The line, quoted in Rwandan media, illustrated two notable characteristics of then-defence minister Kabarebe: his unvarnished talk and unswerving loyalty to President Paul Kagame. Kabarebe's comment ...

"For you, it's just something you talk about... while you're playing football or tennis, or golf," Kagame told a room full of diplomats last month. "It's life and death to me and my people." ...