Kagame sends condolences to French terror victims

Kagame in a recent meeting with a Belgian delegation in Kigali

 Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of Wednesday terrorist attack in France’s capital, Paris.

“We express our own and our country’s condolences to the Nation and families of those who lost their lives in Paris on Wednesday,” Kagame said at a luncheon to celebrate the New Year 2015 with the diplomatic community in Rwanda.

Twelve people were shot dead and 11 injured when terrorists attacked the Charlie Hebdo, a French weekly satirical magazine known for provocative satire on Islam as well as other religions and political leaders.

Meanwhile on Thursday, a policewoman was also shot dead in Paris; an incident French police connects to the earlier attack.

Kagame told the diplomats that terrorists represent only themselves, and called for international efforts to fight them.

“To defeat terrorists, we must work to shatter the illusion that they speak for a larger group or community,” Kagame said.

“Diplomacy and international cooperation are essential to develop the trust and consensus necessary to tackle them together.”

French media reported that two of the alleged attackers, who are also brothers, have been identified as 32-year-old Said Kouachi and 34-year-old Cherif Kouachi.

Police say they are French-born sons of Algerian-decent parents.

France and Rwanda have recently had sour relations, following President Kagame’s comments on France’s refusal to recognize the role it played in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

But Kagame said, “Our efforts must stem from recognition of our common humanity and values, which are shared equally across the world.”

Rwanda is known for a firm stand against terrorism and violence, sending over 4500 peacekeeping troops in conflict zones.

Source: KT Press