Rwanda welcomes Obama victory

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo yesterday welcomed the re-election of Barack Obama to America’s White House, stating that relations between Rwanda and the US will continue to grow under his second four-year term.The First black American to become the leader of arguably the world’s most influential nation convincingly defeated his Republican rival Mitt Romney in Tuesday’s election.“Rwanda congratulates President Barrack Obama upon his re-election. I think it is a good thing and look forward to continue the good relationship we share with America,”Mushikiwabo, who is also the government spokesperson, said in a phone interview yesterday.Asked what she expected Obama’s contribution on Africa’s growth to be, Mushikiwabo stressed that her important desire is to see progress and development for the continent.“I don’t speak for Africa but on behalf of Rwanda, I expect that we keep moving forward.We don’t put demands on foreign leaders therefore we hope to strengthen our relationship at different levels of cooperation with the American people,” she said.Other Rwandans that The New Times interviewed not only have high expectations for Obama’s interaction with Rwanda but for Africa as a whole.“As Obama takes his second term in office, he will not be looking for votes anymorebecause this is his last term. So I believe that he will be bolder on issues affecting Africa than he was in his first term,” Robert Mathu, the CEO of the Capital Markets Authority said.Obama has Kenyan roots, stemming from his father Barack Obama Senior, and he still has direct relations in the East African country, including his perternal grandmother.“I felt that he was a little sensitive in his first term and not aggressive enough on issues concerning Africa, especially the Sub Saharan region. This region has the potential to be the bread basket for the world and I feel that Obama will give it some more attention in terms of investment. I also hope he visits East Africa.”Senator Therese Bishagara expressed delight at Obama’s victory, although her main focus was on the work of America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama.“Michelle Obama has the same charisma and strong personality like her husband and has a lot to do for women in the developing part of the world. The couple is loved all over the world and I would like to see Michelle Obama helping African women in their initiatives,” Bishagara said.“Rwanda has shown that empowering women is part and parcel of a country’s development and I believe this is Michelle Obama’s dream as well.”However, Africans shouldn’t expect much from Obama but rather understand that their future lies only in their hands, according to John Magara Gahakwa, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Banque Populaire du Rwanda.“It is not good for us as Africans to think that President Obama will go out of his way to make our lives as Africans better just because he has African roots. Ideally it is our responsibility; we hold the keys to our prosperity and not America,” Gahakwa said.I think he will be stronger in his interactions with Africa now that it his last term, but it is wrong for us and stressful on his part for us to place a lot of hope in him.”The swearing-in ceremony will be held on January 21, 2013.

National

Rwanda welcomes Obama victory