Editor,

RE: Joseph Rwagatare’s opinion, ‘Rwandans want Kagame to stay. US wants him out. Who is the strong man here?’ (The New Times, Dec 8).

Sometimes I wonder why the Government and people of Rwanda have to go at length to explain their right to govern themselves the way they so wish! There is nothing like a Universal or Global Constitution that countries are obliged to follow or adhere to! Why respond to every comment referring to Rwanda’s democratic credentials? The very countries critiquing Rwanda today were alive and kicking in 1994 when Rwanda, as a nation and a people, was ethnically cleansed with the intention of wiping them off the earth...they kept silent and let the dogs spill blood left and right; later on to apologise for their inaction and claims to " never again...” what a shame! Now and today, they have time and audacity to shout democracy...democracy... over a constitutional amendment! President Paul Kagame can only be elected by Rwandans, no one else; the rest really is immaterial. My simple appeal to the Government of Rwanda and its people is to respond to such criticism as follows: Governments and peoples all over the world have a right to express their opinion on whatever discussion, including governance in Rwanda, and that’s where it stops. Your opinion is not binding to anybody within the territorial jurisdiction of Rwanda as a sovereign state.

Phillipa Uwamaria

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Well done Joseph, I think they should stop being bullies in matters that concern Rwandan lives. Rwandans know what is good for them because of the obvious reasons; President Paul Kagame was there for his country and people when those who are trying to bully Rwandans were in the corridors of Washington debating as Rwandans were perishing – until our hero stepped in and stopped the mess.

We, Rwandans, cannot dictate to the Americans what is good for them, so we expect them to also respect our sovereign decision as Rwandans. Foreigners who may not know the history of Rwanda should seek help from those who know.

Bottom line is, Rwandans know what is best for them.

Brown