On May 18, 2013 President Paul Kagame of Rwanda was invited
to Oxford University by a student organization at the Business School. Upon his arrival he was “greeted” with
Rwandese and Congolese protestors throwing eggs and horse manure from the
mounted police horses at his presidential caravan. According to Inyenyeri
News[1]
who interviewed some of his European Ambassadors, Kagame was not only furious
about this incident, he was surprised that this would even happen to such a
person as himself.
That being the case, what follows is a list of statements
and questions that I propose to President Kagame. Do I expect an answer? No. In fact, I expect his minions to
do his dirty work for him and follow the script of calling me a “hater,” a
“liar,” a “genocide denier,” and possibly follow all that with veiled or even
overt threats. This is nothing new. When one challenges President Kagame, it is
as if one challenges God and all of God’s worshippers come out en masse to
declare heresy. However, the case
is proven, the jury is out. Kagame is guilty as charged.[2]
Before I begin, let my intentions be clear. I do not wish to
see President Kagame’s head on a platter.
I wish only peace in the Great Lakes Region. I do not wish violence upon
Kagame, I only wish that he repent from his murderous ways and allow the rule
of law to take its course.
FIRST: In Rwanda, tribal identity is now illegal. It is illegal to be a Hutu, a Tutsi, or
a Twa. All are Rwandans. If that is the case, President Kagame,
I ask you, why do you call the Genocide of 1994, “The Genocide of the
Tutsis?” It is a known fact that
all tribes suffered unspeakable horrors.
It is also true that the Tutsis suffered the most, but in such a
shameful event, how can you single out one tribe and say that they are the sole
victims? In a Twitter
conversation, your own First Advisor to the UN Oliver Nduhungirehe confirmed
that even Hutus were killed in the Genocide. Why do you not allow ALL Rwandans
to mourn and unite over this horrible event?
SECOND: President Kagame, why is dissention silenced in
Rwanda? Why do you immediately charge opponents with a crime and lock them in
prison? Why is Victore Ingabire in prison when the majority of charges against
her have been proven to be lies? Why is she in prison when she only stated the
truth about the Genocide of 1994 – that all Rwandans suffered? Are you so
insecure with yourself that you must silence all dissent?
THIRD: President Kagame, do you have no regard for human
life? In an interview with Time Magazine[3], you mentioned dissident General Kayumba
Nyamwasa who is in exile in South Africa who had two assassination attempts
made against him. In your words,
you claim he wanted to carry out a coup.
While I cannot confirm nor deny that, I will accept your claim. You then go on to say, “…and later on
he is shot, maybe he deserves it?”
Are you implying that you have Hit Squads in foreign countries? Are you
implying that you do not believe in trial before sentencing? Concerning the
death of former President Juvinal
Habyarimana, you stated “I am not responsible for Habyarimana’s death and I don’t care (emphasis is my own).”
However, your former Secretary General, Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa has claimed
that you personally ordered the shooting down of Habyarimana’s airplane killing
both him and the leader of Burundi.[4]
FOURTH: As you know, the shooting down of Habyarimana’s
plane set of the 1994 Genocide. There are reasons to believe that you did so
intentionally so that you could come in as “hero.” You could cause the Hutus to
rage, sacrifice your own people, and come in as Tutsi hero. But, since coming
to power, you have twice invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo in search
of the Genocidaires (those who have committed Genocide). Continuing on the same lines as question
number three, if you, President Kagame, were searching for genocidaires, why
did you order the killing of entire refugee camps (men, women, and children –
elderly and young)? There is enough documented evidence to prove that this is
true in the Mapping Report.
FIFTH: I will now move away from the past and come to more
present situations. Though you deny involvement with the M23 Militia, the Group
of Experts report which has been accepted by the United Nations proves your
Government’s responsibility. Whether
you personally knew or not is immaterial.
As the American saying goes, “the captain always goes down with the
ship.” You are responsible for the actions of your ministers and members of
your government. It is true that
the Congo has many more problems than just M23, and it would be unfair to say
that you are the sole cause of Congo’s problems. However, it would not be
unfair to say that you have exploited Congo’s problems. Why would you not work to strengthen
your neighbor? A strong Congo would mean a stronger Rwanda.
SIXTH: President Kagame, why do you insist on Rwanda Day
being celebrated in a city in a foreign nation around the world each year? Patriotism is not a bad thing. Rwandans
should hopefully be proud of being Rwandan. But first, they must have a leader
worth being proud of having. Your staged performances at Rwanda Day may look
flawless to you, but to the educated, they only look silly. When a charismatic
leader such as yourself comes on stage and is greeted by enthusiastic cheers, gives
a flawless speech, and then is asked questions only to bolster his ego, my
internal dictator alarm goes off.
I am reminded of Hitler’s Rallies where people were forced to
participate or face certain death.
I am reminded of the recent death of Kim Jung Il of North Korea. The
people openly wailed in the street, but how much was genuine? There was the
obvious unspoken subtext that “if you don’t cry now, you’ll be crying
later!” Is that truly the legacy
you want, President Kagame?
SEVENTH: When the protestors on your way to Oxford threw
eggs and horse manure at you, were you truly surprised? Think of the harm you
have done to this world. Think of the chances for peace when you have chosen
war. Think of the chances for mercy when you have chosen to kill. Why, President Kagame, were you so
furious with your European Ambassadors as was printed in the Inyenyeri News? Did they create this
image? Or are you deeply disturbed by yourself and the monster you’ve become?
TO THE LEADERS OF THE WORLD: Knowing all of this, how can
any of you continue to support this bloodthirsty dictator? To my own President
Obama – How long will we live in denial? You and Ambassador Rice have left
thousands of questions and letters unanswered (including my own). You claim that America supports
freedom, but each day that I see the news – Guantanamo Bay, Drones, Afghanistan,
Iraq, and Kagame, I question your integrity each day.
I will conclude here.
These are questions to which I would like serious answers. These answers are not for myself, but
they are for the beautiful people of the Great Lakes Region of Africa. These people deserve lives of peace and
respect. The do not deserve to live in fear and shame. President Kagame, you can change all of
this. Your honesty can be a
vehicle for serious change which will not hurt Rwanda one bit economically or
socially. President Kagame, the
ball is in your court.
[1] http://www.inyenyerinews.org/politiki/behind-the-presidential-curtains-the-strongest-man-of-africa-left-with-egg-on-his-face/
[2] See the
following United Nations Documents for proof of Kagame’s murderous guilt: The
Mapping Report of the Democratic Repubilc of the Congo (http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/pdf/mapping_report_en.pdf),
The Group of Experts Report to the United
Nations (http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2012/843)
[3] http://world.time.com/2012/09/14/qa-rwandan-president-paul-kagame/6/
[4] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15165641
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