Why Kagame enjoys the full trust of Rwandans

President Paul Kagame has won the last two presidential elections with over 90% of the votes. The size of victory has always caused much disbelief among outsiders (never among Rwandans). They claim such a result is unrealistic, the vote was probably rigged, voters were coerced or there was simply no other choice. These outsiders would rather he had a mandate of only a third of the voters who actually cast their votes as has happened in another African country. For some strange reason that is more democratic and acceptable despite not being very representative. Rwandans, of course, know why they give their president such an overwhelming endorsement. They have been saying it in different independent national and international surveys. The latest such survey has given him an even higher approval than the size of his election win. According to the findings of a study carried out by the Institute for Policy Analysis in Rwanda, President Kagame enjoys the trust of 99% of Rwandans. Now, this is a staggering level of trust by any standards. The usual critics will likely say this is another incredible result. But can anyone really question it? Can they say in good conscience that the result of the study was rigged or that respondents were coerced to give a favourable opinion? It is difficult when they know why the president has so much trust. Everyone says they have confidence in Kagame because he delivers. He discharges his duties fully as President. He makes good on his pledges. He keeps his word. He urges them to seize every available opportunity and do the best with it. Rwandans see in him the leader who will help turn their country into paradise (as the popular mobilisation song says). This in turn inspires them to perform their tasks to the best of their ability. For them, there can be no questions because the results show. The economy has been performing consistently at a high level for a decade. Poverty has reduced appreciably. Life expectancy is increasing. There is education and health care. Rwandans now enjoy more food self-sufficiency and security than at any time in their history. And the country is playing a growing and effective role in regional and international councils. If you thought the near-perfect approval rating of the president is confounding (to the usual critics), wait till you hear the next one. Rwandans have an unusually high trust in politicians. At 80%, it is considerably less than that of the president, but still very good for a class that, at best, is usually tolerated and, at worst, reviled in many parts of the world. Politicians are among the least trusted people in most places. They are never far away from scandal. They are among the most selfish and corrupt individuals. Most times their excesses are tolerated. Other times they get elected as a way of getting them off one’s back because of their tireless insistence and because they are the only people mad enough to claim exceptional abilities to fix society’s problems and actually go ahead to prove the point – often with disastrous consequences. This is, of course, a generalisation. Some upright, high-minded, public-spirited, selfless and well-performing politicians do exist. In Rwanda, their high regard comes from delivering to the people just as the president does. One might even say they have no choice but to do as they must. This redeeming grace does not, however, extend to political parties. According to the survey, they are the least trusted. There is a history to this. Political parties have in the past tended to be divisive and to distract people from pursuing the right path to national prosperity and unity. Today they cherish what contributes to greater cohesion. In this sense the survey gave a thumbs up to Rwandans’ choice of a governance system that emphasises dialogue and consensus. They do not like the system for itself, but because of what it makes possible - solve their individual and societal problems, promote a community spirit and restore a degree of Rwandanness recent history had denied. It is not surprising therefore that such initiatives like Umuganda, Gacaca, Itorero, Girinka and Abunzi that promote dialogue and togetherness, seek collective solutions to common challenges and search for a common ground get high ratings. This is what Rwandans need to go forward. Interestingly, these are all drawn from Rwandan traditions and culture. The message to national leaders and foreign critics is clear. Rwandans have chosen cooperation instead of confrontation. The choice is an endorsement of the politics of consensus and a rejection of adversarial competition. Which takes us back to the beginning. The ‘incredible” election results become more understandable in this context – of the history, choices and aspirations of Rwandans. It does not require rocket science or a leap of faith to grasp such a simple fact. But perhaps I err. A Pauline conversion may actually be needed. Twitter: @jrwagatare

Opinions

Why Kagame enjoys the full trust of Rwandans