President Paul Kagame has held talks with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a visit to Doha on September 12, where he conveyed Rwanda’s solidarity following the Israeli strikes that targeted the Gulf nation earlier in the week.
The head of state extended his condolences for the lives lost during the September 9 attack, which the Israel Defense Forces said was aimed at eliminating senior Hamas leaders residing in Doha.
Kagame’s visit came just days after the assault, underscoring Rwanda’s stance against actions that undermine international peace and stability.
In its official statement, the Government of Rwanda strongly condemned the strikes, warning that “deliberately undermining the basic principles that govern relations among states is dangerous and unacceptable.
It risks dragging the world into unprecedented lawlessness.” The statement further criticized what it called global indifference, stressing that “hypocrisy and indifference in such circumstances, especially when demonstrated by powerful nations, expose the world to instability and crises.”
During his meeting with the Emir, Kagame expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts in mediating conflicts in different parts of the world, including the Great Lakes Region.
He noted that Qatar has played an important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation, citing recent negotiations it hosted in July between the Congolese government and AFC/M23 rebels that resulted in the signing of a declaration of principles agreement.
The discussions also touched on the need for accountability and the pursuit of a just resolution to the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East. Kagame emphasized that Qatar deserves recognition for its commitment to peacebuilding efforts in Africa and beyond.
Rwanda and Qatar share longstanding cooperation across sectors such as investment, aviation, tourism, and security. Qatar Airways is set to acquire a 49 percent stake in RwandAir, while the Gulf state also holds a 60 percent share in the Bugesera International Airport project, valued at USD 780 million.
Once complete, the airport is expected to handle up to 14 million passengers annually.
