigeria 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 flying the 🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼

[Jaja_nsh]

That moment when you feel so proud 💪🏾to be an African and exceptionally a Rwandan🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼

[tafilaletme]

Well done mister president …much love from Morocco 🇲🇦

[afrahhayget]

I am not Rwandan but this is my president 😍😍

[Benyi-Shabah]

The Hutu and Tutsi peacefully coexisted for hundreds of years before European colonialism..

[BA-ppfx]

france talking about human right is a joke

[getupsta]

First time in Rwanda and I have developed tremendous amount of respect for what Kagame has done in this country. Don't let the media fool you, his people loves him and many can learn from this man blueprint.

[casmuden]

Julius Malema would have said ‘you must listen to me unless you want to interview yourself’

Africa is awakening 👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿

[kayongagabriel]

I always watch this interview, over and over! H.E P.kagame is a man of all seasons! He puts the interests of the people of Rwanda first and others later. What u will ever think abt him in a negative way from other parts of the world is different from the reality on the ground. As a Rwandan, im always and i will alwz be on his side, because what he's doing for our Country and its people is remarkable. Never confuse the opposition and the Tutsi genocide deniers, in the actual sense, those deniers are the perpetrators of the Tutsi genocide that took place in Rwanda. They are still roaming free in European countries! Longlive Your excellency P.Kagame.

[janvierma]

"Education is not only about access, but quality as well". Absolutely well said

[izzyboymokoena]

Get these lady to interview Julius Malema, she will regret the day she was born....