“Drink Hot Water, It Will Pass”: Nduhungirehe Tells Belgian MP over Cycling Championships
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has fired back at Belgian MP Lydia Mutyebele Ngoi after she criticized Rwanda’s hosting of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, likening the country to Russia in terms of alleged human rights violations.
Mutyebele, known for her frequent criticism of Kigali, wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account:
“We exclude Russia because of its crimes, but roll out the red carpet for Rwanda. This is pure hypocrisy. Sport should not be used as smoke to hide a regime that tramples on human rights.”
In a sharp response on the same platform, Minister Nduhungirehe dismissed the remarks and urged the MP to calm down.
“Madame the Deputy, you have greetings from your Belgian compatriots in Kigali. Your champion, Remco Evenepoel, has even won, for the third time in a row, the men's time trial! For the rest, drink a bit of hot water, and normally it will pass.” he wrote.
Madame la Députée, vous avez le bonjour de vos compatriotes belges à Kigali. Votre champion, Remco Evenepoel, a même remporté, pour la troisième fois consecutive, le contre-la-montre masculin!
Pour le reste, buvez un peu d'eau chaude, et normalement ça va passer. https://t.co/v9HcIapeW0 pic.twitter.com/4yp0IqL4Lv — Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) September 21, 2025
Mutyebele’s criticism came after Belgian journalist Stijn Vercruysse of public broadcaster VRT claimed he was denied accreditation to cover the championships in Kigali. He alleged Rwanda deliberately blocked his access to silence critical reporting.
Minister Nduhungirehe, however, defended the decision, arguing that Vercruysse did not meet the requirements set for sports journalists covering the event. He further said the journalist openly admitted that part of his mission was to produce negative stories about Rwanda.
