•The president said that no one had the authority to determine what is right or wrong for Rwandans, other than the Rwandan people themselves, in a statement seen as directed at Western countries who have questioned Rwanda’s democratic credentials.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has hit out at critics of his leadership, who claim that his government lacks democracy.

The president said that no one had the authority to determine what is right or wrong for Rwandans, other than the Rwandan people themselves, in a statement seen as directed at Western countries who have questioned Rwanda’s democratic credentials.

“The more we seek peace, dialogue and self-reliance, the more resistance we face from the outside world who want to derail our development. As Rwandans, we should reject the injustices upon us and shape our own destiny,” President Kagame said at the opening of the 10th National Dialogue meeting locally known as “Umushyirano” in Kigali.

President Kagame, who called on Rwandans to fight for their dignity, came to power as the leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front following the 1994 genocide and has helped rebuild the country. But over the years, he has been criticised for running unopposed and suppressing freedom of speech.

In response, Kagame has cited development in the country, including the enforcement of women’s rights, investment in education and healthcare as well as robust economic growth.

Earlier this year, Kagame was in the spotlight over the unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the M23 rebel group has been fighting government soldiers.

Rwanda has denied involvement in the DRC, refuting evidence from surrendering rebels who told UN officials that they were Rwandans who had been recruited and trained in Rwanda.

Some key donors have withheld aid over these claims, among them Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and the US. The accusations also affected an expected dispatch of crucial funds from the African Development Bank.

The US war crimes office had in July warned Rwanda’s leaders, including President Paul Kagame, that they could face prosecution at the International Criminal Court for arming groups responsible for atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“They say Rwandans do not talk… I find problems when I ask people why they are quiet, maybe they do not want to talk,” Kagame said in reference to criticisms by international civil society groups that have constantly accused him of crushing dissent.

The annual dialogue brought together more than 800 people including government officials, members of civil society and diplomats.