The man who inspired the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda returned to the US on Wednesday after being freed from prison, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Twitter. 

''I'm pleased to welcome Paul Rusesabagina back to the United States. We're glad to have him back on US soil and reunited with his family and friends who've long waited for this day to come,'' Sullivan said.

''I'm grateful to those we worked closely with in the Rwandan Government to make this possible.''

Rusesabagina, 68, was released last week by Rwanda after months of negotiations.

He was convicted on multiple charges in September 2021 including terrorism and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in a trial he boycotted for its lack of ''fairness'' and ''independence'” of the judiciary.

Rusesabagina inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," in which as a hotelier, he is depicted as having sheltered refugees during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

The 2004 film told the story of how Rusesabagina used his influence as manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali to bribe and convince military officials to secure a safe escape for 1,200 people who had sought refuge in the hotel. - Betül Yürük, Anadolu Agency

The African Union is calling for calm and restraint in Kenya following deadly protests by the opposition groups that saw deaths and rival gangs loot and destroy property.

AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “deep concern” at violence that led to deaths and what he called interruption of certain economic activities in Nairobi and other cities in the country where supporters of opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition led by their leader Raila Odinga were protesting.

“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation,” Faki said.

“In this regard, the Chairperson wishes to recall the successful conduct of General Elections in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court.”

Mr Odinga’s supporters poured into the streets for the second week, protesting against the high cost of living and what they say is inherent opaqueness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which Mr Odinga accuses of rigging him out of last year’s presidential poll in favour of eventual winner William Ruto. Dr Ruto’s victory was, however, confirmed by the Supreme Court in September after describing Odinga’s evidence as “hot air”.

But Odinga has argued new evidence proved he had been rigged out and demanded action by the Commission to open up their servers.

Total support

The AU boss called for dialogue but also expressed total support for the Kenyan government. The AU observers had endorsed the election outcome last year.

“In this regard, the Chairperson wishes to recall the successful conduct of General Elections in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court.”

The protests turned deadly after two people were shot dead in Kisumu while goons attacked the property of Mr Odinga and his ally, former president Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenyatta’s farm was torched as goons looted his livestock and cut down trees. - AGGREY MUTAMBO, The EastAfrican