US Senator Menendez’s indictment raises questions about his anti-Rwanda views

Following Friday’s indictment of US Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian Menendez over corruption-related offences, analysts said his anti-Rwanda views could be another red flag. ALSO READ: Anti-Rwanda US Senator Bob Menendez charged for corruption Menendez, who chairs the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife are accused of accepting gold bars, a luxury car, and more than $500,000 in bribes to use his power and influence in criminal acts. The 69-year-old senator from New Jersey is known in Rwanda for supporting terror convict Paul Rusesabagina and calling for sanctions against Rwanda over allegations by DR Congo government that Rwanda supports the M23 rebels in North Kivu. ALSO READ: US scholar pins Rusesabagina on financing terror, genocide ideology Menendez’s second corruption indictment in 10 years has cast doubt on his credibility, especially regarding his anti-Rwanda views. “Since investigations against the indicted Senator Menendez and his wife aren't over yet, more should be dug out, preferably his relationships with [the Presidency of the DR Congo],” said Tom Ndahiro in a post on X. Since investigations against the indicted @SenatorMenendez & his wife aren't over yet, more should be dug out. Preferably his relationships with @Presidence_RDC pic.twitter.com/5er1l7KffL — Tom Ndahiro (@TomNdahiro) September 23, 2023 ALSO READ: By supporting terror suspects, Lantos Foundation falls on wrong side of history Menendez is said to have links with organisations like the Lantos Foundation, which also supported Rusesabagina. “Everything Senator Menendez has been working on should be reconsidered and should be seen in the light of corruption,” said Albert Rudatsimburwa, a political analyst of the Great Lakes Region. “Whatever he’s been accusing countries or entities of should be doubted because he may have been just making money out of that.” Rudatsimburwa said Menendez’s allegations against Rwanda might have been the “force of a corrupt hand that was pushing him to push a certain agenda.” He added that the senator is “only the visible tip of an iceberg” and that anything he said about Rwanda should be taken with a pinch of salt.

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US Senator Menendez’s indictment raises questions about his anti-Rwanda views