President Paul Kagame has expressed optimism about Rwandans finding a capable successor among themselves who will be able to lead the country probably better than he did.
ALSO READ: Kagame speaks out on Rwanda after him
He said this while addressing local and international journalists on July 13, following the final campaign rally at Gahanga site where close to 500,000 RPF-Inkotanyi supporters gathered.
The RPF Chairman and flagbearer in the presidential elections slated for July 14 to 16, began his campaign trail on June 22 in Musanze District and has continuously attracted crowds of supporters across different venues.
Throughout the campaign trail, his message was mainly about the continuation of the development journey, sustained security, highlighting Rwanda’s uniqueness which derives from the history and lesson of self-reliance, as well as the need for the youth to take on the baton of building the country.
ALSO READ: Transformational politics should not be taken for granted, says Kagame
During the press conference, Kagame was asked about Rwanda potentially having the next leader after him and the possibility of him grooming his own successor –an idea he quickly dismissed.
"I can really answer for what we are doing as Rwandans when am here as their leader. What happens when I am gone will happen, I don’t know what it is. But I imagine among these Rwandans, there are people who can lead this country even better than I can or have done.”
He noted that across the world, leaders come and go, and different things happen owing to the leader in place or the politics around that supports that leader and things keep changing. Rwanda is not any different, he said.
The incumbent President said that he cannot groom a successor selectively but generally addresses the youth to understand the tasks at hand and take responsibility, and in the end, someone among them will become the next leader.
"I told my party [RPF] that I would not anoint anyone. They have to find someone among many people,” he said, adding that it is upon Rwandans to find their own leader and that that person will be found sooner than later.
The future to tell
Kagame noted that he could not predict what Rwanda would be like after his leadership, emphasizing that he can only answer to what happens under his term in office.
"I don’t think there is Kagame only. There is Kagame and those people you see, we make progress together, Rwandans contribute a lot. I only provide leadership as by their choice and I am sure when I will not be there, there will be another choice that can lead them better, without ruling out the fact that yes, things may not be as good as they have been but that is life.”
He recalled that it was not his choice to become president in the first place but the people requested and pressed him to assume office.
"I survived many things that would have killed me, like many other people. It wasn’t by plan...even at the beginning of the process, I did not want to be president; those in charge were obliged to select someone else.
"After that other person messed up, they removed him and came back to me and requested me to become president and I said okay,” he said, pointing out that ever since, people keep asking him when he thinks he should quit.
"Ever since I accepted, it’s like I committed a crime; some people ask me when I am leaving, but the Rwandans that have elected me here still want me.”
Kagame noted that foreigners should leave this issue of the next president to Rwandans and focus on their own problems in their countries.