Presidential elections: Celebrating the fruits of liberation

Rwandans go to the polls on August 4 to elect their President for the next seven years. As Rwandans exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights, some outsiders are trying to meddle in their business. Rwandans lived decades without the opportunity to elect leaders of their choice, and the country was even ruled with no regard to their will. National leaders were appointed either by the Church or by the colonialists, and the lower cadres and technicians were appointed out of patronage or nepotism, ruling out the option of merit. Twenty-four years ago, precisely on August 4, 1993, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) signed the Arusha Peace Accords with the then Government of Rwanda, which were supposed to put an end to both the liberation war and the dictatorial regime. These Accords would consecrate the rule of law and unity amongst Rwandans. Unfortunately, instead of implementing the Accords, the Government planned and executed the Genocide against the Tutsi. The Genocide was committed and the International Community was a bystander. And some powerful media were covering it as if it was leisure. None of them but the RPF-Inkotanyi under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, took action against such an abominable plan. The Government, which was supposed to protect all of its citizens, became a killing machine, with full support from some super powers. Thanks to the Rwanda Patriotic Front and its leadership, the genocidal government was overthrown in a period of three months and the Government of National Unity was put in place in July 1994. Since the decentralisation policy was introduced and implemented in May, 2000, Rwandans have, above all, exercised their right to elect leaders of their choice, who fit them. I have been disappointed by some Western media, and most recently, The Economist and The Washington Post, who published falsehoods about Rwanda and the leadership that stopped the Genocide against Tutsi and rebuilt the country. I will not waste my time on them, because ill-wishers have always been there. I will be back to this point after elections, because this is the time for Rwandans to celebrate the fruits of their liberation. But it is highly regrettable to see a major media outlet like The Washington Post, calling for street protests in Rwanda, and insulting Rwandans who are free to exercise their right, with no need from nobody’s approval. How can they insult Rwandans and their President and, above all, invite Rwandans to go on the streets and overthrow the Government of their choice? Not only this is baseless, but also it is criminal by intent, which is done in the name of freedom of speech and democracy. This being said, nonetheless, Rwandans are steady and progressing on the path of their choice. Campaign rallies are full of joy and celebrations, be it for the opposition, which has the right to do so, or the incumbent President Paul Kagame who has the same right as well. We are all celebrating. Why are Rwandans celebrating during these elections? In my view, there is a lot to celebrate. One, they are celebrating the difference between political systems, the earlier that was based on divisionism, and the latter that is based on national unity. They are celebrating their own success and achievements, which resulted from their hard work and visionary leadership of President Kagame. They are celebrating the recovery of their true identity; that is the resilience and unity that can never be defeated, despite ill-wishers. Above all, Rwandans are celebrating the consolidation of the gains from the liberation struggle. On August 4, 1993, they signed for the “dream” of Rwanda the RPF-Inkotanyi had – a united, stable and prosperous country – and, on August 4, 2017, we will ink what has been achieved – unity, security, dignity, prosperity – and seal the Rwanda we want, with the candidate of our choice. To those who call on Rwandans to go on the street and protest against the President of their choice, I tell you, come and see, go and tell. Such chaos won’t happen and it has no basis. As some few media outlets spread rumors against our country, Rwandans get more encouraged to work together to build the Rwanda of their choice. Political Analyst & Member of the PanAfrican Movement, Rwanda Chapter

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Presidential elections: Celebrating the fruits of liberation