On Monday, March 27, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable discussion with His Excellency Paul Kagame, president of the Republic of Rwanda.

Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham  welcomed participants and former National Security Advisor General James L. Jones, Jr., USMC (ret.), chairman of the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, introduced the president.

In his opening remarks, Kagame said that African aspirations were “rising,” noting specifically improvements in governance, economic reform, and improved well-being across the continent, all of which are increasingly demanded by African citizens. He pointed to the peaceful resolution of the political crisis in the Gambia as an example of what African-led regional organizations can do, and he expressed hope that, increasingly, mutual partnerships between African countries and the West will replace one-way development initiatives.

The Rwandan delegation also included H.E. Louise Mushikiwabo, minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, and H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, ambassador from Rwanda to the United States. Also in attendance and participating in the roundtable was Ambassador Reuben Brigety, former US ambassador to the African Union; Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs; GEN Carter Ham, USA (ret.), former commander of US Africa Command; and the Honorable Stephanie Sullivan, acting principal deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

Image: His Excellency Paul Kagame speaks at the Atlantic Council on Monday, March 27. Photo by Brad Howard.