Political space, democracy; not in theory but a reality

Rwandans are getting rather used to malicious reports which always come out at a time they are set to celebrate their achievements. This situation can’t distract a resilient people with a visionary leadership. About the time presidential campaigns kicked off in Rwanda a fortnight ago, Human Rights Watch released a recycled report alleging human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings; Amnesty International published a report alleging the presence of a climate of fear in the country while The Economist published a story stating that; Rwandans who believe Kagame is a visionary leader are wrong. The situation on the ground is totally different and contradicts their unsubstantiated claims. Moreover, while reading these reports, I established inaccuracies and self-contradictions in them. The Human Rights Watch report is full of lies, recycled old fake stories and unsubstantiated claims. For instance, a credibly investigated report, which needs accurate documentation to command trust, cannot state, in anyway, that individual x “was shot dead by military or police”. Who is who? This compelled me to remember the Kinyarwanda saying, “if it’s not a calf, it’s a bull”. But to add water to oil, it was sweet for them to make fake accusations against Rwandan security organs, which is shameful. The fake report by Human Rights Watch was not isolated. It was published out of conspiracy with Amnesty International, which published a similar report on the eve on the beginning of the presidential campaigns, alleging that; “Rwanda’s elections are held amid climate of fear”. If fear means working towards a common goal of unity and prosperity, national and human security, recognition and celebration of the gains registered under the leadership of President Kagame, then, the world has a new definition of fear: happiness and celebrations. The opposition candidate, Frank Habineza, conceded in his campaigns that, Rwandans, including himself, are proud of RPF-led gains, but can do with change. This is very interesting. Well, I know that President Kagame has always reminded all Rwandans, especially RPF cadres, that there was need for change and continuity. Unfortunately, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International will always appeal to The Economist to pen opinions claiming that there is no opposition in Rwanda. The concept of “opposition” is debatable, as some experts define it as confrontation based on different political views. This technical term seems to be applied exclusively to Africa and some few Asian countries which need financial support from the developed countries. Developmental democracies, including Rwanda, have found a new definition for “opposition” that fits them: consensus. If we have to borrow the western world definition of “opposition”, I believe that Rwandans don’t need opposition to be democratic and accountable. They need unity, accountability, citizen participation, empowerment of vulnerable persons and, above all, Rwandans need to be responsible to prosper. In the Western world, unless a political party failed to get the required majority, the winner takes it all and shall work even to erase whatever was achieved by the previous leaders. In Rwanda, the Constitution provides for consensus and power-sharing regardless of how victorious a political organisation has been, and it sets a limit in the Executive. Surprisingly, the former are declared very democratic and the latter classified “authoritarian” regimes. Those who make such classifications are the same people who are now creating a new definition of fear. Political space is all about transparency, voice and accountability. Rwandans understand fear as the bad feeling that you have when you are in danger, when something bad might happen or when a particular thing frightens you. Amnesty International and their ilk understand fear as a special event that Rwandans organise in order to celebrate their achievements and to put in place mechanisms for consolidation. If people think that Rwandans are afraid during these elections, I would invite them to go on the ground. They shall see RPF members and leaders at the local level welcoming both the “opposition” and independent candidates Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana and, at the same time, opposition members will be welcoming the RPF candidate for rallies. That is the difference. In the end, we shall all become the winners. Whoever wins the elections will look into the proposals of others. Regardless of who wins, our elections are a critical point for consolidation of national unity. Unlike other countries, political space and democracy in Rwanda are not in theory; they are embedded in our daily life. Those who think otherwise, facts on ground will always prove them wrong. The writer is a political analyst and member of the PanAfrican Movement Rwanda Chapter. Twitter @NLadislas

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Political space, democracy; not in theory but a reality