
“Felix spent many years in Belgium. He was a taxi driver….but even with a very bad reputation. The man, an old man now, who employed him was an Italian family who owned a pizza shop, and Felix used to deliver. So, when this old man heard that Felix had become president, he said, oh my God, this one” – Paul Kagame (12.03.2025).
It is like President Paul Kagame has forgotten the old days and think his wiser than everyone else. The ringleader of Kigali, the man whose words are law and who can order someone’s demise. That man think his above it all and can speak whatever that he deems fit. This week his just showing his entitlement and arrogance towards the leader and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi.
In this moment and time, it is natural that there are tensions and mistrust between the Presidents. That is all fair and game, as the conflict and the continued spoils of war is appearing. This is why the President’s needs to speak out and further their cause. We know Kagame wants a clean and splendid image. As he cannot even have cartoonist mocking him from within. Neither can there be any satire or anything resembling of indiscipline in Kigali. Therefore, he needs all hands on deck and possibly more than 98% approval rating at any given second.
“By the way, I don’t mind how he became president. He was not elected either time. The first time, Joseph [Kabila] handed power over to him—there’s no question about that. The second time, he simply declared himself the winner, and everyone was told to keep quiet. But that’s not my problem” (Kagame, 12.03.2025).
I understand that Kagame is feeling the pressure, a pinch dash of backlash and also being stifled from outsiders. That is all natural, as the West and others are backing away from him. As they see him for what he is and a Warlord he is. Just that he thought the “Visit Rwanda” on Arsenal Jerseys and other entities would be cute marketing for him. However, that doesn’t save him from his bullets or his misuse of power to loot the DRC. We know the gig and that isn’t over with just yet.
That’s why his doing this folly. Yes, Felix Tshisekedi is far from perfect. Heck, the allegations of the first and the second election are true. Kagame is just the wrong messenger, as his elections are predetermined and he arrests or get rid of the ones who stands in his way. Not like the elections under his reign has been free or fair. No, we know how Kigali does it and he cannot act like we don’t know. Please, Mr. 98% are you aiming for 99% next time?
Kagame should fact check the records and the work history of Tshisekedi. Because his just talking high and mighty, and entitled as such. A former Intelligence Officer and a man who was known for being cold and calculated should know as much. Regardless, we see that this is haunting him. That’s why he goes on a personal attack.
If Kagame wanted us to believe he had good intentions. Well, this interview proves how his not and what his really about. He never intends and never wants to be diplomatic with Kinshasa. No, he just wants to mock and undermine. Because he knows his soldiers and his coordinated efforts are giving him results. That’s why he dares to speak this way.
Kagame wouldn’t have done so, if the conflict was going against him or the ones who fights as his proxy. No, he wouldn’t have sounded differently and would have been more humble. As he knows what is going on and therefore, he can play these silly games. Peace.