President Paul Kagame has said that the new United States administration may bring changes in its approach to African matters, but urged Africans to focus on working hard to adapt to the broader global shifts.
Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the President of the United States on January 20, after winning the 2024 election. His administration is anticipated to bring changes to the US foreign policy, including a shift in how the country engages with global issues.
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During a news conference held in Kigali on Thursday, January 9, Kagame said he respects the recently elected US administration as the American people’s democratic choice.
"Well, first of all, I respect the change that has taken place in the United States, because for it to happen, it must have been for very good reasons, that the Americans endorsed in their vote. So, I am happy with what there is, and I've got to deal with it the way it is,” he noted.
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He added that he anticipates that the new administration would bring shifts in various aspects, including geopolitics.
"And building on that, I think so many things have changed, and will change. First of all, the administration changed through a democratic process. There are many things, even geopolitically, at least the approach, that is going to change,” he said.
He highlighted that these changes would likely extend to how African matters, including the Eastern Congo situation, are dealt with.
"I guess that it will be the same to the approach of how African matters may be dealt with, generally,” he noted.
"And also, specifically, with eastern Congo, the same might see change happen. That's what I think, from a distance, and just waiting for what will follow,” he added.
The president also acknowledged that change is not only happening in the United States but is happening in various parts of the world at a terrific speed. He, therefore, said there is a need for Rwanda and Africa to work hard "to take care of ourselves, given the whirlwind of change sweeping across the world.”