Some people call him a dictator, an authoritative leader and an abuser of human rights but for others Paul Kagame is a strong leader who is not afraid to get things done. Under his strict rule, he transformed Rwanda from what it was after the 1994 genocide which killed more than a million Tutsi and moderate Hutus into an East African powerhouse. Think about the fact that the first made-in-Africa smartphone comes from Rwanda, Women make up 50 percent of the cabinet and it is one of the African countries with the best and cheapest internet infrastructure. Rwanda has seriously made a lot of progress and is still making progress and it’s all thanks to President Paul Kagame. One other thing Rwanda’s president has is the ability to unashamedly and unapologetically speak his mind especially when it comes to Western Neocolonialism. Countless times during interviews or summits, he never fails to call out the West on their attitude and shut them down. He is indeed a powerful African voice. Here are 7 times Paul Kagame shut the West all the way down:
Number one: We are Not People to Be Belittled!”
In a speech in which he criticized the BBC’s “politics” as well as the “lies” and “hypocrisy” of much of the Western media’s coverage of the African continent, the President stated that the West often takes an authoritative stance concerning Africa, telling Africans what they should be and do. Criticizing this attitude, he added that “Some of us have struggled for our liberties since we were children. These folks who are just running around can’t impose their culture on others. They aren’t modest. They believe they are superior to everyone. But it is not from God. We were all made equal by God. We will never apologise for defending our rights! And there are no better people in our country to handle our issues than we are.” In essence, he was saying that the West should stop feeling as if they are superior to everybody. They do not have the right to tell Africans what to do and how to act.
Number two: How About Those In Your Country Who Committed Crimes in My Country?”
How is “universal jurisdiction” universal if it is only one way? This was the question that President Paul calmly asked in response to a French Judge who intended to try Rwandans in France in a one-sided power play, without recognizing crimes committed by French residents in Rwanda during the country’s genocide. The West including France and the USA have committed so many crimes in the past, crimes against humanity but they have not been prosecuted for it. However, they are the same people who would want to prosecute others for what they perceive as wrong.
Number three: . “Africa Does Not Need Adult Supervision!”
During a meeting attended by numerous high-ranking officials to discuss Afro-Euro relations, President Kagame criticized the condescending and patronizing approach to African countries as a means of dictating and controlling policies and international accords. He said The attitude of adult supervision needs to be left in the past. Rights and wrongs can be found everywhere. We must resist the temptation to reduce Africa to blanket judgments and generalisations. There cannot be a partnership of mutual respect when one party lacks values while the other party is a fully-formed moral agent” Kagame then told the European leaders present that what Africa needs is fair trade instead of a misplaced or misguided sense of parental authority. What a sensational leader!
Number four: Africa and Rwanda Decide What We Want for Ourselves Going Forward”
In this interview, criticized the manipulative policies used to control African states under the cover of trade agreements and development. He gave an example of how Rwanda was punished” by the US for attempting to expand economically through its textile sector, which would allow it to become less reliant on the purchase of second-hand garments sold from the US. He also mentioned the United States’ public refusal to refer to the “genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi” for still-undisclosed reasons.
“Imagine the powerful United States as it is and it is arguing over this non-issue that has been sorted out at the UN. We cannot understand what is behind it or who benefits from it. This creates an atmosphere of unpredictability and this is how it becomes therefore difficult for Rwanda to predict what is going to happen in terms of the relationship. We suffer from one fact that there is so much talk about sovereignty and you found out that we do not qualify for these sovereign rights. Every other person wants to decide for Rwanda and Africa. The best thing is to let Africa and Rwanda be partners with powerful, developed countries.”
Number five: These Are Our Human Rights. Who Are You?”
The West is very good at talking about human rights and the protection of human rights. However, the no-nonsense president, Paul Kagame blasted the European Union saying that they are in a position to define what “human rights” are and should look like for Africans and Africa. He stated unequivocally that human rights in Africa belong to Africans and are not for anyone else to claim or dictate, as Africans have been — and continue to be — fighting for human rights from Western entities in many ways and facets of life, and understand the true meaning of this fight better than anyone else. In his own words “You really need to stop this superiority complex nonsense about human rights. You think you are the only ones who respect human rights while for others it is about liberating human rights. No, we fought for human rights and freedoms for our people much better and more than anyone — including the people who keep talking about this nonsense.”
Number six: “Some People Accuse Others of Doing Things That They Do Even More”
After receiving a letter from the British Prime Minister accusing Rwanda of human rights violations, the Rwandan president took a tough stance against Western foreign intervention in continental matters while casually disregarding difficulties – at times far worse — in their own country. “I think it is wrong. These people were here talking about concerns they have about justice for people. Don’t you think the first place where they should have taken their concerns is within their own system? You are concerned about justice, How about justice for the people in Rwanda who were killed during the genocide and the people who were part of it directly — not directly, are sitting there in your country where you are protecting and where I think they have been given residence or citizenship.”
Number seven: There is No way I can Allow Anybody to Lower My value to That Level”
The president with a frank tongue contradicted a US official who said that China is the sole country exploiting Africa. He didn’t hold back stating that “Some of the friends we deal with in the West. They come with this mindset that Africa is indifferent to human rights, to democracy, to freedom so they come to do it for us. Or to tell you that you should be doing it on their demands. And we are saying, ‘No.’ We as human beings. No human being anywhere would want to live by dictates by someone else. My understanding is that we are all human beings.”
These are just a few times out of the many times that President Kagame has blasted the West calling out their hypocrisy and Neocolonialism. Paul Kagame has indeed distinguished himself as an exceptional African leader who, despite the many criticisms about him, has chosen to do what he feels is right for his country. And today, Rwanda is experiencing the fruits of his leadership. He may be a dictator but he is a benevolent and an unselfish one who is working for the good of his people. Kudos to President Paul Kagame.
What are your thoughts? Do leave your comments down below and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video.