Commonwealth entry, new friends, fresh opportunities

As expected Rwanda was over the weekend admitted into the Commonwealth of Nations. This marks a significant step forward in consolidating herself as a player to reckon with on the international scene. Indeed, Rwanda’s leadership has through intensified diplomatic efforts sought new friends and fresh alliances, to the benefit of the country’s citizens and development efforts, post the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In this case entry into the Commonwealth of Nations does not only mean enhanced bilateral cooperation with the rest of the member states, but other benefits in the areas of trade cooperation and development initiatives. But the journey into the Commonwealth was not without its own challenges. It was characterised by an intensified onslaught from the country’s detractors. A journey that created fly-by-night experts on Rwanda, whose ink could never run dry as they pontificated on why she could not possibly qualify to be a Commonwealth member. Arguments clearly taken from the same script of the country’s motley group of detractors, who include unrepentant negationists and revisionists, whose only aim is to undermine any progress by Rwanda’s leadership. They clutched on straws as they sought to create a scene of a present day Rwanda, in which human rights are butchered, painting a picture of such doom and gloom, anyone who has not been to Kigali can only equate to images of the 1994 Genocide. Today, as Rwanda claims victory she has proved to the world that indeed, African countries, will determine their own destination, dismantle invisible borders created by colonialism, and creating a world of choices for their citizens not determined by their colonial history. Thus, demystifying primitive notions that Africa will in perpetuity be divided on the basis of previous colonizers. The excruciating debate leading to the weekend events only proves that those who unashamedly argued against Rwanda joining the Commonwealth, know and understandthe consequence of a free African country, no longer a subject to post-colonial dictates. For Rwanda’s leadership what is clear is that the voice of reason will always prevail, and they have good friends, in the form of countriesthat refused to be hoodwinked in support of retrogressive agendas but saw reason in standing with Rwanda and her people. Ends

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Commonwealth entry, new friends, fresh opportunities