
Iam currently in Rwanda witnessing their presidential election campaign. The campaign lacks the usual drama of many African general elections: the rallies of opposition candidates are not broken up by the police, their supporters are not beaten by private militias, candidates do not appeal to ethnic sentiments to garner votes and there is no bribery of voters with sugar, soap, salt and alcohol. Candidates address issues like education, health, access to clean water, agriculture, youth affairs, infrastructure and women’s rights.
All the candidates are strong and seasoned politicians: President Paul Kagame (Tutsi) is the clearly the strongest standing on the ticket of the RPF. His main challenger, Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo (Hutu), is the deputy speaker of the chamber of deputies (parliament) and a candidate for one of the oldest political parties in Rwanda, the PSD. It is also the second largest political party in the country. Campaigning for him is the leader of PSD, Dr. Vincent Biruta (Tutsi) and president of the Senate.
The third candidate is Prosper Higiro (Tutsi) survivor of genocide and deputy president of Senate. Finally is Alvera Mukabarama (Hutu) presenting PPC; she is senator and a former presidential candidate in the 2003 election. Mukabarama pulled out of the race in favour of Kagame protesting former candidate Faustin Twagiramungu’s strategy of appealing to ethnicity to garner votes in a country that needed unity. All the candidates agree that ethnicity should not be the basis of the election.
Under the law, every candidate is supposed to be given equal time in publicly owned media. Uncharacteristic of the general African pattern, this rule is enforced to the letter. In the government owned Kinyarwanda newspaper, all candidates appear on the front page. On television and radio, all candidates are given equal time. Even in the pro-RPF newspaper, The New Times, all candidates have equitable space for their campaigns and programmes.
The dominant section of the Western media, armed with a set of assumptions and prejudices about Africa, find it difficult to accept this. How can Africans campaign on issues other than tribe? How can electoral competition be devoid of violence and bribery? Because the reality does not fit their prejudices, they conclude that something must be wrong. So they run around trying to find anyone who can tell them something that will confirm their prejudices. Often, they find a representative of the extremist fringe of the Rwandan politics. He/she immediately becomes the “respected expert.â€
The “real†candidate for such journalists should have been a Victoire Ingabire, whose only ticket was ethnicity. For then, her campaign would have fulfilled their expectations of an election in Africa. A “genuine†Rwandan election is one where Hutu would be pitted against Tutsi and the two sides would quarrel bitterly about primordial ethnic hatreds. In the midst of trading these accusations, tempers would flare and violence would erupt.
In the context of a weak state, anarchy would spread. The Western journalist would finally have had the election she was looking for. As violence spreads, the journalist would call for international help to save “Africans†from their tribal feuds and their venal rulers. The humanitarian groups would sing the chorus. The image of Africa as a failed continent that needs outsiders to save it would be restored. Previously the strongest supporter of free and unfettered freedom of speech and competition, now the same journalist would turn around and write about how Africans are incapable of managing democracy. Soon academics, again from the West, would publish “research†showing how democracy in Africa leads to violence and state collapse.
A small but noisy section of the African elite, unable to question this stereotyping of our politics, disregarding the specificity of our context and suffering from intellectual laziness, sing the chorus of the master. This elite class does not see that Western journalists and academics come with a set of general assumptions (and prejudices) about Africa. They also have a set of principles about politics drawn from their own context. They try to superimpose these on our countries in complete disregard to the unique features of our societies. It is these ignorant assumptions that find popular expression among African elites.
As I have traversed villages and towns attending campaigns, interviewing ordinary people who turn up for these rallies, I have been impressed by the Rwandan people and their leaders. The people have said “NO†to the demons of the past and refused to be diverted by those who preach hatred and division. The leaders have refused to resort to ethnic appeals too. Most voters I talked to agree that for now, government should ban those politicians who seek to use ethnicity as a platform for elections.
However, Western media and their cheer leaders in Africa dismiss these candidates as if they are not in the campaign. The dominant section of Western media is still stuck with Ingabire because she represented what they want to see in Africa – an ethnically based campaign. Powerful opposition politicians in Rwanda with experience, stature and entrenched political parties like Ntawukuriryayo and Biruta are treated as if they do not exist. There may be issues of an ethnic nature that need to be legitimately debated. But the country is still trying to recover from this kind of politics that contributed with such vengeance to the fragmentation of this society and enabled those seeking genocide to easily gain and exercise control over this country.
It is an experiment whose future we cannot easily foretell. But for now, many Rwandans across the ethnic and political divide believe these restrictions against ethnic politics are necessary to promote harmony in a country where ethnic politics led to genocide. For now we can see the consolidation of a politics based on public service where Rwandans are citizens not clients. It may not be possible for Rwanda to banish the demons of ethnic hatred in a generation.
However, what is needed is to build a strong state capable of resisting these centrifugal forces, promote public service and economic growth. We can hope that as more people go to school, their incomes increase and society transforms, issues-based politics can consolidate and supersede ethnicity.
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written by J Dean, August 10, 2010
written by Simon, August 10, 2010
you are simply corrupted. Time will came , you and Kagame will be history, you will both face the justice.
there is a lot of stories to cover in Uganda; why Rwanda? stop thinking that you are a specialist about Rwanda, you don't know what i going on in Rwanda and you will never know because you are corrupted. so please try to help your country who needs you and lets rwandans resolve their problems.
there is no good in blood money. you will only leave a face of a corrupted journalist for the generation to come.
written by lwooga matat, August 10, 2010
Mwenda abnyarwanda olumu bajja kutta baveeko
written by lwooga matat, August 10, 2010
Mwenda abnyarwanda olumu bajja kutta baveeko
written by V. Ben, August 10, 2010
written by Kampaalan, August 10, 2010
A blooming half-hearted pseudo-democrat, Kagame earned this trophy by silencing opponents, dispatching others into forced exile, jailing promising patriots, and promoting myths of democracy via “dead-end” party organizations. In this, he has handed the presidency to himself.
The scare tactic evident in this election, of excluding political opponents by smearing them with Rwanda’s genocidal past is profitable in the ephemeral political span. In the long-run though, even Kagame must allow that its persistent use may steer Rwanda to its ugly past.
written by geofrey, August 10, 2010
written by geofrey, August 10, 2010
written by Jude, August 10, 2010
I think that journalism is not only about criticizing, but giving credit where due.
Thanks Mwenda for the good work.
written by Kabale Davidson, August 10, 2010
written by Kabale Davidson, August 10, 2010
written by Apophis, August 10, 2010
written by Jude, August 11, 2010
written by Jim, August 11, 2010
written by ndembo, August 11, 2010
reactors like simon, lwooga mafuti and others critical of mwenda's should know thatMwneda is writing from Kigali on what he has observed. To be objective in criticizing him, one would have been on the ground not just to sit in Kampala and wait to reflect what you are used to. Kibokos, black mambas and harassment of opposition. Rwanda has outgrown that and it is time for Africans to discuss issues and not to sit lazily to a wait soap and sugar from campaigners. In one of the Ugandan dialects, they say: "AKARUNGI KETUNDA". This answers the victory of Kagame. God bless Africa, god bless Rwanda, God bless Kagame, God be blessed for RPF in your Rwanda. Imana yirirwa ahandi igataha i Rwanda= Very TRUE!!!
written by Big Daddy, August 11, 2010
To hell with his forecasts on Rwanda's future. Rwanda is better off without the confusion which Filip had created under the discriminatory constitution he had helped create during the tyranny of Habyarimana.
Way to go Paul. Kagame Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Rwanda Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Let the sceptics vanish in anguish and shame.
written by Poe, August 11, 2010
If you were Rwandese, do you think you would be able to work as a journalist under the Kagame regime?
written by Poe, August 11, 2010
If you were Rwandese, do you think you would be able to work as a journalist under the Kagame regime?
written by Poe, August 11, 2010
If you were Rwandese, do you think you would be able to work as a journalist under the Kagame regime?
written by Muringe , August 11, 2010
Urakarame Peresida, imana ikongere ubuzima n’ubwenge kugeza urwanda rwa gasabo mu vision 2020.
written by Asiimwe, August 11, 2010
Long live mr. president.
written by Asiimwe, August 11, 2010
written by Asiimwe, August 11, 2010
Once gain, Long Live Mr. President.
written by Mupenzi, August 11, 2010
Ha ha ha ha ha muswade mufe ku midaala gya mwe, please first solve yo own probs otherwise for Rwanda we are very happy.
Igihugu kya mata nu buki
Longlive Kagame, Longlive Rwanda
written by Kagome, August 11, 2010
written by WALUBEMBE JONAH, August 11, 2010
written by WALUBEMBE JONAH, August 11, 2010
written by Birgit, August 11, 2010
Mr. Mwenda, I appreciate you took the trouble travelling to Rwanda for observing the elections on the spot.
Unfortunately you disappointed your readers this time.
Be honest, there is no ideal state on earth - nor in Asia neither in Africa or the west. Nevertheless you want us to believe, Rwanda is 'paradise' where everything is working the right way - economy, education, health and democracy as well.
93 % votes for Kagame. Excuse me, but history never saw such a result in any democracy.
written by Birgit, August 11, 2010
This time there seems to be a blind spot in your journalistic eye.
You accuse western journalists for putting their assumptions and prejudices on Africa into the content of their articles.. But obviously you behaved somehow similar ? Maybe, you noticed what you wanted to see ?
Reading through the press, one can find several articles by journalists - African as well as Western - who easily separate the issues. They praise the achievements made in Rwanda so far, but at the same time they also point out the current lack of democracy.
What is wrong about it ?
This kind of fair awareness is a crucial part of the long process to achieve a state as close as possible to 'paradise'.
written by Fred, August 11, 2010
Mr. Mwenda, I look forward your real analysis of Rwanda (postive and Negative) Surely you don't beleive Kagame or Rwanda for that matter are perfect.
written by ndembo, August 11, 2010
written by sano, August 11, 2010
Thank you President Kagame for what you have done for our Country,
from east, west, north, south, women, men, youth, elders.
you guys who write all kind of rubbishes, plz give us a break, mind your own business,
we know where we came from and where we are today. we know better what is good for our county.
May Almighty God bless our President Kagame, our country Rwanda, All Rwandese & friends of Rwanda.
Tugire amahoro iwacu i Rwanda, iterambere mu gihugu cyanu ndetse no kuri buri munyarwanda wese.
written by JIM, August 11, 2010
written by Bob Kabaziguruka, August 11, 2010
With only RPF observers at the polling stations, imagine if one was to have a look at your ballot only to find you had voted incorrectly.
written by Nzamuhimbaza, August 11, 2010
Tell those who don’t believe in what you are saying to go to Rwanda and see how impressive and calm is Rwanda. I really understand and pity those who hardly believe Rwandan elections were free and fair! What happens in Rwanda is very rare in African countries, so, don’t blame them much for not believing what Mwenda tells them, however their ignorance doesn’t exempt them from learning the truth.
written by Nzamuhimbaza, August 11, 2010
written by Nzamuhimbaza, August 11, 2010
written by Nzamuhimbaza, August 11, 2010
written by gafabusa, August 11, 2010
written by Mupenzi, August 11, 2010
written by gafabusa, August 11, 2010
written by DAVID, August 11, 2010
written by Ocheto, August 11, 2010
written by nshuti, August 11, 2010
written by Stephen Twinoburyo, August 11, 2010
http://ugandaspeaks.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/mr-mwenda-your-article-on-rwanda-is-heavily-one-sided-and-probably-compromised/
written by simon, August 11, 2010
during Hitler's regime roads were constructed and Germany achieved a lot of goals but that didn't stop Hitler to be the worst dictator of our time.open your eyes and save Rwanda when you still have time unless we will end-up in an other political crisis.
written by ndembo, August 11, 2010
written by Eric, August 12, 2010
the future will speak to your critics...
professionalism is not just about hating Kagame and misreporting the facts on the ground..
I am very supportive of your articles.
It's now common that when someone reports about Rwanda and Kagame in a positive way, he becomes unprofessional journalist, corrupted and so on ..
But facts are there, results are there , New Rwanda and Kagame suppoters are so many.
The mass support of Kagame is about results, a job well done beyond our expectations.
Those who critisize him have the right to do so but they have to put into account that we are millions of rwandans and friends of Rwanda who support him in recognition of his accomplishments..
Long live to Paul Kagame, our beloved visionnary leader....
written by Fred Byekwaso, August 12, 2010
written by munyarwanda2010@gmail.com, August 12, 2010
written by munyarwanda2010@gmail.com, August 12, 2010
and if you are jalouss it is working here, get a life, or wait 7 years, and outsource him to run your "democratic bad in shape and confused country". That is my advise to you! yes you who being political correct and think your view is more important/valuable than the one of 92% of Rwandan who voted.
written by munyarwanda2010@gmail.com, August 12, 2010
I love my country and Long live to PK and he is taking me with his vision.
You want to know about democracy: come watch and learn
PS: I am in Kagame Pocket, I voted for HIM> deal with it or debate with me via email
written by munyarwanda2010@gmail.com, August 12, 2010
Let agree to desagree that in some case people can share the same view of things if they are in the same environment. Rwanda is a nice country and those who dont understand the current Rwanda are the one not in it.
Advise:
Come to Rwanda you will love the people and the country. And then, U can start the process of requesting the nationality and wishing you had it on the 09/07/2010 and had voted for PK
written by Rwagasabo, August 12, 2010
written by Ocheto, August 12, 2010
written by Frank Zaga, August 12, 2010
We did not become a failed state, we are not and we will not be so as long as HE P Kagame is alive.
I think we Rwandans should hold your views in contempt and even trash them coz they are not constructive at all. We cast our votes and you are there blowing yr mega phones. But 4who, and why in the first place bcoz you are no one's mouth piece. That is why Africa needs prayers.
written by King, August 12, 2010
written by Moses, August 12, 2010
I loathe vain arguments and so, to put it simply, anyone that thought Africans cannot tell right from wrong or find the ability to look beyond petty idiocy and deal with real issues should visit Rwanda. I also invite every African to gracefully applaud Rwanda and humbly pick a leaf.
God bless Rwanda!!!
written by Margaret S. Maringa, August 12, 2010
And you wil find yourself sitting next to old Balaam -- shouting the impossible -- gushing admiration and blessings upon your favourite scapegoats !!!!!!!!
Yes sireeeeee ...........that comical day is surely coming soon.................without delay.
written by Kagame, August 12, 2010
written by Kagame, August 12, 2010
written by ndembo, August 12, 2010
written by Stephen Twinoburyo, August 12, 2010
http://ugandaspeaks.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/mr-mwenda-your-article-on-rwanda-is-heavily-one-sided-and-probably-compromised/
written by Ocheto, August 12, 2010
written by JIM, August 12, 2010
written by aderonke kamanzi, August 12, 2010
But why still refer to Rwandans as Tutsi and Hutu by listing the respective candidates and ethnicities...Nowhere and at no time did these candidates refer to themselves as such!! your article itself says they did not appeal to ethnic sentiments.....
written by omuzinyi, August 12, 2010
What has gotten into Mwenda's ego to now attack and question the credibility of the world's most independent sources for news and information from around the world?
written by Isaac, August 12, 2010
written by ndembo, August 13, 2010
written by Dian Kennath, August 13, 2010
written by Mac Leo, August 13, 2010
Thank you kagame
written by Nzamuhimbaza, August 16, 2010
Could you give your analysis about how Kagame was voted by Rwandans in Diaspora. I think your analysis won’t be biased as you have not been though skeptics like Simon would wish you illusion than reality. Let Rwandan diaspora voting give true picture to those who doubt Kagame's victory. Believe environment was much secure for them, observers were many, and their expectations were huge. Hopefully they were greatly surprised! Rwandans like Simon (if he is a Rwandan anyway) why don’t you move from your closed box and see reality? Long llive Mzee Kagame.
written by Rwakaikara, August 16, 2010
written by Jimmy Byaks, August 17, 2010
You need to be objective in your reporting. I have been your admirer since your time of Andrew Mwend Alive on KFM, but your disapointing in your analysis of the Rwanda's elections. You choose to draw a picture as though Rwanda is the only best parctice site for democrasy in Africa and leave any areas where Rwanda has room for improvement. Yo need to look at both sides of the coin as an investigative Jounoulist and not just a mouth peace for president Kagame. Mwenda wake up.
written by Cyomoro, August 20, 2010
it has no natural resources. The only thing Rwandese should practice and promote
is democracy and good governance. Above 90% of election victory is not the sole
definition of democracy.Democracy is more than that. All the events that
happened in Rwanda prior to elections prove my point. Western politicians,
jounalists, Tv archors and radio presenters can talk about Rwanda situation as
they see fit because their governments buy rights when they finance Rwanda's
budget . It's unfortunate that Rwanda uses foreign taxpayers money to pay for
Mwenda's biased PR, assasins, politician exotic abroad visits and so forth.
written by Rwanda Redemption Army, August 20, 2010
MWENDA, PLEASE KEEP OFF RWANDA AS NEXT TIME WE WON'T WARN YOU!!!
written by fidele rugabo, August 23, 2010
written by Frank Zaga, August 26, 2010
written by Asaph Mark, August 27, 2010







