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Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Vance Boelter? Man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker and her husband had a list of 70 targets
Vance Boelter , 57, was arrested Sunday after a two-day manhunt for allegedly killing Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman , a top Democratic state lawmaker, and her husband, Mark. Authorities say Boelter posed as a police officer before carrying out the Saturday morning attack, which Governor Tim Walz called a 'politically motivated assassination.' He is also accused of shooting and wounding another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman , and his wife, Yvette, at their home nearby. Law enforcement tracked Boelter to Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, where his vehicle and belongings were found abandoned on a remote road. He was taken into custody without incident. A notebook recovered from the suspect reportedly contained a hit list of more than 70 names, including Democratic lawmakers, doctors, community leaders, and Planned Parenthood locations. Authorities also said Boelter wore a ballistic vest, gloves, and a mask during the attacks. Earlier, police found an SUV resembling a police vehicle parked outside Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park. It had flashing lights and contained a list of potential political targets. Public records and online postings reviewed by Reuters show Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and claimed security experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa. Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, according to a Hennepin County criminal complaint. Three of the charges carry prison terms of up to 40 years. Live Events Authorities said Boelter fled on foot after an exchange of gunfire with police at the Hortman residence, prompting Minnesota's largest manhunt in recent memory. Police later discovered three AK-47 rifles, a 9mm handgun, and a detailed list of public officials with their addresses in his SUV. Who Is Vance Boelter? Boelter is a Minnesota resident with a checkered professional and personal history. A father of five, he spent much of his career in the food industry before switching to funeral services and missionary work in central Africa. Most recently, he worked with funeral homes in Minneapolis and took online courses in mortuary science. He served on the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Board, appointed by Democratic governors in 2016 and again in 2020. Though he and Sen. Hoffman served on the board at the same time, officials say there's no evidence they had a direct relationship. Boelter also claimed to be the CEO of a Congo-based nonprofit, Red Lion Group, and delivered sermons that expressed Christian fundamentalist and anti-LGBTQ views. He and his wife operated a private security company called Praetorian Guard Security Services. Political Views and Personal Struggles Although listed as unaffiliated in public records, Boelter's roommate said he voted for Donald Trump and held strong anti-abortion beliefs. Friends noted that he had been struggling with financial and mental health issues in recent years. A text message Boelter sent Saturday morning hinted at suicidal intent: 'I might be dead shortly... I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused.' What's Next With Boelter in custody, investigators are working to uncover more about his motivations and any links to political extremism. The attack has renewed concerns about the safety of public officials. Senator Tina Smith said her name was among those listed in Boelter's notebook, alongside other lawmakers, medical professionals, and institutions. Authorities continue to assess the scope of the threat. With NYT, Reuter's Inputs Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US wants Rwandan troops out of Congo before peace deal signed, sources say
By Sonia Rolley and David Lewis (Reuters) -The United States is promoting a deal that would require Rwanda to pull troops from eastern Congo before the two sides sign a peace agreement, sources say, a condition that is sure to rankle Kigali, which describes Congo-based armed groups as an existential threat. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is holding talks to end fighting in eastern Congo and bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters in May that Washington wanted a peace agreement finalised "within about two months", an ambitious timeline for resolving a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. A draft peace agreement seen by Reuters says a condition for signature is that Rwanda withdraws troops, weapons and equipment from Congo. The authenticity of the document, which is undated, was confirmed by four diplomatic sources, who said it was written by U.S. officials. The draft goes beyond a declaration of principles that the two countries' foreign ministers signed at a ceremony in Washington in April with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That document said the two sides would address any security concerns in a manner that respected each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. LIGHTNING ADVANCE Rwanda has sent between 7,000 and 12,000 soldiers to eastern Congo to support M23 rebels, analysts and diplomats told Reuters earlier this year, after the rebel group seized the region's two largest cities in a lightning advance. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 genocide that killed around 1 million people, mostly ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda had not responded to the U.S.-produced draft agreement as of last week, two sources told Reuters. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Reuters that experts from Congo and Rwanda would meet this week in Washington to discuss the agreement. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A senior official in the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of "dragging their feet" on the draft and said Rwanda's withdrawal was necessary for the peace process to move forward. "We demand the total withdrawal of Rwandan troops as a precondition for signing the agreement, and we will not compromise," the source said. QATAR-HOSTED TALKS The U.S.-produced draft agreement also calls for a "Joint Security Coordination Mechanism" that could include Rwandan and "foreign military observer personnel" to deal with security issues, including the continued presence in Congo of Rwandan Hutu militias. Analysts say the most commonly cited group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, no longer poses much of a threat to Rwanda, though President Paul Kagame's government still describes it as a serious threat. The draft agreement also says Congo would commit to allowing M23 to participate in a national dialogue "on equal footing with other DRC non-state armed groups" - a major concession for Kinshasa, which sees M23 as a terrorist group and Rwandan proxy. Congo is engaged in separate direct talks with M23 over a possible deal to end the latest cycle of fighting. The draft agreement says Rwanda "shall take all possible measures to ensure" M23 withdraws from territory it controls, in line with terms agreed in Doha. A source briefed on that process told Reuters last week that Qatar had presented a draft proposal to both delegations which would consult their leaders before resuming talks. A rebel official, though, said there had been little progress towards a final deal that would see M23 cede territory. (Writing by Sonia Rolley; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Alex Richardson)
The Star
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
US wants Rwandan troops out of Congo before peace deal signed, sources say
FILE PHOTO: A labourer carries a sack of ore at the Rubaya coltan mine, in the town of Rubaya, which is controlled by M23 rebels, in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo (Reuters) -The United States is promoting a deal that would require Rwanda to pull troops from eastern Congo before the two sides sign a peace agreement, sources say, a condition that is sure to rankle Kigali, which describes Congo-based armed groups as an existential threat. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is holding talks to end fighting in eastern Congo and bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters in May that Washington wanted a peace agreement finalised "within about two months", an ambitious timeline for resolving a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. A draft peace agreement seen by Reuters says a condition for signature is that Rwanda withdraws troops, weapons and equipment from Congo. The authenticity of the document, which is undated, was confirmed by four diplomatic sources, who said it was written by U.S. officials. The draft goes beyond a declaration of principles that the two countries' foreign ministers signed at a ceremony in Washington in April with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That document said the two sides would address any security concerns in a manner that respected each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. LIGHTNING ADVANCE Rwanda has sent between 7,000 and 12,000 soldiers to eastern Congo to support M23 rebels, analysts and diplomats told Reuters earlier this year, after the rebel group seized the region's two largest cities in a lightning advance. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 genocide that killed around 1 million people, mostly ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda had not responded to the U.S.-produced draft agreement as of last week, two sources told Reuters. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Reuters that experts from Congo and Rwanda would meet this week in Washington to discuss the agreement. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A senior official in the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of "dragging their feet" on the draft and said Rwanda's withdrawal was necessary for the peace process to move forward. "We demand the total withdrawal of Rwandan troops as a precondition for signing the agreement, and we will not compromise," the source said. QATAR-HOSTED TALKS The U.S.-produced draft agreement also calls for a "Joint Security Coordination Mechanism" that could include Rwandan and "foreign military observer personnel" to deal with security issues, including the continued presence in Congo of Rwandan Hutu militias. Analysts say the most commonly cited group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, no longer poses much of a threat to Rwanda, though President Paul Kagame's government still describes it as a serious threat. The draft agreement also says Congo would commit to allowing M23 to participate in a national dialogue "on equal footing with other DRC non-state armed groups" - a major concession for Kinshasa, which sees M23 as a terrorist group and Rwandan proxy. Congo is engaged in separate direct talks with M23 over a possible deal to end the latest cycle of fighting. The draft agreement says Rwanda "shall take all possible measures to ensure" M23 withdraws from territory it controls, in line with terms agreed in Doha. A source briefed on that process told Reuters last week that Qatar had presented a draft proposal to both delegations which would consult their leaders before resuming talks. A rebel official, though, said there had been little progress towards a final deal that would see M23 cede territory. (Writing by Sonia Rolley; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Alex Richardson)
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US wants Rwandan troops out of Congo before peace deal signed, sources say
FILE PHOTO: Congolese civilians who fled from Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), wash their feet after arriving at a reception centre in Rugerero near Gisenyi, in Rubavu district, Rwanda, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump's Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos addresses a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana/File Photo FILE PHOTO: A labourer carries a sack of ore at the Rubaya coltan mine, in the town of Rubaya, which is controlled by M23 rebels, in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo US wants Rwandan troops out of Congo before peace deal signed, sources say The United States is promoting a deal that would require Rwanda to pull troops from eastern Congo before the two sides sign a peace agreement, sources say, a condition that is sure to rankle Kigali, which describes Congo-based armed groups as an existential threat. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is holding talks to end fighting in eastern Congo and bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters in May that Washington wanted a peace agreement finalised "within about two months", an ambitious timeline for resolving a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. A draft peace agreement seen by Reuters says a condition for signature is that Rwanda withdraws troops, weapons and equipment from Congo. The authenticity of the document, which is undated, was confirmed by four diplomatic sources, who said it was written by U.S. officials. The draft goes beyond a declaration of principles that the two countries' foreign ministers signed at a ceremony in Washington in April with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That document said the two sides would address any security concerns in a manner that respected each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. LIGHTNING ADVANCE Rwanda has sent between 7,000 and 12,000 soldiers to eastern Congo to support M23 rebels, analysts and diplomats told Reuters earlier this year, after the rebel group seized the region's two largest cities in a lightning advance. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 genocide that killed around 1 million people, mostly ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda had not responded to the U.S.-produced draft agreement as of last week, two sources told Reuters. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Reuters that experts from Congo and Rwanda would meet this week in Washington to discuss the agreement. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A senior official in the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of "dragging their feet" on the draft and said Rwanda's withdrawal was necessary for the peace process to move forward. "We demand the total withdrawal of Rwandan troops as a precondition for signing the agreement, and we will not compromise," the source said. QATAR-HOSTED TALKS The U.S.-produced draft agreement also calls for a "Joint Security Coordination Mechanism" that could include Rwandan and "foreign military observer personnel" to deal with security issues, including the continued presence in Congo of Rwandan Hutu militias. Analysts say the most commonly cited group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, no longer poses much of a threat to Rwanda, though President Paul Kagame's government still describes it as a serious threat. The draft agreement also says Congo would commit to allowing M23 to participate in a national dialogue "on equal footing with other DRC non-state armed groups" - a major concession for Kinshasa, which sees M23 as a terrorist group and Rwandan proxy. Congo is engaged in separate direct talks with M23 over a possible deal to end the latest cycle of fighting. The draft agreement says Rwanda "shall take all possible measures to ensure" M23 withdraws from territory it controls, in line with terms agreed in Doha. A source briefed on that process told Reuters last week that Qatar had presented a draft proposal to both delegations which would consult their leaders before resuming talks. A rebel official, though, said there had been little progress towards a final deal that would see M23 cede territory. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US wants Rwandan troops out of Congo before peace deal signed, sources say
* U.S. brokering talks between Congo and Rwanda * Deal would facilitate billions of dollars in Western investment * Conflict in eastern Congo has roots in 1994 Rwandan genocide * Rwanda denies backing M23 rebels and says it is acting in self-defence * Qatar also hosting talks between Congo and M23 June 10 - The United States is promoting a deal that would require Rwanda to pull troops from eastern Congo before the two sides sign a peace agreement, sources say, a condition that is sure to rankle Kigali, which describes Congo-based armed groups as an existential threat. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is holding talks to end fighting in eastern Congo and bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters in May that Washington wanted a peace agreement finalised "within about two months", an ambitious timeline for resolving a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. A draft peace agreement seen by Reuters says a condition for signature is that Rwanda withdraws troops, weapons and equipment from Congo. The authenticity of the document, which is undated, was confirmed by four diplomatic sources, who said it was written by U.S. officials. The draft goes beyond a declaration of principles that the two countries' foreign ministers signed at a ceremony in Washington in April with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That document said the two sides would address any security concerns in a manner that respected each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. LIGHTNING ADVANCE Rwanda has sent between 7,000 and 12,000 soldiers to eastern Congo to support M23 rebels, analysts and diplomats told Reuters earlier this year, after the rebel group seized the region's two largest cities in a lightning advance. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 genocide that killed around 1 million people, mostly ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda had not responded to the U.S.-produced draft agreement as of last week, two sources told Reuters. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Reuters that experts from Congo and Rwanda would meet this week in Washington to discuss the agreement. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A senior official in the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of "dragging their feet" on the draft and said Rwanda's withdrawal was necessary for the peace process to move forward. "We demand the total withdrawal of Rwandan troops as a precondition for signing the agreement, and we will not compromise," the source said. QATAR-HOSTED TALKS The U.S.-produced draft agreement also calls for a "Joint Security Coordination Mechanism" that could include Rwandan and "foreign military observer personnel" to deal with security issues, including the continued presence in Congo of Rwandan Hutu militias. Analysts say the most commonly cited group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, no longer poses much of a threat to Rwanda, though President Paul Kagame's government still describes it as a serious threat. The draft agreement also says Congo would commit to allowing M23 to participate in a national dialogue "on equal footing with other DRC non-state armed groups" - a major concession for Kinshasa, which sees M23 as a terrorist group and Rwandan proxy. Congo is engaged in separate direct talks with M23 over a possible deal to end the latest cycle of fighting. The draft agreement says Rwanda "shall take all possible measures to ensure" M23 withdraws from territory it controls, in line with terms agreed in Doha. A source briefed on that process told Reuters last week that Qatar had presented a draft proposal to both delegations which would consult their leaders before resuming talks. A rebel official, though, said there had been little progress towards a final deal that would see M23 cede territory.
