Rwanda's history and modern realities cannot be brushed aside in 2017 debate

Editor, RE: “Reminiscing on a liberation struggle under an exceptional commander” (The New Times, August 3). Outsiders – many of whom have never had to make the kind of sacrifices that we Rwandans have had to and even then without any assurance of success—can hardly grasp the bond that Rwandans have with President Paul Kagame. Without him we wouldn’t have our country back on its feet, let alone be the vital recovering society that strikes any objective observer with its optimism. We do not see him as a mere political leader that can be interchanged with any other reliably competent technocrat. He is the talisman without whom our country would be in the first ranks of failed states, if not at the top. He brings out the best in us Rwandans, even as he tamps down successfully on our less admirable impulses.The overwhelming majority of Rwandans know what we have, and we want to continue to have it for as long as the God of Rwanda lets us have him, which we hope will be long. Without him would Rwanda still exist as a going concern? Many of us doubt it. Would we continue to prosper and pull as fast from the edge of the abyss as we are doing with him in charge? We don’t want to find out, for that would require the kind of experimentation for which we are unready. Mwene Kalinda *************************** Capt. Ndahiro reminded me of John Maxwell’s famous leadership saying: if you can’t carry the ball, you can’t lead the team. President Kagame’s physical presence at battle fields demonstrated how leaders should behave. Inspiration from such leadership has again reenergized my Christian faith. Indeed the Bible says that you can move mountains by faith. No wonder, we always witness the President coming to our villages to solve pending issues when local leaders and communities fail to deliver. I have heard of great men in revolutions whose greatness can barely outlive the wars they won. Ndahiro has helped me see through the crowds of Rwandans who impatiently want the Constitution amended. Kagame is bequeathing Rwandans “people’s heart”; possibly other Africans can borrow a leaf so that neocolonial agenda is denied a place anywhere in Africa. JK *************************** I thank Mr Ndahiro for the insights. It’s very important for men like him who participated in the liberation struggle to bring out any necessary truth concerning our great country and its great men, especially now when Rwandans are avoiding the crossroads between imperialism to self sustainability. It’s without a doubt that Paul Kagame’s intellect, discipline, patriotism and determination inspired the liberation of Rwanda and subsequent rebirth. It’s clear that security, development, smartness, self sustainability, transparency, recognition, pride, booming investments, and defined future is all he wishes for the people of Rwanda. He gave his life for Rwanda during the liberation struggle; he has willing offered to lead from the front in the process to rebuild Rwanda; and he has outstandingly and boldly represented Rwanda on the global stage. We Rwandans can only entrust him and only him with our future. My wish is that he is there for us come 2017 and beyond. Singanira

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Rwanda's history and modern realities cannot be brushed aside in 2017 debate