Kagame Accuses CNN of Editing Interview to Create Misleading Narrative
Stephanie Nyombayire, spokesperson for the Rwandan presidency, shared remarks that she said were omitted from the published version of the interview, arguing that they provide crucial context on Rwanda’s position regarding the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused CNN of selectively editing his interview to fit a predetermined editorial stance, following the network’s exclusive sit-down with him that was aired on Monday.
Stephanie Nyombayire, spokesperson for the Rwandan presidency, shared remarks that she said were omitted from the published version of the interview, arguing that they provide crucial context on Rwanda’s position regarding the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
Keep Reading
The interview, conducted by CNN’s Africa correspondent Larry Madowo, addressed allegations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebel group, which recently intensified fighting against Congolese forces.
While CNN reported that Kagame avoided directly confirming or denying the presence of Rwandan troops in DR Congo, Ms Nyombayire asserted that key statements from the president had been removed to shape a misleading narrative.
Among the omitted remarks, Kagame reportedly emphasized that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group composed of remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, poses an existential threat to Rwanda and enjoys backing from regional governments.
“FDLR are associated and supported by governments in the region. Their aim is not only to fight M23, who are Congolese, but to fight Rwanda and overthrow the government, as they have said publicly,” Kagame was quoted as saying.
“Does anyone think Rwanda will sit back and wait for that to happen? Rwanda will fight back in whatever form, there is no question about it.”
The American cable network omitted this and instead cut to vague responses, Ms Nyombayire said.
She also claimed the American cable network downplayed Kagame’s insistence on respecting national sovereignty.
“I subscribe to the idea of respecting sovereignty of countries. That means the sovereignty of Rwanda must also be respected. There is no sovereignty of any country that is more important than the sovereignty of another,” Kagame reportedly stated, criticising the international community’s double standards.
The presidency also accused CNN of omitting Kagame’s broader critique of international inaction regarding the presence of FDLR in DR Congo.
“The same international community blaming Rwanda is the one that has left FDLR in Congo for 30 years. Two and a half decades and close to $40 billion later, what stability is there? Putting the blame on Rwanda is the easiest way of covering up the mess they have been involved with and caused in our region,” Kagame was quoted as saying.
CNN’s published version of the interview highlighted Kagame’s evasive response when asked about Rwandan military activity in DR Congo.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked if Rwandan troops were present, adding, “There are many things I don’t know. But if you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do anything to protect itself? I’d say 100%.”
The network also drew attention to Kagame’s comparison to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a parallel that Kagame dismissed.
"There will be so many stories,” he said, suggesting that speculation about Rwanda’s role in the conflict was inevitable.
The controversy over CNN’s reporting underscores the deepening tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo, where accusations of foreign interference have fuelled the conflict. Kagame maintained in his comments that Rwanda is primarily focused on self-defense.
“The most important thing for Rwanda is that we have to protect ourselves. In our minds, we understand that nobody is going to be there for us. We saw it in 1994,” he was quoted as saying.
CNN has yet to publicly respond to the Rwandan presidency’s claims regarding the alleged selective editing of the interview.
