The Netherlands has officially refused to accredit Alfred Gasana, former Minister of Interior and Director General of Internal Security at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), as Rwanda’s ambassador. This decision, made after six months of deliberations following his appointment in June 2024, reflects significant concerns about Gasana’s controversial past, including his role in crackdowns and extrajudicial executions, as well as potential threats he posed to critics of Kagame’s regime in Europe.

Gasana’s designation had raised alarm within the Rwandan diaspora residing in the Netherlands and neighboring countries. Credible allegations surfaced, claiming that one of his missions was to target and assassinate Samuel Baker Byansi, an exiled journalist known for his involvement in the Rwanda Classified investigation project. This project exposed repressive practices and human rights abuses by Kagame’s regime. The rejection of Gasana is seen as an important step toward protecting Rwandan exiles and safeguarding freedom of expression against Kigali’s continued efforts to silence its critics abroad.

In response, Kigali appointed Lambert Dushimimana, former governor of Rwanda’s Western Province, as the new candidate for the ambassadorial role in the Netherlands. Although this appointment is recent, concerns remain about whether Dushimimana and his team might continue the intimidation and targeted assassination practices attributed to Kagame’s regime. Observers are calling for constant vigilance to ensure the safety of activists, journalists, and opponents living in Europe.