from PHYLLIS BIRORI in Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda Bureau
KIGALI, (CAJ News) – ACROSS Africa, political and business leaders are expressing concern about aspects of the United States’ policy under President Donald Trump — from aggressive tariff strategies to sanctions and transactional diplomacy — even as Washington brokers peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region.
Rwanda’s government, in particular, has articulated caution about external pressures and underscored the importance of African autonomy.
In late 2025, the Trump administration helped facilitate what came to be known as the Washington Accords — a peace framework aimed at ending decades of conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
At a signing ceremony in Washington, Trump sought to highlight his role in mediating ceasefire efforts and economic integration.
However, some African leaders have interpreted U.S. engagement through a “transactional” lens, focused on strategic minerals and economic access rather than long-term peacebuilding.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has publicly described the U.S. approach as pragmatic and focused on deliverables rather than traditional diplomatic rhetoric.
In Washington, Kagame stated that Trump’s mediation was “even-handed — never taking sides,” and that it emphasized measurable outcomes for peace.
Yet such transactional diplomacy has sparked unease.
Kigali has pushed back strongly against international criticism — including U.S. sanctions targeting figures like General James Kabarebe over alleged involvement in eastern Congo conflicts — asserting that these measures are counterproductive and misguided.
Independent commentators have described such sanctions as “absolutely foolish” in the context of complex regional security dynamics.
At the same time, broader U.S. economic policies — including sweeping tariff initiatives designed to reshape global trade — have unsettled export-oriented African economies.
Trump’s flat customs tariffs, for example, triggered significant market reactions worldwide.
While Rwandan officials publicly framed tariff impacts as manageable — even an opportunity for structural economic reform — the policy reinforced perceptions that U.S. trade strategy can be disruptive to global economic stability.
Across the continent, leaders have cautioned against foreign policy approaches that emphasize punitive measures, unilateral economic barriers or politically framed interventions.
Many governments argue that sustainable peace and development depend on respect for sovereignty, inclusive dialogue, and partnerships grounded in mutual benefit — rather than transactional leverage.
This view echoes long-standing African priorities for self-reliance, respectful multilateral engagement and economic integration.
Rwandan officials have stressed that their nation’s security posture and growth strategy are driven by internal priorities, not external dictates.
Kagame has highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to peace, security and development — even as Kigali navigates a fraught and complex regional landscape.
As Africa positions itself within a multipolar global order, many African leaders are calling for constructive engagement that respects regional agency, promotes economic resilience, and strengthens cooperative frameworks, rather than policies perceived to weaponise diplomacy or economics at the expense of local priorities.
– CAJ News