President Paul Kagame addresses brewery closures and regional security

President Paul Kagame has addressed two major national and regional issues during recent press briefings.

Regarding public health and safety, Kagame defended the government's decision to shut down over 130 breweries and restrict certain beverage imports. He stated that the measures were necessary because substandard drinks were causing significant loss of life, noting that at certain points, as many as 100 people were dying per day due to these products. He emphasized that the priority must remain on human lives rather than the economic losses faced by manufacturers.

On the geopolitical front, Kagame reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to regional peace and security, specifically addressing the Washington Agreement signed between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He noted that the long-standing issue of the FDLR remains unresolved despite decades of international involvement. Kagame argued that security in eastern Congo cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the conflict, involving multiple regional actors and the international community.