Rwanda was, yesterday, elected to the UN Security Council winning 148 of the 193 votes.Rwanda was the sole candidate seconded by the African Union to represent the region.Despite last minute efforts to discredit Rwanda’s bid by state and non-state actors, the win remains a triumph for the country and continent at large.This vote is in recognition of not only Africa’s will but also Rwanda’s contribution to the UN family. Rwandan peacekeepers comprise the six largest contingent in the world. When this contribution is tallied with the fact that the country has either surpassed or is on track to achieve the MDGs, the seat makes even greater sense.The last time Rwanda was on the Security Council was in 1993-1994, a period that coincided with the Genocide against the Tutsi. In an infamous scene, while one million people died in the hills and valleys of this nation, the representative of the genocidal government, Jean Damascene Bizimana, sat at the Security Council table, telling the world that there was no genocide in the country.With the election, this stain on the Security Council’s reputation can finally be put to bed.Rwanda will prove to be a great asset to the world body as it has demonstrated determination to promote fairness in international justice and advocate for the betterment of the less privileged.
