President Paul Kagame has called on African heads of state and business leaders across the continent to assert their dignity, stand firm, and refuse external pressure from powerful countries when it undermines Africa’s interests.
He made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s Eleni Giokos on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum, which opened on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The high-level gathering brought together more than 2,800 participants, including heads of state and government, senior public officials, business leaders, and investors from across Africa to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation and advancing the continent’s development agenda.
President Kagame also addressed the issue of sanctions imposed on African countries by powerful foreign states, particularly in relation to ongoing regional security tensions involving Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said such sanctions are often not grounded in justice or objective assessment, but are instead influenced by the strategic interests of the countries imposing them.
“Sometimes sanctions are imposed on the side that brings less advantage, depending on the interests of those with more power or influence. Where interests lie often determines what is presented as truth, even when it is not necessarily the case,” he said.
Kagame stressed that Africa must take greater control of its own affairs and stop allowing external actors to define its priorities or dictate its decisions.
African leaders, he said, must develop the confidence to reject unfair pressure when necessary and protect the continent’s long-term interests.
He added that the ability to say “no” to unjust demands is more important than easily agreeing to decisions that may have negative consequences for Africa in the future.
