Editor,

Allow me to react to Dr Agnes Binagwaho’s article, "Why is Braeckman surprised? It’s always the same double standards!” (The New Times, July 1).

We are in for a long haul with racism from colonialists who have not come to terms with the fact that we are not the same Africans of yesteryears.

The solution to colour being equated to all things negative should be to fight for our own dignity by doing the right things even when these may not please the west.

Some of us have studied with them and taught them for that matter, only to discover that they are normal beings and not superior to Africans, only that there is a psychological war/narrative in the west to demean anything black which we should refuse. So this also applies to choices. We are not supposed to have choices except those they have made for us.

We support President Kagame not because of any fears, whatsoever; except the fears of what we know of abnormal Rwanda which he has made normal miraculously when everyone had written us off including these same colonialists.

Our choices are borne out of his exemplary leadership that has changed everything Rwanda and a leadership that is rare and unique by any standards. And so we shall not be intimidated at all with regard to our choices nor blackmailed on this.

Rights stop where obligations cease. Western rights ceased where their obligations ceased to redeem Rwanda in 1994 during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Whatever we do, we do it for ourselves with clear conscience that it is the right thing to do for ourselves. Changing our constitution is one of those choices we reserve absolute right.

M. Nshuti

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Often times when we read and hear the opinions of Colette Braeckman, and the likes, truly one wonders if such views genuinely come from people with best wish for humanity.

Why on the earth should journalists be happy to tell a story of tyres burning on road, people forced out of their homes, leaving all their belongings behind and every kind of devastation? When will they ever change such misconception about Africans? Why is it that a right choice is not fit to Africans? Why should a development partner blame Rwandans for making an appropriate choice that defines their destiny?

If we go by democracy and its definition, the choice of Rwandans conforms to all that is said about democracy.

This is people’s choice; it’s a choice of Rwandans by appreciating how far they have come, and how far they want to go.

We decided to say no to the wrongs of our past and yes to what is right. We Rwandans have to participate in shaping our own destiny.

Bob