Mel B gets ready for Christmas with Rwandan president accused of war crimes

 
Plans: Mel B said she was looking forward to her Christmas trip with the Rwandan president and his family
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown has revealed she will be spending the festive season with controversial Rwandan president Paul Kagame, who stands accused of aiding genocide.

The singer, who recently saw her first single in eight years fail to make the UK top 40, has been invited to spend Christmas with the African leader and his family after forming a close friendship with his grown-up children.

Kagame faces allegations his government armed Congo rebel group M23, resulting in 140,000 people being forced to flee their homes.

A leaked UN report claimed he backed two insurgencies in the country, resulting in killings, rapes and other atrocities. Officials have since said he could face prosecution.

He denies the allegations.

Accused: Paul Kagame (pictured centre) faces allegations he sanctioned atrocities in the Congo (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

Brown, known as Scary Spice, told the Daily Mirror Kagame's children were "adorable people" and flying to Rwanda for a yuletide African safari was "a no brainer".

She said: “Christmas is different every year. Last year we were in Australia and it was lovely but this year we’ve decided to go to Rwanda. We’ve got this amazing trip planned and we’re staying with the ­president, Paul Kagame.

“I know his son and daughter because they live in New York and they’re adorable people. They invited us out there.

“We will probably have our own Christmas in LA with ­stockings, presents and a big roast dinner, then we shall go off to spend time with the president.

“I said to the kids do you want to go to Africa and see lions, tigers and bears, or stay at home and watch TV all day? It was a no brainer.”

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