RWANDA: President Kagame Defends Alcohol Ban as Rwanda Suspends 52 Imported Brands
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has defended new restrictions on alcohol, saying the country cannot “sit and watch” as harmful drinks “kill” people.
Rwanda recently suspended 52 imported alcoholic products, including brands from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, citing public health concerns.
The move has sparked a regional trade dispute. Kenya and Uganda argue that some of the affected products meet East African Community safety standards and have questioned Rwanda’s justification for blocking them.
The big question now: should a country be allowed to ban products approved as safe elsewhere in the region if it believes, on its own, that they pose a risk?