Paul Kagame’s 1991 meeting with Mobutu Sese Seko marked a pivotal moment in African history his refusal to abandon the RPF’s mission underscored a commitment to liberation over personal gain.
The March 1991 meeting between Major Paul Kagame, then coordinator of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), and President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (now DR Congo), took place in N’sele Municipality, Kinshasa. At the time, Kagame was leading the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in a struggle against the regime of President Juvénal Habyarimana, seeking to end decades of exile and oppression for Rwandan Tutsi refugees.
Mobutu, known for his authoritarian rule and lavish lifestyle, reportedly offered Kagame any amount of money to halt the RPF’s advance and return to refugee camps. This was a strategic move to preserve regional stability and protect Habyarimana’s regime. But Kagame’s response was resolute: he declined the offer, prioritizing freedom and justice over wealth. According to accounts, he left the meeting with dignity, stating, “No amount of money will ever buy freedom.”
This act of defiance was unprecedented Mobutu was rarely challenged so directly. Kagame’s stance revealed not only his personal integrity but also the RPF’s unwavering commitment to liberating Rwanda. The RPF continued its campaign, and in 1994, after the genocide against the Tutsi orchestrated by Habyarimana’s government, the RPF intervened to stop the mass killings and ultimately took control of the country.
Meanwhile, Mobutu’s own regime collapsed in 1997 during the First Congo War, largely due to internal corruption and external pressure. Kagame later acknowledged Rwanda’s role in supporting the rebellion that led to Mobutu’s downfall, emphasizing the need to confront truth and reshape regional dynamics.
This moment in N’sele stands as a testament to principled leadership, the cost of freedom, and the power of saying “no” in the face of temptation. Kagame’s decision helped shape Rwanda’s future.
