Rwanda: Kagame doesn’t differentiate the party and the nation…

“But some of our friends, sometimes they are friends, other times you don’t know what to expect. We still have to deal with those. Because we are RPF, you can’t wish us away, we are here, this is our place, this is our country. We shall stay and stay and stay. Here I am not talking just about RPF, I am talking about the country, through RPF. When I say this, I mean Rwanda” – President Paul Kagame (02.04.2023).

Yesterday at the Conference, in which the President was re-elected for another term as the Party Chairman of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF). He said some chilling words to his critics. However, it is also saying, which states something many has perceived over the years.

Kagame is now directly saying that RPF is Rwanda and Rwanda is RPF. Meaning they are directly connected, and no one can wish them away. This practically announcing that the RPF is the sole-party, and the one custodian of what Rwanda is. Therefore, if anyone partake or associate with other parties, they are not Rwandan.

RPF is saying Rwanda is their country and are here to stay. It is in the name and with the historical factors… it isn’t shocking either. Nevertheless, it just shows a sentiment and an idea, which is wrecking the idea of multipartyism or anything similar to that. Because the words used, and rhetoric is obviously to align the party to the nation.

Ever since 1994 the RPF have been the ruling regime and Kagame has lingered in power. Kagame has President since 2000, but been in the upper echelon ever since the invasion and when the RPF took power. That’s just a fact and his now the sole leader and commander-in-chief. There is no initial pressure on him. The proprietor of the Republic and it shows.

That’s why his “winning” elections, as close to 100% as they can get. There is no real competition and anyone who dares to oppose will be silenced. They will either rot in prison or mysteriously die. That’s just the endgame and this is why he has embedded his party in the state infrastructure. They are so connected that it will be hard to differentiate or separate them apart. It’s all done with a purpose and because Kagame has consolidated all power within his ranks.

Now his leaving all doubts and saying it out loud. If you are dissenting or questioning the reign of the RPF. You are indirectly questioning the nation itself. Because his stating this as a fact. That the RPF is Rwandan, and Rwanda is RPF. When you speak like this… you are setting the bar and has already decided the path. There is no middle ground or wiggle-room. The whole space is taken. The state and the party is one and the same.

Sooner or later, Kagame will not only say the party is Rwanda, but he himself is the embodiment of Rwanda. Since there isn’t that far from each other. Just like RPF is Rwandan, so is he. Therefore, Kagame and Rwanda all is here to stay. That’s the gist of things and it’s going.

We know that Rwanda is ruled by one Majority Party, a former armed liberation front and armed resistance against the previous predecessor in the civil war in 1994. Therefore, we know the militarized government and junta leadership, which is the RPF itself. It isn’t totally civilian and never have been.

It is now common knowledge, and this is words of Kagame. The President and Chairman of RPF. That’s who he believes Rwanda is and everyone else just has to comply. Peace.

Rwanda: Ministry of Justice – Statement by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General (24.03.2023)

Rwanda: Paul Rusesabagina letter to President Paul Kagame begging for a pardon (14.10.2022)

Opinion: Macron should atone for Mitterrand’s sins

“Since 1994, sorry to say it in such crude terms, you have never been able to restore the military, security or administrative sovereignty of your country. It is a reality. We must not look for culprits outside, in this case” (…) “Don’t blame the France for something that depends on you” – President Emmanuel Macron (04.03.2023).

Sometimes, hubris and arrogance takes over. In essence, that’s maybe what happened in the Joint Press Conference with French President Emmanuel Macron and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi. The French thought he could humiliate and act naive about the past. However, the French has to take responsibility here… their choices and power in the Great Lakes has cost lives and insecurity. Not their actions alone, but they have amplified. That was all done in favour of one ruling elite and regime in the early 1990s in Kigali. This is why there is issues to this day.

In Kinshasa yesterday, Macron could have answered and offered relief for the mistakes of the past. Instead, he pins the blame on the rulers today and brushes of the involvement in the past. That is arrogant and forgetful. Like if “Operation Turquoise” wasn’t implemented and didn’t have any sort of outcome to begin with. While we all know the aftermath and what occurred after the French gave the ex-FAR and “interahamwe” a safe-haven in the DRC. Many of us know the continued bloodshed and insecurity that has persisted ever since. Therefore, the French should take blame, but we see the entitlement of Paris in these regards. Seriously, it is infuriating.

Just read snippets of assessments and writings on the matter!

“That is why, in addition to the major concerns outlined above, we share with you a copy of a memo that we gave to members of the delegation of the Security Council of the United Nations who visited the DR Congo on May 19, 2009 – a memo which tells the tragedy suffered by the Congolese people. This memo can be summarized as follows:

“Since 1994, the superbly armed Hutu, fleeing the advance of the Rwandan Patriotic Army crossed the Congolese border with support of UN operations called ‘turquoise’, headed by France. These Hutus settled in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu in flagrant violation of all international standards governing the right of asylum or refuge. Known as the “Interahamwe” or FDLR, Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, and so on, these Hutu particularly stand out in DR Congo by practicing acts of looting, rape, massacre and so on. And since they became a pretext for the authorities in Kigali to justify the presence in DR Congo of their regular army, the results are the current massacres and atrocities suffered by our people at Makobola, Kasika Katogota, Lemera, Nindja, Kaniola , Kalambi, Bunyakiri, Kaziba, Luhwindja, Kalonge, Bukavu, Uvira, Kiliba, Katumba Kalehe, Bwegera, Kamituga, Mwenga, Shabunda, Lugushwa, Ngando, Ndola, Kigulube, Bijombo, Masango Tubimbi, Kakungwe, Mushago, Kitutu, Lubuga , Mutambala, Fizi, Minembwe, Bibokoboko, Baraka, Kagabwe, to name a few, as regards the South-Kivu. Moreover, Rwanda’s history is punctuated by cyclical and fratricidal wars driven by a spirit of intolerance and retaliation between Hutus and Tutsis. Hence, when it is the Rwandan Tutsi ethnic group that is in power, their countrymen who are in the majority, the Hutus, are in exile: and vice versa. DR Congo has become each time, the country of pilgrimage for them” (Rev. Aniedi Okure, OP – Letter From Congolese Elected Officials to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 26.08.2009).

“That the French government be careful not to use the excuses made to the Rwandan regime to join the club of looters of DRC resources; That the French government take a position on the genocide and serious crimes committed in the Congo by the Rwandans and their accomplices since “Operation Turquoise”; That the French government in turn come out clearly in favor of the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal for the DR Congo, responsible for prosecuting the perpetrators of the genocide and serious crimes committed in the Congo since “Operation Turquoise” in 1994; That the parliamentarians friends of the Congo, introduce these concerns of the Congolese people in their questions to the government and before the European institutions” (Hamuli RETY – ‘CRID MEMORANDUM ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF “OPERATION TURQUOISE” AND THE CONGOLESE GENOCIDE IN THE DRC’ 08.03.2010, CRID).

“The escape of many of these Hutu extremists was enabled by the French safe zone, concealed by the flood of refugees. To fight these rebels, the new Rwandan government supported the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL), which also aimed at overthrowing the president. This caused a violent emergency in the DR Congo in October 1996. Therefore, the intervention did trigger instability in a neighboring country, however, the conflict did not occur within two years after the end of the intervention” (Rwanda 1994, Teresa Leiendecker, Karolina Schmid, 21.12.2018).

When you read these things and from very different sources. You understand the deep underlying sentiment. Alas, the French has responsibility for the insecurity in the DRC. It is partly their fault and it cannot hide from it decades later. The choices made by the leaders of Paris has haunted the DRC. It still does and the remains of these decisions are costing lives today. Therefore, Macron should be more humble and understanding.

However, he met an inept and unprepared President. The leaders of Kinshasa wasn’t prepared or ready for yesterday. They didn’t think it would play out like it this week, but it has. Macron trying to act like the “hot shot” and “big man” but not account for the past transgression of his nation. That’s something he should acknowledge, but if he does… he knows he will have to pay consequences right now, but also possibly at home. That’s why he doesn’t have the courage or the heart to do so. Peace.

Rwanda: Declaration Commune des paris d’opposition armes au gouvernement rwandais (27.02.2023)

Rwanda: Rwandan Authorities Should Ensure an Independent Investigation into John Williams Ntwali’s Death – Joint Statement by 90 Civil Society Organizations and Press Associations (31.01.2023)

United Kingdom: Priti Patel MP letter to outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP (05.09.2022)

United Kingdom: Joint Committee on Human Rights letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel MP on the Rwanda-UK Asylum-Agreement (21.07.2022)

Opinion: Kagame has no intention of stepping down… and he never will.

The ones that thought the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame would step would be naive at this point. His the sort of leader who took power with the guns, who lives by the gun and dies by the gun. There is really no reason or justification for him to step down or retire. Kagame is just the ordinary character who will die in office. There is no way he will secure a peaceful transition or a legit transfer of power.

Kagame has a stranglehold on the political landscape. The only way to possible topple him or takeover is by armed rebellion. That’s because any sort of critic is losing their businesses, licenses or even career. If you voice your opinion or is a legit opposition. You will either be arrested, charged with superficial charges and possible killed by an “accident” or by “default”. That is just the way the regime works.

The ones that is defending Kagame is doing it for all possible reasons of the development and his extraordinary ability to look like a statesman. However, his far from that. His a former military intelligence agent and worked together with Museveni directly in the Bush-War before getting help from the NRA to topple the regime in Kigali in 1994. Therefore, his whole career has been based around violence and he has pursuit that ever since.

Kagame has been parts of proxy wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the 1990s. He has been part of installing Laurent Kabila in office. The officials and military of Rwanda has since then used the provinces bordering to Rwanda as a way of looting and massacres for vast profits. That’s why rebellions and militias has been supported, trained and operated from Rwanda. This is well document and not just hearsay.

While Kagame wants everything to look perfect and sincere. There is a deeper and a sinister side. His the sort of man that bans satire and political cartoons. The sort of Demigod who walks among us and no one can utter a joke about him. People cannot discuss politics or state affairs on YouTube. Bloggers are taken out and so are government critics who are singers or anyone else.

So, when people are shocked that this man wants to run again and plans to run another 20 years. Well, Kagame and his kind will die in office. He will either die in a hospital in the West or Nairobi. If not he will be killed by an assassin. There is no way his retiring unless a general is able to sway him to step down, because of a crisis or a renegade officer plans a coup d’etat against him.

A man like Kagame isn’t built for democracy or for freedom of speech. Neither is he a visionary of liberty or justice. His the man who believes his vision is supreme and above the rest. He fought and everyone else should just be lucky to have him in-charge.

Well, that’s the sort of leader he is and people are just supposed to blindly support him. If they doubt him or questions him. There will be no mercy or even soft consideration. That’s why there is no real alternative to state media or even critics who is allowed to speak.

That’s why I am not shocked that his returning for another election. This is just a scheduled affair and the “opposition” of the race is just pawns anyway. Secondly, the real opposition is behind bars, dead or in the diaspora. Thirdly, this man will die in office. Either by natural death of ageing or by assassination. Peace.

Opinion: CHOGM gave Kagame all the political capital he ever wanted

This here was served on a silver platter. The speeches, the interviews and the publicity is a wet dream for any sort of Head of State. The 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali in Rwanda was just to perfect. It was a spectacle and a show worthy of anyone watching politics. Though the usage and the means of it won’t amount to much.

However, President Paul Kagame got exactly what he wanted. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking well of Rwanda and other Heads of State doing the same. People seeing all smiles and the glory. That’s a propaganda victory of the ages. Just like the Olympics or Sporting events. This was just that sort of story and making the regime of Kigali look good.

We know that critics of Kagame goes missing, gets abducted, arrested or is inevitably silenced. The same with the opposition or anyone who really opposes him. That’s why he wins over 90% at every single election. His party is supreme and his words are decreed. Whatever Kagame decides is the law and order of the Republic. That’s how things are run… and what you not got to see.

People got to see a polished “statesman” though Kagame is as brutal as it gets. He kills his detractors and has earned fortunes on the plights of the people of Kivu Provinces since the 1990s in the Democratic Republic of Congo. So, while the M23 is ravaging in the DRC with the support of Kigali.

Kagame got to bash in glory. Got to get the spotlight on the clean-streets and the positivity of Kigali. Where things are correct and smooth. However, it is just perfecting things and making it look organized.

This will be shilled to the press and whatever sort of international media houses who reported on it. The Commonwealth was now a the sort of operation that skims over what the regime does. That’s the beauty of it and the United Kingdom is willing to be the supervisor of it all. Which is very ironic, because Rwanda has distanced itself from much of the relics of the colonial past. Nevertheless, they signed up for the Commonwealth and his now the Chairman of it.

That is saying something. Kagame is getting a title and a world stage in an organization, which is only reflecting good on him. Just like he used the year 2018 to be the Chair of African Union (AU) to spearhead himself and his own vision across the board. The same will now be done by giving him the honour of being recognized by the Commonwealth.

Certainly, it is like his past or present doesn’t matter. The ones who dares to defy him in Rwanda. Either ends up in jail or stops breathing. Therefore, this isn’t the sort of man you hire to get better governance. Unless, you prefer oppression and a full blown military dictatorship. Which uses all means to silence critics. The state uses various techniques to make it happen and it all happens simultaneously. People just end up dead and there is all sorts of excuses for it.

Kagame won’t state it and we know. We know that Kigali will not take any blame, but blame the victims. That’s just what it does and the same for the ones lingering in prison. The prisoners of conscience and political prisoners who defied him. They are there because they spoke out, made a cartoon or fielded their candidacy without him recognizing them. Because, no real opponent of him would get his blessing.

This CHOGM22 gave Kagame just what he wanted. It gave him positivity and it looked futuristic. The facade and the play of the guards. Where everything just looked amazing. However, the dark-side of this regime wasn’t spoken off. Neither was it addressed. Instead, Kagame down-played and acted like no one could give him any lessons. We have seen that before, but now at a grander stage and without any real push-back.

He shouldn’t get away with it. We know that he most likely will. This man is a warlord and a tyrant. It is just the way he wants to play things to get away from that. He wants to act like a natural leader, but we know that if he didn’t have the guns or the power of the army. Kagame wouldn’t get far either .That’s why anyone who opposes him gets into danger.

This man isn’t a gentleman, but a calculated killer and if you don’t believe me. Read up on why they nicknamed him: ‘Pilato’. Peace.