Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, responded to a Belgian Member of Parliament (MP) who criticized Rwanda for being granted the right to host the UCI Road World Championships. He told her that, above all, she should have been proud of her fellow Belgians who are performing well, adding humorously: “Just drink some hot water, everything will be fine.”
This came after MP Lydia Mutyebele Ngoi from Brussels posted on X, expressing her dissatisfaction with Rwanda hosting the international cycling competition that kicked off in Kigali on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Lydia Mutyebele Ngoi wrote: “Russia is banned because of its crimes, but Rwanda is being given the red carpet” [implying that since Russia was sanctioned, Rwanda too should have been barred from hosting such an event].
The MP went further to accuse those who gave Rwanda the opportunity of hypocrisy, claiming that Rwanda violates human rights.
Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe replied to the MP, showing that her remarks were inappropriate, and stressing that she should have first noticed how Belgians in Rwanda were happily enjoying the championship and cheering on their fellow countrymen including the fact that on the very first day, a Belgian cyclist won a gold medal.
He said: “Honorable Member of Parliament, please extend our best wishes to you from your fellow Belgians in Kigali. Your champion, Remco Evenepoel, even won the men’s time trial for the third consecutive time!”
Minister Nduhungirehe concluded his message with a touch of humor, gently rebuking the politician for her misplaced comments: “Just drink some hot tea, everything will be fine.”
His post was accompanied by photos showing Belgian fans in Rwanda waving their national flags while cheering for their cyclists, including Remco Evenepoel, who claimed the gold medal in the men’s elite individual time trial , his third consecutive win in this World Championship event.
Nduhungirehe also reminded the MP that this championship in Rwanda is being attended by athletes from 108 countries, including Belgium, with a total of 769 riders.
While the MP attempted to mix politics with sport, many Belgians in Kigali expressed joy and excitement at being in Rwanda, a safe and hospitable country where they were warmly welcomed.
Belgium, a country that played a major role in the propaganda that fueled Rwanda’s tragic past, has continued to treat Rwanda poorly despite being its former colonizer. In recent years, Belgium has gone further by promoting false claims invented by the Democratic Republic of Congo and lobbying for international sanctions against Rwanda.
As a result, in March this year, the Government of Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered its diplomats to leave Rwanda
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