Rwanda: Image of Rwanda's President Kagame Kneeling Before Tanzanian Counterpart Hassan Is Manipulated

What the report says

Africa Check, republished by AllAfrica, said a Facebook image purporting to show Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame kneeling before Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is manipulated. The fact-check focused on a picture that appears to show Kagame on one knee with clasped hands, with text reading “Forgive me,” while Hassan stands nearby. The image circulated online at a time of heightened regional attention on tensions linked to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Rwanda has been accused by UN experts of backing the M23 rebel group; Kigali denies that accusation, and Tanzania has been involved in peace efforts.

According to the report, visual clues point to digital alteration, including blurred background figures and some distorted body shapes and posture. Africa Check said it found no credible news coverage, official images or verified video showing such an incident, noting that an act like this between heads of state would likely have drawn wide attention.

The outlet traced the image back to Kagame’s state visit to Tanzania in April 2023. Official photographs from that trip show the two leaders in similar clothing and in formal bilateral meetings in Dar es Salaam, followed by a press briefing and state dinner, but they do not show Kagame kneeling. Africa Check concluded that the circulating picture is not an authentic record of that visit.