An Open Letter to my country

Dear Rwanda… CONGRATULATIONS on the memorable couple of days you’ve had. What an exciting few weeks that you had as a build-up to the Presidential elections. I have been keeping up with what’s happening in your life, but it’s just not the same as actually being there with you – it disgusts me seeing what you have been going through. It galls my inside to see how some of your sons and daughters are forming alliances with the intention of undermining your achievements - propaganda, hate speech, selfishness, corruption, and greed to name but a few. How venomous they all turned at a time when you expected all of them to join hands. They seem to have forgotten that it is all of us, through sheer hard work, that created this nation and no one has the right to tear it apart, or claim to have a larger stake in it than others. Instead, they should all be proud of the achievements attained, improve in every area and strive even harder to accomplish their future goals together. Tomorrow’s Rwanda must be better than today’s. Nevertheless, today is not a day for remorse. It is not a day for lost causes. Today is a day for celebration. Your people are overwhelmingly happy about their choice, and they surely did it in style – by electing Paul Kagame. The young, old, disabled, Muslims, Christians and atheists are proud in their choice, and those that I have spoken to are saying he is a man of his word and will propel you to even greater heights. I’m confident that your choice for President is indeed the right one; you will continue finding in him what you have always longed for – sustained dignity and excellence, which judging by Kagame’s track record, should be guaranteed. As you celebrate the re-election of one of your own, the present I humbly send you today is this letter; this public note, this irrevocable display of affection and support and gratitude. You have done great at nurturing and providing for all of us. For that, I am thankful. So I am only too happy to offer my toast to you now, as you get ready to swear in the President: one who will continue upholding your core values – building a united and successful Rwanda. You are the best country, filled with extraordinary natural beauty, excellent people and a rich culture. Your economy is strong and thriving, your streets are clean and safe. I am so proud of you. I see other countries in a lesser light - they could never compare with you. If falling in love with you is a crime, then I am guilty as charged. Everything that I have known and loved is irrevocably tied up with you. You define who I am, and forever I remain grateful. As you have always emphasized through my late mother, the greatest happiness is neither how much material wealth we possess nor how much love we receive. It is about how much we have contributed in creating better quality lives for each other. So, my toast today is sincere: I wish the deepest and most profound love of my life a happy future, a good future – cheers to Rwanda. iban.mugabo@gmail.com Liban Mugabo is a graduate student in Singapore