A few weeks from today, RPF Inkotanyi will be celebrating its silver jubilee in a ceremony expected to be characterized with pomp, colour and draw who is who in Africa’s liberation struggles.Formed in 1987 by a group of stateless Rwandans, most pundits agree that RPF has metamorphosed into a political powerhouse with a brand that arguably attracts immense scrutiny from political scientists, academics, researchers and politicians themselves. It transitioned from a desperate dream to a liberation movement and on to a political organization whose modus operandi continuous to be subject of interest to many circles.On the African bloc, RPF’s ideology and methodology of work has been linked to some of Africa’s post-colonial liberation movements like those of Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania that remain till today.Yet a deeper analysis of how RPF runs its business, especially that of governance, puts it in a category of its own.At 25 years, many will agree that RPF is clearly young.  But the trials and tribulations that this political organization has experienced has given it a thick skin to forge a future for this country, sometime irrespective of what conventional theorists teach us.Which brings me to the question for today; what has been RPF’s biggest strength?To be honest, there are many issues that can be raised here. And for today, we will ignore the weaknesses, not because they do not exist, but because its positive attributes simply overshadow any existing loopholes. I will use only two illustrations.First is related to what I earlier mentioned. RPF has been good at defying what conventional theorists teach us about post-conflict reconstruction and recovery. It has largely designed its own template putting into context the reality on the ground and sometimes drawing from what already exists.Therefore, it has used some ‘unconventional’ means, not tested anywhere before to achieve what Rwanda enjoys today. For example, if political scientists say certain governance issues must be addressed using a particular universal template, RPF has not necessarily followed that prescription.It has instead dug into Rwanda’s context and culture, came up with some solutions and occasionally amalgamated it with what existing literature to provide solutions for some of the most pressing challenges.This is why even if classical political science teaches us that in any democratic setting, there must be the ruling side and the opposition side with differing and competing agendas, RPF thought it prudent that making noise at each other, say in parliament, is not necessarily what will drive this country forward.It came up with the consensual and inclusiveness approach, where every political organization is given a platform to contribute ideas that serve the common good of Rwanda.These ‘unconventional’ methods have been used in almost all spheres of Rwanda’s life including the military, justice, socio-economy and foreign relations.The other component that largely defines RPF’s strength is the way discipline is enforced among its members.Unlike in some political organizations where you find errant members including legislators and cabinet ministers protesting their official party line, we hardily see this within the RPF.Of course some critics have rubbished this as a sign of intolerance and stifling freedoms. But this accusation is farfetched and contrary to what is actually practiced in the very countries that we look to as models of democracy.What do I mean here?It is unheard or very rare to see a Democrat or Republican Congress member rebuking his/ her official party line in public.  It’s an abomination to see a Conservative or Labor Party member openly going against the official position of their political organizations even if that party position was very unpopular.Yet when it comes to Africa, the opposite is fine. It’s fine for politicians to be stubborn and ignore their code or rules because when you raise a red flag that is equated to oppression.Therefore, the mere fact that RPF has maintained a tough hand when it comes to issues of indiscipline and yet kept internal cohesion is a credit that largely explains why it has been able to deliver.Going forward, this organization’s challenge will be how to maintain these values especially in an increasingly volatile environment of critics and surrounding neighborhood of hardily any political organization with a similar strict code.As it marks its 25 years, these should be some of the deep reflections to make.On twitter @aasiimwe