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.

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Muhoozi’s one-day affair in Kigali: When diplomacy is set to die…

You can wonder sometimes… if blood is so important that state affairs and diplomatic agencies loose all values. Because, the Government of Uganda has a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has a diplomatic corpse in Kigali and has a Ministry of Interior, which all could have enforced and ensure protocol on the matter. However, the GoU sent Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga, the first son of the President and Commander of the Land Forces in the National Army to represent and negotiate with the Rwandan President Paul Kagame. That says it all… and that’s brazen, if anything.

The National Resistance Movement, the State House and the whole “yes-men” will call it an achievement and proclaim whatever the son of the old man with the hat brings home. He could have brought stray-cats from Kigali and they would called him an environmentalist. However, there is no joint-communique or joint statement on the matter. None of the parties have let out much information, if any of substance.

Rwandan Government friendly press New Times states this about the meeting: “Details of the meeting between the two were not immediately made public but the Office of the President described the talks as cordial and productive. “President Kagame and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba had cordial, productive and forward looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda,” according to Presidency” (Edwin Ashimwe – ‘Kagame, Gen. Muhoozi discuss mending Rwanda-Uganda ties’ 23.01.2022, New Times Rwanda).

While the Ugandan Newspaper Daily Monitor reported this: “However, following his one-day working visit to Rwanda on Saturday to meet President Paul Kagame in what seems to mark warming relations between the neighbouring countries after years of tension, Lt Gen Kainerugaba who doubles as UPDF Commander Land Forces said Pte Arinda had been released” (Job Bwire – ‘Rwanda releases SFC soldier after Muhoozi’s visit’ 22.01.2022, Daily Monitor Uganda).

This shows that both nations are happy with the meeting, but the ties are not totally mended. We know the Rwandan government have come with clear stipulations to open up border and get back on good terms. However, even with the former meetings and negotiations it hasn’t gotten further.

What is only proof of goodwill is the return of a Ugandan repatriated after being arrested a few month ago. The challenge now… is to use the momentum and continue the talks. Since, the parties and neither state has shown true progress. If there was any progression, the would be a written communique or a statement saying something. There would be a possible Memorandum of Understanding to work to a new diplomatic agreement. However, that seems far away…

The first son can bring home a soldier, which has belonged to a unit and outfit, which he used to be commander of. Therefore, he can boost his ego and make himself look smart. However, that meant nothing to Kagame. Only a few positive headlines, which he didn’t pay anything for. While he gave no way or indicated for changes. As the stalemate and tensions aren’t resolved. That’s because the parties, presidents and authorities haven’t given way to each other.

Lt. Gen. Muhoozi wants to be seen as a diplomat and politician, capable of the big-league, but this meeting hasn’t proven that. The only thing this has proven, is that he can take a few snaps and return home nearly empty-handed. The release of a SFC soldier isn’t anything in the greater scheme of things. There been people wrongly arrested on both sides of the dispute, which has been dumped on the borders to return home. That has been the practice of both parties over the last few years and this isn’t changing anytime soon. Especially, when anyone becomes a dissident in Kampala, they are easily being maligned to counter espionage for Kigali. So, as long as this is happening. We know the things aren’t changing or becoming for the better.

Muhoozi couldn’t win this one and Kagame wouldn’t let him either. That would infuriate the elites and be a shallow one. Therefore, maybe it was for the better, that they only got a token of goodwill and the real diplomats can resolve the issues between them. Since, this was just a publicity stunt to boost the ego of an aspiring son of the President for Life in Kampala. Peace.

Opinion: M23 – when the origins come home to roost

The origin of the “Mouvement du 23 Mars – The M23 Movement” or M23 for short isn’t a long one and neither is it a tale of bravery. No, it was joint venture from two parties who was willing to fight a war and cause insurgency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 was an able body and a well-funded militia from both Kigali and Kampala. They both supported, trained and gave weapons to the fighters battling inside the DRC.

So, that the M23 returns and causes havoc. Then the eyes return to those capitals. Especially, Kampala, as the Ugandan counterpart has had several of soldiers, leaders and contained them for years now. While the M23 claims they never left. However, leaders have been in “exile” in both Uganda and Rwanda since the Nairobi Accords was signed.

Now, that there is meeting between the FARDC and RDF you know they are monitoring and looking over the situation. While the Ugandan counterparts dismisses everything and claims its propaganda. However, both Kampala and Kigali have created M23, and they must take responsibility for it. No matter what happens and when there are reports of helping hands to support the resurgence. There will be even more speculation into who did what and where.

The talks between Kigali and Kinshasa are a smart move of the Rwandese government. Though they can never downplay the origin or the grand support it gave before. The M23 wouldn’t be what it was without them and neither the support from the Ugandan government either. Them both have helped both the leaders and the militia fighters in time of need. They have given military and strategic support, which cannot be questioned now.

The M23 militia and armed insurgency will forever linger back to Kigali and Kampala. Even if the UPDF/CMI has sponsored the for the moment and given way to transport combatants this time around. Therefore, the bloodstains and the general support will forever be part of history of this group.

The M23 can say they were always there and never ceased to exist. That might be true, but they weren’t strong and suddenly an issue before someone gave them more power and ammunition. That is just a mere reality, as well, as suddenly seeing commanders and combatants coming in groups across the borders. The ones who were contained and in a camp within another state’s territory. Therefore, it had to be planned, organized, and funded to do so now. Years after the previous attempts and insurgencies.

M23 will be a wrecking-ball and be an issue for a long time. As long as it has backers and has sponsors for their machine. They cannot just linger on and not have someone supporting it. That is just a mere fact… for the FARDC and government of North-Kivu it is the same who supports and funds the operations. If they cause pain and suffering, uses military might and force. It will be the same results and damage done. That will not change and only the calendar year is changing. Peace.