This brief examines how Rwanda’s diaspora in Europe has become a site of political influence and information suppression. It highlights how pro-regime diaspora actors promote favourable narratives about the Rwandan government, lobby policymakers, and shape public debates, while critics face harassment, intimidation, and social exclusion. These dynamics transform diaspora politics into a channel for foreign information manipulation and repression within European societies.

The brief emphasises that these practices have implications for EU policy, particularly regarding foreign interference, democratic resilience, and the protection of civic space. It calls for stronger monitoring of diaspora-related influence activities, greater awareness among policymakers of how diaspora networks may shape narratives, and increased support for independent diaspora media and civic organisations to ensure a more balanced and resilient information environment.