A CAMPAIGN has been launched to prevent an African politician from coming to Oxford to receive an award from a student society.

Paul Kagame has been president of Rwanda since 2000 and while many have praised his leadership, others consider him a controversial figure. He has been invited to the city on Saturday, May 18 for the Oxford Business Network for Africa, held at the Said Business School.

He will be given the first Distinction of Honour for African Growth award in recognition of his country’s development.

Salvator Cusimano, 22, a postgraduate student at St Anthony’s College, objects.

He said: “It is possible that this will tarnish Oxford’s reputation, but more importantly awarding Mr Kagame this honour will legitimise him.”

Mr Cusimano has a petition signed by nearly 400 people.

Said school dean Peter Tufano said it was a “student-led event”, adding: “We prize open discussion and in line with the university's freedom of speech policy we have not sought to prevent the students from extending this invitation.”

He said the president’s presence did not imply any endorsement by the school or university of his views or actions.