Paul Rusesabagina has boarded a plane in Qatar bound for Houston in the United States. The man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda was released from prison in Rwanda last week. He is a vocal critic of President Paul Kagame and was lured to Kigali in 2019 and got arrested.
Rusesabagina has been released after Kagame commuted his sentence after months of negotiations between Washington and Kigali. Rwanda says it has decided to release Rusesabagina as they seek to reset the US-Rwanda relationship,
He was showered with love around the world after being played by actor Don Cheadle in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda. It potrayed him as a hero who risked his life to shelter hundreds of people as a manager of a luxury hotel during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
During his trial Rusesabagina acknowledged having a leadership role in an opposition group but denied responsibility for attacks carried out in Rwanda.
Source: SABC
In other news – Trevor Noah to host new SA TV show
Trevor Noah will host Prime Video’s first South African Original series, LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa. The comedian ended his hosting duty on The Daily Show in 2022 after 7 years and he’s kicked off touring the world; he is back home as the host of a new TV show in SA.
According to News24, Noah will pit ten famous local comedians against one another to see who can keep a straight face while simultaneously trying to make their opponents laugh – and lose. Learn more
