Rwanda will need no aid in 10 years – says Kagame

President Kagame tours a large banana plantation in Gatsibo district, Eastern Province, in April 2012, accompanied by the owner (right) and government officials (Photo: PPU)

President Paul Kagame has said depending on aid forever is not a life Rwandans or “anybody deserves to live, a life that is controlled by somebody else or somewhere else” – vowing to wean the country from it whatever it will take.

“…looking at where we have come from, in another 10 years we should be close to that,” said Kagame in a wide ranging interview with TIME magazine. “I can’t put a clear date on it…. We won’t have achieved it but I think we will be very close. As I said, we are stronger every day.”

Mr Kagame said a Rwanda without aid “not only makes people more independent, it actually puts them in a position where they are stronger in their beliefs, committed to them, and more advanced in things they demand of us.”

The TIME magazine interview covered a range of issues including DRC and the First Family. The interview was done at different times here in Kigali at the Presidents home, the office and on the sidelines of the ICGLR Heads of State summit in Kampala last month. The President is currently finalizing a world tour which took him to Asia this week.

The President’s comments on aid also come following the establishment of the Agaciro Development Fund in which Rwandans from all walks of life have contributed money that will be used on development programs. So far, estimates suggest in the three weeks alone, the Fund has attracted more than Rwf 17.1 billion – and still counting.

Coincidentally though, the Fund came amid donor decisions to suspend development support to Rwanda on account of alleged support for Congolese rebels. There have been suggestions the Fund was established to cover up for the lost funding. However, this is not true. The Fund has been in the making for more than four years.

Reacting to the donor withdraws, President Kagame said in the TIME magazine interview: “There has been much excitement in the media. But it’s suspension of nothing, really.”

“The Americans suspended $200,000. And the media blows it up and says: “America has turned against Rwanda.” There is jubilation. They wanted to give the world the impression. “We have got Rwanda where we wanted it.” But it’s not true. It’s $200,000 for one year. This is really silly.”

In surprise comments, the President said: “In fact, this is money that they owe us because for two sequential years they did not pay us. It’s really ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, individuals, groups of people, communities, institutions and both public and private organizations have continued to make their pledges to the Agaciro Fund every single day. The contributions towards this fund will be continuous into the years ahead and the core objective is to achieve independence.

According to Kagame, the progress of the fund depends on Rwandans and so far the participation of residents is promising.  “This is just self-generated by Rwandans across the world. It shows you, even if it does not promise much money, the idea is something interesting,” said Kagame.

Read more »

Kagame: Is It Strange For Rwanda To Have “Economic Interests” In DR Congo?

President Kagame holds bilateral meeting with President Kabila on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, 15 July 2012 (Photo : PPU)

When the Chinese or Americans have companies in DR Congo making deals; that is fine for the world to live with. Similarly, can’t Rwandan individuals and companies have the right to take part without Rwanda being accused? President Paul Kagame asks in a new interview: “How can we be guilty of that?”

Mr Kagame tells Time magazine if there are any Rwandans or their companies doing business in eastern DRC, there is nothing wrong with that. “What right do other companies from China, America and wherever have to be in Congo that companies from Rwanda do not have? There are companies there from all over the world,” wonders Kagame.

For years, media coverage and campaign groups have printed report after another highlighting how Rwanda is depending on DRC for its economy. UN reports have claimed minerals from eastern DRC are exported through Rwanda. Some quarters have pointed fingers directly at President Kagame and some individuals in the Rwanda government as profiteering from the DRC amid its chaos.

“The relationship between Congo and Rwanda has been there since time immemorial. Why has it suddenly become strange?” says Kagame. “There is a lot that goes on between us. It’s not about trade or smuggling. It’s a blood relationship. To say this is all about Rwanda’s business interests is very simplistic. People who go to do business in Congo do not have to ask me, just as people who come from Congo do not have to ask me.”

He added: “They are saying Bosco Ntaganda has a house in Kigali. So what? I don’t know anything about that. But I do know that there are ministers in Kabila’s government who also have houses here. Congolese investment here because it is safe here. We have a lot of foreigners coming here and building houses. Maybe, if you looked carefully, you would find that Kabila himself has a house here. I don’t know. But I would not be bothered. We do not differentiate when it comes to money unless it is money that you killed people for or money that is questionable. But if you invest here, what’s the problem?”

“Who’s making such accusations? The same people. They say: “That’s how Rwanda earns a living. By being in Congo.” And all along this – mobilizing support for their side, raising money for their campaign – it’s actually an economic interest for them. It’s actually how they make a living. So I don’t even understand the meaning of the accusation.”

President Kagame said Rwanda’s concern in DRC has been security for the last 18 years. “You are saying we’re interested because of economics. Deal with the security so that it does not exist and then we can all see what crimes we are committing in our economic interests,” said Kagame.

There are FDLR rebels in DRC – some of whom are wanted in Rwanda for executing the genocide and fleeing into the safety of the massive DRC forests.

He however admitted that not all players in the DRC conflict are to blame. He spoke about the Congolese rebel group M23, Human Rights Watch and why he works 24/7 to put his country back to normality. The President also speaks about the aid cuts, particularly saying the $200,000 suspended by the United States, was actually “money that they owe us because for two sequential years they did not pay us.”

 http://newsofrwanda.com/breaking/13588/kagame-strange-rwanda-economic-interests-dr-congo/

Read more »

Rwanda : BFA To Donate Books To NUR Law Faculty

Books for Africa (BFA) organization has pledged a donation of books to the National University of Rwanda Law Faculty worth $140, 000.

BFA came up with the donation in collaboration with Law and Democracy initiative and the Eric James Memorial Libraries.

The donation is made of books in the field of Law according to Dr Kimberly Harms, an official with Books for Africa.

Dr. Harms states that books may be one way of getting information on how to solve problems which resulted from 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

“We believe books can help scholars to read and find information which may contribute to the development of Africa”, said Dr Harms.

According to the Dean of Faculty of Law, Dr Emmanuel the shortage of books is among the major challenges that his faculty has been facing.

“This donation comes as a solution to this problem. We are very grateful for that,” said  Ugirashebuja.

After the donation ceremony, the delegation of Books for Africa with staff of the Faculty of Law held a discussion about justice in Rwanda specifically the Gacaca jurisdictions and legal system.

Books for Africa is the donor of library books to the African continent, shipping over 27 million books to 48 different countries since 1988.

In 2011, BFA sent 178 containers about 1.9 million books to 21 countries. Books for Africa launched the Law & Democracy Initiative to address the appalling scarcity of law and human rights books.

 http://newsofrwanda.com/ibikorwa/13597/rwanda-bfa-donate-books-nur-law-faculty/

Read more »

Rwanda : Nyaruguru District Plans Ahead Of Agricultural Season

The Governor of Rwanda’s Southern Province, Alphonse Munyantwali, has urged Nyaruguru district residents in Southern Rwanda, to work in cooperatives and use selected seeds and fertilizers more and more as a way of boosting productivity in the 2012-2013 agriculture season.

The Governor made the remarks on Thursday while addressing over 500 residents in Kibeho sector of Nyaruguru district, some minutes after a communal work along with the local population and some more from neighbouring Rusenge sector − a communal work which saw 20 hectares terrassed out of a total of 30 hectares upon which maize will be grown some days ahead.

“The secret to achieve development lies in teamwork”, Governor Munyantwali said in his interactive speech, sometimes directly handing the microphone over to some people in the audience to react to his remarks.

The Governor further urged those who haven’t yet joined cooperatives to do so, arguing, among others, that through cooperatives bank loans are easily secured and fertilizers to boost productivity easily accessible.

But it’s been the mere presence of top officials that did cross the minds of some people in the audience.

“I was very happy to see both the Governor and the Mayor cultivating along with me in our own fields”, said 30-year-old Janvière Mukashyaka, a resident of Kibeho sector.

According to Thomas Mbonyisenge, Nyaruguru district agronomist, it is going to be quite a tight schedule in the 2012-2013 agriculture season.

A total of 5,000 hectares of maize will be grown, and so will be 30,000 hectares of Irish potatoes. 30,000 hectares will be cultivated for beans to be grown on, 250 hectares for coffee, 400 hectares for tea, 6,000 hectares of wheat and 1,800 hectares of cassava – all of which will be grown in communal fields.

 http://newsofrwanda.com/featured2/13605/rwanda-nyaruguru-district-plans-agricultural-season/

Read more »

Rwanda | Ruhango: Government Sets Another Programme For Eradicating Drug Abuse

The program for eradicating drug abuse in Rwanda ‘Neighbors’ Eye’ locally known as (Ijisho ry’umuturanyi) with the help of local people watching each other’s back is set and has been appreciated by all people especially religious leaders who promise to support the move

Drugs are becoming a national problem and they are abused by many people especially youth but educators and religious leaders believe this program is going to fight this problem.

Michel Kaboyi the spokesperson of Ebenezer church in Rwanda said that this program of the neighbors’ eye is the country’s strength in eradicating drug usage. “We have been calling upon people to stop doing bad and evil things but now that we have government support, drugs will be completely eradicated in Rwanda.”

The fact that local people will be responsible in reporting people who use or sell drugs will make the program more effective said Jolie Germaine Mugeni the in charge of social affairs in Ruhango district.

This program will be operating in all administrative levels starting with village levels to district level and will be in operation for about 6 months.

 http://newsofrwanda.com/ibikorwa/13619/rwanda-ruhango-government-sets-programme-eradicating-drug-abuse/

Read more »

Kagame: “Permanent Aid Can Make A Person Become Useless”

President Kagame at Umuganda with residents of Nduba in Gasabo District, Kigali, 26 November 2011. The President says in the latest interview that the development of Rwanda is ultimate responsibility of Rwandans (Photo : PPU)

President Paul Kagame has given a rare interview to the prestigious Harvard International Reviewmagazine in which he reaffirms that China offers “a new choice for African nations” – and accuses the west of being “more concerned with themselves”.

Appearing in the latest issue of the magazine, the President’s comments come on the heels of a new investment deal with China and the establishment of sovereign fund that has raised some Rwf 15billion in two weeks. A visit to China this week by the President has yielded a $25m grant and numerous incentives for Rwandan exports to Chinese markets.

China offers “a new choice for African nations,” says Mr Kagame. “The Chinese certainly have a different view than the West. They are what they are. They have clear objectives; they do not export their values together with assistance. They make decisions faster.”Appearing in the latest issue of the magazine, the President’s comments come on the heels of a new investment deal with China and the establishment of sovereign fund that has raised some Rwf 15billion in two weeks. A visit to China this week by the President has yielded a $25m grant and numerous incentives for Rwandan exports to Chinese markets.

Answering in usually strong comments, the President says in comparison the west pretend to care more for Africans than the Africans themselves. “Some in the West think we are being fooled and they claim they are there to look after us, to warn us about the Chinese. I think they are more concerned with themselves,” said Kagame.

But even with Chinese cash and investments pouring into Rwanda, Mr Kagame says the ultimate decision about the development of Africa remains with the Africans. With particular reference to Rwanda, Kagame said: “No nation, even the ones who supported the genocide, owes us a favor.”

“I have said many times to our people, “Why should the taxpayers of another nation put food in our mouths and for how long?”…” said Kagame, also giving a rare insight into how his background has shaped his politics.

At the moment in Rwanda, Parliament has 56 percent female representation. Is that accidental, deliberate or politicking? President Kagame says women have always played a bigger role in Rwandan society.

“During the struggle to return to our country and to stop the genocide, women took very responsible positions in collecting information, fundraising, and even fighting,” said the president.

“But we don’t do these things because the world appreciates our gender equality policies. We do them because we could hardly fight for our freedom, and have women fight just as hard, and then deny them the rights to govern. We do it because we are working for development and prosperity, and leaving half our population out of this task just doesn’t make sense.”

On DRC Congo, where there is an ongoing international uproar over alleged Rwanda support to rebellions in the east of the country, President Kagame said “soon we will have long-lasting stability in our region.”

“You know, the violent history of Congo began long before I was born,” said Kagame. “It is a matter of public record that the royalty of Europe and the colonial powers decimated the people and stole their vast underground wealth for a century.”

However, the President said Rwanda was committed to being part of the solution to pacify DRC.

“However, we are working closely with the government of DRC to ensure that this threat is removed completely. We have also noticed a fresh spirit of cooperation from the international community to focus on the root cause of conflict in the DRC, and I am confident that soon we will have long-lasting stability in our region. This will allow us to focus on economic development, which is what our people want.”

Read full interview here: http://hir.harvard.edu/crafting-the-city/building-rwanda

http://newsofrwanda.com/breaking/13550/kagame-permanent-aid-person-useless/

Read more »

Be Part Of Rwanda’s Journey, Kagame Tells Hong Kong Business Community

President Kagame in Hong Kong

President Paul Kagame yesterday called upon the Hong Kong business community to come and be part of Rwanda and Africa’s revival journey.

The Head of State made the remarks at a luncheon hosted by members of the business community in Hong Kong to discuss the multiple business opportunities Rwanda has to offer.

“I invite you to be part of the revival of not only Rwanda but Africa. We want to look at change in the general context of the East African Community to which we belong and of Africa,” President Kagame said.

Members of the business community who were from a variety of fields including the banking, energy and media sector were keen to learn more about Rwanda’s business environment, its educational system and the opportunities for investment in energy.

Introducing President Kagame, Marc Holtzman who also sits on the board of directors of the Bank of Kigali referred to Rwanda as a miracle story and described President Kagame as “a man with the vision that transformed Rwanda.”

Holtzman explained that he first learned of Rwanda’s progress when President Kagame addressed the University of Denver during his time as President of the University in 2004.

It is then that his vision of Rwanda changed from a nation marked by genocide to one of admirable socio-economic transformation.

Vivian Kayitesi, Head of Investment at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) explained to those present the progress that has led Rwanda to be ranked 3^rd in Sub Saharan Africa at the recent World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report and the 8^th easiest in doing business globally.

“RDB is dedicated to fast tracking Rwanda’s economic development by facilitating private sector investment. One of our recent accomplishments includes; decreasing the time required to open a business from 24 hours to 6 hours and procedures to obtain a construction permit from 30 days to 20 days.”

Addressing the question of education, President Kagame explained that the vision responsible for shaping Rwanda’s future, Vision 2020, was largely based on investing in the education of the youth.

“With youth forming the majority of the Rwandan population, Rwanda has prioritized education and the creation of a capable workforce in the country,” he explained.

President Kagame concluded by inviting the members of the business community to make the trip to Rwanda to witness the change that Rwandans have brought their nation. “Seeing is believing.”

http://newsofrwanda.com/irembo/13529/rwanda-part-rwandas-journey-kagame-tells-hong-kong-business-community-2/

Read more »