Spread truth about Rwanda’s achievements, Mushikiwabo tells parties

KIGALI - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, has called for effective dissemination of information on the country’s success and the ongoing development programmes, as one of the major tools to deal with Rwanda’s critics. Mushikiwabo made the call, yesterday, during the General Assembly of the National Consultative Forum for Political Organisations in Kacyiru, where she presented a paper on the ‘role of political parties in the use of media.’ “Some of our critics are made stronger by our weaknesses in effectively communicating our success stories and strategically engaging external actors. We need to communicate what Rwanda achieved and what we are doing,” Mushikiwabo noted. She said that much of the aggressive criticism the country faces in its governance “is unfair and is due to bias or ill intentions.” The Minister acknowledged that data on good governance is available but is not disseminated. Mushikiwabo observed that some external negative forces have a destructive agenda that they are using to mobilise the international community against the country. “The basis of major criticisms we face may not be our weaknesses or what we do wrong; but rather the inacceptance of our achievements (security; unity; development) and our aspirations (self reliance; independence and voice).” “In the latter case, because we can’t opt for compromising our development and aspirations, we have to firmly confront ill intentioned critics.” She observed that Rwanda made tremendous progress in fostering good governance, improving political accountability, rule of law and strengthening democratic governance. “Rwanda’s foreign policy has yielded more friends than ever before,” she said. Mushikiwabo, however, identified revisiting key laws such as those related to the media, NGOs and faith based organizations as some of the areas that need improvement. The presentation was welcomed by the heads of political parties who promised to engage in public dialogue and carry out awareness campaigns. Ends