Rwandan President Paul Kagame made a public appearance on Tuesday, dispelling widespread speculation about his health after a long period out of the public eye.
Kagame, 67, met with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Kigali, according to photos shared by the presidency. The meeting follows weeks of online speculation and rumours that the president was seriously ill, a claim his office has strongly denied.
The Rwandan leader has not been seen in public since June 6, raising concerns given his usually visible and active involvement in national and international affairs. His sudden silence has led to a series of unconfirmed reports, including one by a Canadian-based opposition figure claiming that Kagame was receiving treatment in Germany for brain damage, a claim that a German diplomatic source said they could not confirm.
Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo denied the rumours, telling local media outlet Taarifa that there was “nothing to worry or be concerned about”. A family member quoted by the same outlet added: “He is a human being and he is taking time to rest like everyone else. There is nothing unusual or alarming.”
Rwanda’s military has also weighed in, debunking a fabricated statement circulating on social media claiming the president had a serious health problem. The military described the post as fake in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The meeting on Tuesday with Obasanjo, who is involved in mediation efforts in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marks Kagame’s return to the limelight. Rwanda has come under international scrutiny over allegations that he supports rebel groups in eastern Congo, allegations he denies.
Kagame, who was re-elected to a fourth term last year with more than 99% of the vote, remains a deeply polarised figure. While his supporters see him as the architect of Rwanda’s rapid development and stability, his critics accuse him of authoritarianism and suppressing dissent.