For years, Paul Kagame has been seen by the West as a model African leader and symbol of stability. However, as French Member of the European Parliament, Thierry Mariani bluntly stated, the reality is far darker. Mariani did not mince words, referring to Kagame as a “thug” or “voyou” in French highlighting the West's disturbing willingness to ignore his human rights abuses, democratic erosion, and destabilizing role in the DRC for political and economic gain

The West’s promotion of democracy is contradicted by its close relationship with Kagame, whose regime is notorious for repression and human rights abuses. His 2024 re-election, with 99.018% of the vote, exemplifies Rwanda's transformation into a one-party state, where opposition is silenced and elections are mere performances

Perhaps the most damning indictment of Kagame’s regime—and by extension, the West’s complicity—is his involvement in the ongoing conflict in the DRC. Kagame’s government is fighting in Congo under a terrorist group called M23 according to DRC Congo, where valuable minerals are mined under horrific conditions. A July 2024 UN report laid bare Kagame’s responsibility in the massacres occurring in the Kivu region, where Rwandan-backed militias have been implicated in atrocities ranging from mass killings to sexual violence.

Despite this, the West remains conspicuously silent. The EU and the U.S. have done little to hold Kagame accountable for his actions in the DRC, even as millions of Congolese continue to suffer.

A striking example of this hypocrisy is the agreement signed between the EU and Rwanda in February 2024 concerning critical raw materials. As Mariani pointed out, this deal was lauded as a partnership based on sustainability and human rights. Yet, despite these lofty promises, the agreement’s text has never been made public, raising serious questions about its true nature. Why the secrecy? Why hide the details if this deal is as transparent and progressive as the EU claims?

When the EU signed its critical raw materials agreement with Rwanda, one of the central promises was transparency. The deal was supposed to ensure that the materials sourced from Rwanda were done so ethically, free from the taint of conflict or exploitation. However, as Mariani pointed out, these promises of transparency have proven to be little more than a facade. An international study, notably reported by Le Monde, revealed that the mechanisms meant to guarantee transparency were manipulated, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of the entire agreement.

This revelation underscores the broader failure of the West’s engagement with Kagame. Rather than promoting good governance or ethical practices, the West’s relationship with Rwanda has become a case study in how geopolitical and economic priorities can corrupt international relations.

The West’s alliance with Kagame is not only morally indefensible—it is also strategically shortsighted. For too long, the West has turned a blind eye to Kagame’s actions, willing to overlook his authoritarianism in exchange for access to Rwanda’s resources and his perceived role as a stabilizing force in the region. But as Mariani’s critique reminds us, this is a dangerous gamble. By propping up Kagame, the West risks not only perpetuating suffering in Rwanda and the DRC but also setting a dangerous precedent that autocrats can be rewarded as long as they play by the rules of international markets.

The West’s alliance with Paul Kagame is not just a moral failure; it is a betrayal of the very principles that the EU and U.S. claim to uphold. For too long, Kagame has been able to masquerade as a reformer while ruling as a thug. It is time for the world to see through the illusion and demand real change. Only then can Rwanda and its neighbors hope to achieve the peace, justice, and prosperity they deserve