Afro-American lawmaker oppose release of Rwandan terror convict

WASHINGTON, US

An American lawmaker has opposed a resolution seeking the release of terror convict Paul Rusesabagina, stating that the latter has been accused of serious crimes and he can continue supporting violence and terrorism once set free.

Ilhan Omar, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was on Tuesday, February 8, reacting to a resolution calling on the Government of Rwanda to release Rusesabagina "on humanitarian grounds."

Omar is the first Somali American and the first naturalized citizen of African birth in the United States Congress, and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota. She is also one of the first two Muslim women (along with Rashida Tlaib) to serve in the Congress.

Congressmen Joaquin Castro of Texas and Young Kim of California tabled a resolution (HR 892) before the House Foreign Affairs Committee demanding the unconditional release of convicted terrorist, Rusesabagina.

Omar noted that the crimes that Rusesabagina has been accused of by the Rwandan government are serious.

She said that there was no guarantee that Rusesabagina who founded FLN militia group that murdered people in southwestern Rwanda in 2018 and 2019, would not continue with these terror activities once released.

“This man is credibly accused of terrorism, tried and convicted.”

“Although I understand the desire to release him on humanitarian grounds, I cannot support it. There is nothing stopping him from continuing supporting violence and terrorism of he is released.”

The House Foreign Affairs Committee is responsible for oversight and legislation relating to foreign assistance, Peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement of United Nations or other international sanctions, international law, Promotion of democracy.

Ilhan Omar is is the first Somali American 
and the first naturalized citizen of African
birth in the United States Congress

A trove of documents handed to Rwanda's prosecution by Belgian authorities pinned Rusesabagina on the atrocities, which he also acknowledged at the beginning of his trial and he was also pinned by fellow suspects including members of the militia group.

Rusesabagina is a Rwandan politician who worked as the manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, during a period in which it housed 1,268 Hutu and Tutsi refugees from the Interahamwe militia during the Rwandan genocide. None of these refugees were hurt or killed during the attacks.

An account of Rusesabagina's actions during the genocide was dramatized in Terry George's film Hotel Rwanda, in which he was portrayed by American actor Don Cheadle. 

The film has been the subject both of critical acclaim and deep controversy, particularly in Rwanda.

Rusesabagina lived in Belgium before he relocated to the US after a search was conducted and evidence was found pinning him on the terror activities in Rwanda.

He was arrested in August 2020 after he was tricked into a trip to Burundi from where he expected to meet senior leaders and members of his terror group. 

He was last year convicted and sentenced to 25 years by the High Court Chamber for International and Cross Border Crimes.