President Kagame a visionary - Tony Blair

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has described President Paul Kagame as “a visionary leader” who wants the best for his country. Blair made the remarks over the weekend in an interview with a major UK newspaper, The Guardian. “I’m a believer in and a supporter of Paul Kagame ... I do think you’ve got to recognise that Rwanda is an immensely special case because of the Genocide,” he said. “Secondly, you can’t argue with the fact that Rwanda has gone on a remarkable path of development. Every time I visit Kigali and the surrounding areas, you can just see the changes being made in the country”. Blair said that despite some criticism from some organisations, the Rwandan government’s sensitivity was justified because of the country’s recent history. “When they get upset about any form of politics that leaches at all into ethnic rallying cries, it’s for a reason,” he said. “You can’t just dismiss that reason. I don’t ignore these criticisms at all. Indeed, I’ve discussed these with the president. He’s someone I’ve got to know well and I’m a believer in him, and I believe I won’t be disappointed,” said the former British Premier. “...he is somebody who does want to do his best for his country, is doing his best for his country, and is a huge focus of stability in a place that still desperately needs it when we’re only 16 years after the Genocide”. Tony Blair has been associated with Rwanda for many years and is a member of Kagame’s Presidential Advisory Council alongside several prominent Rwandan and international figures. He first launched the work of his charity, the Africa Governance Initiative (AGI), in the country, and later expanded into Liberia and Sierra Leone and plans to take it to other African countries. Ends