KIGALI (Reuters) – President Paul Kagame sought to reassure Rwandans yesterday that the country was safe, two weeks after a triple grenade attack shook the capital Kigali.

Authorities blame the deadly blasts on a former chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Kayumba Nyamwasa, who is reported to have fled to South Africa after questioning last week.

“They cannot … destabilise the solid foundation we have already built of security and stability for our citizens,” Kagame told reporters. “We have all it takes to prevent and act on any dangers to our country.”

The central African country’s chief prosecutor this week accused Kayumba of terrorism and threatening state security, and has begun proceedings to extradite the ex-army commander.

Kagame, a former rebel leader who fought alongside Kayumba to end the genocide in 1994, said the attacks were aimed at destroying Rwanda’s image as a stable and secure destination.