Agaciro shows Rwandans’ political maturity

If you asked me to point out a few facts to prove how Rwandans have steadily put their traumatic past to rest, albeit without forgetting, and are collectively forging a new future, I would probably single out two things.First, the historic 2010 elections in which President Paul Kagame emerged with a resounding victory. The run-up to these polls was marred by a systematic campaign against the RPF and the entire leadership in general.Some of the headlines from the world’s leading papers were shocking – and pointed to a dark cloud hanging over our heads. Rwanda, in the eyes of foreign spectators, was a nation on the brink of mayhem.Rights groups were working in tandem – with one choosing to issue a report today and another tomorrow – never mind that the content was pretty much similar. International media pointed their guns to Kigali and for sure an innocent outsider would have imagined that no free soul walking on the streets of Kigali.That wave of hostility came, had its fair share of publicity, wasted so much time in responding to, but eventually disappeared like a thief under the cover of night.What eventually silenced the rumor mills was the calmness and turnout that characterized the August 9 2010 elections. Bedridden patients, mothers in contraction, the elderly, the disabled and almost all Rwandans (98 per cent turn-up) flocked to the poll booths and cast their vote.I am sure the message they were sending is: no matter what you say about this nation, we the people of Rwanda know our destination and are contented with the direction this country is taking.That to me was a strong demonstration of the maturity of our nation and how our people have buried their past differences to collectively defend what constitutes their national interests.Fast-forward, two years later, the storm is back. This time, Rwanda is not accused of oppression, repression, suppression or division. It’s accused of failing to babysit its neighbour that is 100 times its size and 1,000 times richer in natural resources.And for raising its head high to question this injustice, Rwanda is punished with aid cuts or delays and a host of insulting articles from the western media – all over again.To once again defend their national interests, Rwandans have come up with the Agaciro Development Fund. Farmers, hawkers, priests, carpenters, educated and un-educated – are all enthusiastically rushing to make their contribution to this fund. The latest being a group of young Rwandan professionals grouped under Umurinzi association who raised 670 million last week for this noble initiative.Money aside. If there was an election planned for tomorrow, the quick success of this initiative would certainly point to the popularity of this government and you wouldn’t have to waste money on Gallup poll.More important, the willingness of Rwandans to sacrifice a portion of their earnings serves to prove how Rwandans today see themselves as one, and that any external aggression on their nation is an attack on them all, not on Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.Like the 2010 elections, Rwandans are using Agaciro to simply say; we believe in the goodwill of this government and we have confidence in the direction we are taking.However, such initiatives should also provoke our western brothers and sisters to take a moment and ask themselves as to why Rwandans have put up such defiant resistance. The truth is that Rwanda is not alone. More and more African nations are standing up to challenge this big-brother syndrome – where Africa is treated like A.O.B.Africans are not a bunch of ‘monkeys’ – they moved from Stone Age decades ago and have equally embraced ICT. They have an equal reasoning capacity to determine what is good for them.True, much as some African countries are making significant gains in reclaiming their destiny and dignity, a few remain a big shame. They are static and can’t put their house in order.As such, they become a fertile ground for those seeking to maintain control and influence on the affairs of this continent.Certainly the tide is changing and the earlier our brothers and sisters in the west realised this, the better. Agaciro Fund is one simple example to support this discourse.For Rwanda, Agaciro Fund does not only seek to amplify our desire to take charge of our destination, its success also demonstrates how Rwandans have become a united lot.On twitter @aasiimwe

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Agaciro shows Rwandans’ political maturity