Campaigns for the presidential and legislative elections next week are on the last lap. As in most things in this country, the campaign is uniquely Rwandan. For leading presidential candidate Paul Kagame, it is not the usual politics of promises we see elsewhere. It is about the record, but even here, there is a departure from the usual. He is modest about it and does not claim credit for it alone. All achievements are the collective work of all Rwandans together. The other two candidates seem to have failed to adapt to this uniqueness, perhaps through no fault of their own. Although much younger, they are more old-fashioned in their politics. They keep promising what they know they have no chance of delivering even if they win power. General election campaigns are usually grueling affairs anywhere, physically and emotionally demanding on the candidates. This one appears different. President Paul Kagame seems to be enjoying himself. The other two also. He is relaxed and has an easy manner with the citizens at his rallies. He listens to their comments and responds. It is like a conversation among friends. At every rally, he tells the people that he has come to say thank you and remind them about the commitment to one another and to the nation. Not traditional campaign stuff, you might say. Rather, the kind of thing for mobilising people for nation building. Not for canvassing for votes. You could, of course, choose to see other reasons for this. Another constant subject at the rallies is the youth and their role in the life of the nation and its future. Some might have missed the significance of this topic because it is not new. He has talked about the youth numerous times in the past. Or they might dismiss it as the usual talk of politicians – to appear to be on the side of young people and then blunt their youthful drive. It became clearer during a pause in the campaign on July 4 to celebrate National Liberation Day. In his speech on that day, he was the most explicit he has ever been on the subject. He gave the youth a specific mission: this country is yours to protect, defend and make prosperous. He went on to tell them: ”real liberation only begins when the guns fall silent. We began that stage thirty years ago, and we are counting on you the liberation generation to take us further.” The passing on of responsibility could not have been clearer. And again, the task is “more than just surviving but about living well, with success...against poverty, dependence and indignity” Explicit instructions. The occasion and setting of this commissioning was significant too. It was on the day thirty years ago that all Rwandans regained their country and on the occasion marking three decades of transformation. It was made in the presence of veterans – politicians and military- who started and led the liberation struggle, many of them seated in positions of honour in the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium. Representatives of the new generation, made up of the military and police, were already on show on the parade ground. The president was handing over the work of his generation to the liberation generation to carry it to the next level. You might call this the independence generation – those born a few years before and after independence. Perhaps a more fitting name would be the deprived generation, but we will stick to independence. They were shaped by the peculiar circumstances that accompanied that period. Some were driven out of the country into exile as refugees and essentially disinherited. Others, though inside the country, were excluded from enjoyment of their citizenship, and subjected to all manner of injustice and indignity. Nearly all were doomed to a life of deprivation and poverty. The notion of prosperity was markedly absent from national discourse. These circumstances led the independence or deprived generation to act in order to change their conditions, regain their country and put it on a normal path. That they did – and more - and can now say with satisfaction: mission accomplished and over to you the liberation generation to take it up from here. It will not be long before we see the liberation generation completely in charge of the country. The usual noisemakers about the succession will have their answer, although I doubt that will silence them. That generation is well prepared for the job and will not be taken by surprise. First, they have been shaped by different circumstances. They were born in freedom and although not amidst plenty, not in want either. They have had access to a decent, even top class, education, locally and abroad, never had to endure discrimination and exclusion, or cringe before the glare of a menacing official or fellow citizen, or verbal or physical assault from a murderous them. Second, they have been part of the rebuilding and transformation process as participants. Never as outsiders or onlookers. For proof of this, you only have to look at the makeup of the leadership in government and corporate institutions, agriculture and business, and many other sectors. Third, they have had the right mentorship. President Paul Kagame has always had time for them and discussed with them ideas on leadership, nation-building and development in such fora as YouthConnect, MeetThePresident and Young Entrepreneurs. Above all, they are very proud to be Rwanda and are extremely confident. All this in addition to the usual attributes of young people: energy and dynamism, fearlessness and readiness to try new things, even the unconventional, innovative spirit and tech savviness. We can be sure that when they take over from the independence generation, we shall be in very safe hands.
