The Rwandan Head of State is running out of friends and now is looking for the youth to explain why is being branded the new breed of dictators on the continent. Last weekend when he was attending the end of the month community work (Umuganda), he attacked the west of being inaccurate on the Rwandan issues when it comes to aid, and he branded them running out of money and instead look for excuses.

Paul Kagame is an intriguing figure. Funded by international aid, yet dismissive of it; an advocator of democracy, yet serial violator of human rights; and an internationally acclaimed ‘peace-builder’, yet with his political party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) accused of war crimes and attacking its neighbor Congo through the M23 proxy which in fact is funded by part of the aid that Kagame receives from the international donors. Therefore there are few figures more divisive on the continent today, than the former new breed of Africa by Bill Clinton.

Similarly, while addressing the students in the Stadium (Amahoro) today, Kagame justifies killing, invading Congo and other human rights violations by blaming others. Kagame has set out in his own direction, and while his economic achievements have been recognised and applauded by the West and the international donor community, he has started to receive equally high levels of criticism for what is, essentially, a despotic and dictatorial regime. In response to criticism, he states: “They expect us to be a normal country, like the ones where they are from. They do not understand that we are operating in a very different context.” Kagame asks for political licence to rule in the ways most practical and effective for the unique circumstances of Rwanda. But does this justify his human rights abuses, murders, disappearances of political opponents?

Some political analysts have argued that Kagame “allows less political space and press freedom at home than Robert Mugabe does in Zimbabwe”. Political dissidence is overtly and brutally silenced through arrests, assassinations and sackings. This is evidenced in having almost all opposition leaders in jail or others assassinated, some of the notables include, Ingabire Victoire, Deo Mushayid, and Bernard Ntaganda, who are jailed just because they disagree with Kagame on the political vision of this country. Those who were butchered are, Kagwa Rwisereka the former vice-president of green party in Rwanda, Asiel Kabera former aide to President Pasteur Bizimungu, just to mention a few.
Kagame is regarded as having all the characteristics of past African despots – the Amins of this world, who used and abused governmental structures to make themselves and their inner circles infinitely rich and powerful. Indeed, all the business in Rwanda are either owned by the Kagame family and relatives or through proxies who work for Kagame and family. Jeannette Kagame is believed to be the President in waiting and behind the curtains; she is the real person behind all the presidential decisions. She has also amassed a lot of wealth through her brothers and family friends. Like Simon Gbagbo the wife of the Ivory Coast leader who was deposed disgracefully, she has committed many crimes against humanity.

It is not clear if these leaders have anything to learn from those they replaced or history does not teach politicians. However, what is clear though, no man lives indefinitely and so his leadership and power one day comes to an end, Dear Mr. .president have you prepared for this day for you and family?

Jacqueline Umurungi.
Brussels.