In the face of this unprecedented scourge of COVID-19, when the world is at a standstill, it is appalling to see individuals, who pride themselves to know best, daring to teach others lessons. In the case of Rwanda, it is even more disturbing to witness detractors and genocide deniers join hand to undermine commendable efforts deployed by the Government to contain this pandemic, with a view to set citizens against their leaders. This rising chorus of criticism flooding social media with false accusations and deliberate lies could not find any worse timing than this when Rwandans are commemorating the loss of their loved ones following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Even though they have grown accustomed to virulent attacks bursting from all over, it is regrettable to have to deal with them during these moments of remembrance. At a time like this, when the world leaders are racking their brain to respond swiftly to the coronavirus common challenges, they should not be diverted from their main focus if they are to reverse its devastating consequences. They are required to do their part as any deed achieved locally has a global impact. The blame therefore lies in the hands of those who misuse their right to freedom of speech to portray themselves as the Master Thinkers claiming the prerogative to dictate how the world should be run. What moral authority gives them the right to meddle in internal affairs of sovereign states? Who are they to substitute themselves to the leaders of nations? Are states going to sit idle and watch these bullies harass their citizens without any punitive action? Freedom of speech does not allow anyone to question Governments measures aimed at insuring the wellbeing of the citizens. Exploiting vulnerable men and women who are struggling to cope with new changes due to COVID-19 to trigger civil disobedience has to be sanctioned. It is a known fact that these givers of lessons are not driven by any empathy but rather by the desire to incite people to rebel since creating chaos in countries is their sole bread winner. Rwandans do not need anyone to lecture them as they have learned their own lessons of history when they hit the rock bottom and climbed their way back to rise again from ashes. Drawing from that bitter past experience, they opted to work in tandem to restore unity and rebuild a new Rwanda free from hatred and divisions, with a view to preventing history from repeating itself. They now have embarked on a new era that will ensure a safe and prosperous future to their young generations. Drawing lessons from their journey to recovery, Rwandans understood that effecting unity and reconciliation towards a sustainable common future will continue to derive from their efforts and sacrifice. They are fortunate to benefit from HE President Paul Kagame’s informed leadership whose sense of purpose and direction has consistently delivered on its promises and helped Rwandans to achieve objectives set for themselves efficiently. The winning formula is none other but the resolve to engage the whole population in continuous fruitful consultations to enable them to shape the future they want. Putting people at the centre of the country governance and development agenda enabled the people of Rwanda to own their destiny. This has yielded tangible and predictable results that have optimized performance consistently, with a ripple effect of prompting citizens to surpass themselves to sustain their gains. The unity of Rwandans has been paramount in reaching the milestones achieved stemming from an innovative governance rooted in their traditions. The fruit of their hard labour and good leadership mainly focused on building unity and power sharing serves to uproot all seeds of genocide ideology so as to foster a shift in mindset that puts safety first. To preserve that unity and cohesion consistently, Rwandans have, at times, no other option but to resort to some unconventional solutions to respond to unusual demands deriving from their unique legacy impacted by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. That is why Rwandans will never tolerate anything endangering the security reached with long-term conjugated efforts. They will rise as one to protect and consolidate their costly gains. The tacit bond woven with their Leaders through opportunities afforded to them to deal with any arising issue likely to have a negative bearing on their wellbeing in a transparent manner, has tremendously contributed to preserving their unity and in propelling their country to greater heights. Lessons givers will therefore be vehemently denounced as Rwandans refuse to be lectured by aliens completely disconnected from their own reality. Even though international agreed standards are respected, anything that does not go along with the people’s values stemming from ‘Ubumuntu, ubupfura, Agaciro and kwigira’ or anything else likely to threaten their cohesion and security has to be readjusted to meet the requirements that guarantee unity and safety. Preachers or Moralists who intend to lecture Rwandans are hereby invited to first undergo self-introspection and clean up their own backyard instead of being maniacs in spotting any flaws or imperfection occurring in Rwanda. Who knows, maybe their compound is not as clean as they might think. Rwandan renegades attempting to corrupt their compatriots’ minds and beliefs are also reminded that the Leadership and citizens of Rwanda will never be taken hostages. They will never be fooled as they have acquired the ability to know what is best for them. They have their role-models to look up to; proven heroes who dried their tears when the world had turned its back as well as men and women in their proximity who spend sleepless nights to cater for their needs and run to the rescue when disaster strikes. More importantly, they have fully understood that there are no valuable lessons to learn from those self-proclaimed teachers of lessons. Consequently, spare them one more lecture! The writer is a socio-political commentator based in Kigali.
