What President Kagame's decision to run again means

Politicians and lawmakers have put into context President Paul Kagame’s New Year message, saying his aspirations to run come 2017 reflects the country’s historical journey towards social transformation. In the New Year’s message, President Kagame stated that he would be running for president after his current term comes to an end, following a strong appeal by Rwandans as expressed in the recent referendum. “You requested me to lead the country again after 2017; given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept,” he said in a televised message. The Head of State further stated that the remaining work to fulfill Rwandans’ wish will be to comply with normal procedures and added that his intention was not to be president for life. “Sooner rather than later, this office will be transferred from one person to another in a manner that will serve a purpose, not merely set an example; whether for ourselves or others,” he said. Speaking to The New Times, political experts interpreted the President’s message as genuine and timely with respect to earlier requests from Rwandans. Dr Eugene Ndabaga, an academic at the University of Rwanda, described the President’s address as a motion about registered social and economical capitals and a need for sustainability. “His answer to run in the next presidential elections is multidimensional; it reflects a journey to rejuvenate the country’s social fabric that were destroyed years ago. ‘‘By social fabric I mean, unity, stability, ethics, and dignity on top of economic gains already registered by the country. It is an honour for citizens who own the country’s steady and progressive experience and who also want continuity,” he said. Ndabaga further stated that Rwandans have showed the President steady levels of appreciation and acknowledgement that he couldn’t afford to turn-down their request. “To this I want to say that the Western community that keep criticising our choices that facts are bitter and that grapes are sour, simply because irrespective of critics, it’s up to Rwandans to decide their future, which they expressed in the recent poll.” Johnston Busingye, Rwanda’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, described the excerpts as pure definition of the country’s context in self-rebuilding and a hopeful message for the country’s future. Busingye further related the Head of State’s message as honouring the requests submitted by millions of Rwandans, who went on to overwhelmingly vote in favour of amending the Constitution. “Rwandans honour the President’s decision to run for the next presidential elections the same way President Kagame honoured their requests, because he is an important party in the journey to transform Rwanda,” he added. The Attorney General reemphasised the President’s message on life presidency. “The message says three things; first, he expressed that himself was not of the idea of being president for life, second, that he knows the life of a country is bigger than that of an individual, and finally, he made it clear that sooner or later the office will be handed over in a suitable manner,” Busingye added. The President has previously stated that it was even a mistake to reduce Africa’s problems to mere presidential term limits. Speaking at end of year news conference, Kagame said the continent’s biggest problem is ‘lack of good governance’ that can address the paradox of the richest continent being home to the poorest. Meanwhile, MP Abbas Mukama, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in charge of administration and finance, stated that President’s ‘Yes’ answer to run again come 2017, came as a relief to citizens who voted in Constitutional referendum to keep President Kagame in power in a bid to lay a stronger foundation in nation building. “What Rwandans wanted was granted, it is indeed a special gift for 2016, this was also evidenced from the recent referendum, where an overwhelming majority voted to endorse amendment of the Constitution to ensure stability and continuity,” he said. In his New Year message, President Kagame also said that the unity of the people was unshakably strong and called on Rwandans to remain fully engaged on the journey of transformation, adding that conditions for maintaining political stability are the same as those needed to build the prosperity in the horizon. “Rwandans are optimistic about the future and have confidence in the direction chosen. This should reassure Rwanda’s friends and partners as well,” he said. The country’s journey to amend the Constitution started last year when the majority of eligible voters petitioned Parliament to review the Constitution. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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What President Kagame's decision to run again means