Rwandan President Paul Kagame made a public appearance on Tuesday for the first time in over two weeks, quelling widespread speculation regarding his health and reaffirming his role in regional diplomacy.
At Urugwiro Village, President Kagame met with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who serves as one of the lead facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process aimed at resolving ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a statement released by the Rwandan Presidency:
«This afternoon at Urugwiro Village, President Kagame received Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is serving as one of the facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process for eastern DRC. They discussed the situation in the region, along with various key issues of continental and global significance. The two leaders shared insights on pathways toward stability, cooperation, and progress. »
📰 Also Read This:
The appearance comes after President Kagame was absent from public events since June 6, a hiatus that prompted growing concern on social media. Tensions escalated earlier this week when a forged document, bearing the insignia of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), falsely claimed that the president was critically ill and undergoing intensive medical treatment.
The RDF promptly disavowed the document, calling it a fabrication. “No such communication was issued by RDF,” a spokesperson said Tuesday, confirming that an investigation into the source of the forgery is underway.
Kagame’s meeting with Obasanjo is widely seen as a strategic effort to project stability and continuity in government amid what Rwandan officials have characterized as a coordinated disinformation campaign.
President Kagame, who has led Rwanda since 2000, remains a central figure in African regional diplomacy, particularly around efforts to resolve the protracted crisis in eastern DRC. His engagement with Obasanjo underlines Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to African-led peacebuilding initiatives.
Officials insist that Kagame remains in full command of state affairs and that all national institutions are functioning normally. The Presidency has urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to exercise caution in the face of misinformation circulating online.
