Rusesabagina, a Belgian citizen and US permanent resident, is “at the Qatari ambassador’s residence in Kigali. He arrived half an hour ago. This is excellent news, really,” a US official said just after midnight Rwandan time.
He will probably remain “for a few days” in the place before traveling to Qatar, which helped negotiate his release, to then travel to the United States, another official source said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement celebrating the release, although US officials said the Rwandan government had made no promises beyond public recognition of the move.
“It’s a relief to know that Paul will be reunited with his family, and the US government thanks the Rwandan government for making this reunion possible,” Blinken said. “We are also grateful to the government of Qatar for their valuable assistance, which will enable Paul to return to the United States,” he added.
Rusesabagina – who was a hotel manager in the Rwandan capital, Kigali – is credited with helping 1,200 people escape the 1994 Rwandan genocide. moderate Hutus. His story inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda”, nominated for an Oscar in 2005, which gave him notoriety.
Rusesabagina, now 68, was arrested after a trial that his supporters criticized as a “farce” and said the trial was riddled with irregularities. He was accused of supporting the National Liberation Front (FLN), an insurgent group blamed for attacks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019.
He denies any involvement in the attacks, but is one of the founders of the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), an opposition group of which the FLN is considered its armed wing.
In a cautious statement, Blinken refuted political violence, without supporting Rwanda’s accusations against Rusesabagina. “The United States believes in a peaceful and prosperous Rwanda,” said Blinken. “We reaffirm the principle of seeking political change in Rwanda through peaceful means. There is simply no room for political violence,” he added.
A US official said the release did not change US concerns about Rwanda’s role in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where Blinken backed up accusations that the Rwandan government supported rebels.
Rusesabagina’s family had long warned that his health was deteriorating, and they feared he might die in prison. “We were happy with the news of his release. The family hopes to be able to reunite with him soon”, declared in a statement people close to him, before the news of his release.