This African Nation Refuses To Pick Sides In US-China Rift: 'We Can't Be Bullied, We Can't Be Forced'

In a recent statement, a high-ranking Rwandan official has articulated the nation’s position of neutrality in the face of growing U.S.-China rivalry. This declaration comes at a time when global powers are seeking to strengthen alliances and assert their influence on the international stage.

What Happened: James Kimonyo, Rwanda’s ambassador to China, emphasized that Rwanda will not be coerced into choosing sides amid the escalating tensions between the United States and China, South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

"The United States is our friend. In the same way, China is our friend," he said.

"We can't be bullied, we can't be forced.”

Kimonyo, who previously served as Rwanda’s envoy to the U.S., highlighted the importance of a “framework” to resolve disputes among major powers. He noted recent diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, which led to renewed military communication and discussions on various contentious issues.

The ambassador asserted Rwanda’s sovereignty in making its alliances and refrained from commenting on China’s human rights record, considering it an internal matter. He also defended China’s investments in Africa, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, against accusations of creating debt traps.

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During an event marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Kimonyo credited China with playing a crucial role in Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation and looked forward to further cooperation in technology and innovation. Wu Peng, the Chinese foreign ministry's director general of African affairs, echoed this sentiment, committing to deepen bilateral relations with Rwanda.

Why It Matters: As geopolitical dynamics shift, the stance of nations like Rwanda becomes increasingly significant. A recent survey revealed that Southeast Asian nations now favor China over the U.S. as their primary ally, indicating a change in regional alliances.

Conversely, trade data shows that the U.S. has recently overtaken China as Taiwan’s biggest export market for the first time in over two decades, highlighting the competitive nature of US-China relations in economic terms.

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