The United States has confirmed that a letter circulating on social media, purportedly sent by President Donald Trump to Rwandan President Paul Kagame regarding Rwanda’s removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), is fake.
The US Embassy in Kigali issued the clarification on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The document, dated October 28, appeared to have come from the White House in Washington and was addressed to President Kagame.
“This letter is fake,” the embassy stated on X, referring to the document concerning Rwanda’s removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The letter claimed that Trump had informed Kagame of a decision to remove Rwanda from AGOA beginning January 1, 2027.
It also contained accusations concerning human rights, governance and Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Among the allegations were claims that Rwanda was providing military support to the M23 rebel group.
The document also called for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory.
Although the letter was not genuine, the US government had separately announced plans to remove Rwanda from AGOA.
In an official statement issued on November 2, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative confirmed that Trump had notified Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intention to end their eligibility for the trade programme from January 1, 2027.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the decision followed a review of whether the countries continued to meet AGOA requirements.
He said Washington had identified concerns involving trade and investment barriers, the rule of law, political pluralism, workers’ rights, human rights and US national security interests.
Unlike the circulating letter, the official US announcement did not specifically accuse Rwanda of supporting M23.
Rwanda has repeatedly rejected allegations of supporting the armed group and maintains that lasting peace in eastern DR Congo requires both countries to fulfil their commitments under the Washington peace agreement.
Rwanda has also insisted that the removal of its defensive measures must go together with action against the FDLR, an armed group it considers a threat to national security.
AGOA was introduced by the United States in 2000 to help eligible African countries sell qualifying goods in the American market without paying certain import taxes.
The US Embassy has directed the public to the official trade announcement rather than the circulating letter for accurate information about Washington’s decision.
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