How a Setback the Success of CHOGM2022 is to Rwanda’s Critics
By George Kalisa
Justified or unjustified enemies of the Kigali administration with a legitimate or illegitimate case, spared no effort to demonize the Rwandan government in a bid to evoke a cancellation and failure of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM2022). Whether the critics of Rwanda are justified or not, the answer will depend on who you ask this question, and the debate is not for this article.
The bone of contention is how the critics are struggling to cope with the dehumanizing situation of recovering from overwhelming defeat and shame. The failure of CHOGM2022 – was their sole objective behind propagating lies about Rwanda alongside creating an impression of an existence of an authoritarian rule in Kigali, with no respect for human rights hit a deadlock. They were proved wrong by over 4,000 delegates and 35 Heads of State that attended the Commonwealth meeting in Kigali.
It’s now common knowledge that the answers by the West and the Developing world will be perfect opposites and a reflection of conflicting political beliefs, goals and aspirations in the two worlds. Most leaders of colonial nations see it their right to continue patronizing political systems and politics in general in their former colonies by promoting ‘copy-and-paste’ models of democracy. They regard Africans inferior and uphold a mistaken belief that Africans are barbaric and primitive, and thus, need to be coached about values.
The Westerners need to know that the geopolitical landscapes have marked differences in the social sphere – and a country’s history, and that dynamism in today’s international politics cannot allow some political agendas such as neocolonialism to succeed.
The kind of attitude they have towards Africans and the Continent seeps through their editorial lines.
Today, some African leaders and scholars tell the Westerners off and they will do so until they realize that Africans have values and respect them.
“I think checking of facts is a serious problem with the very institutions we should have relied on to inform the general public about some of the facts or the interpretations of things that happened,” said H.E President Paul Kagame.
“Who doesn’t have values? I want to put this case clearly. Those from the North where BBC comes from, who always think that they are the face of values and the rest have to follow is a big mistake. We have values here in Africa and Rwanda.”
Several political observers are agreed that the question posed by the BBC journalist was biased and disregarded facts.
“As chair of the commonwealth, what are your priorities in terms of upholding the values of democracy and human rights given that there’s been scrutiny on your country and the record of your government and critics have been pointing out the number of opposition leaders and journalists who are in prison. What type of leadership will this organisation have?” asked Anne Soy, BBC Senior Africa Correspondent
The Kenyan journalist can be excused for she’s still naïve to be blamed the faults in editorial policies that have existed for decades.
There is a huge knowledge gap among all the writers that guise as either as experts on Rwanda or researchers when it comes to understanding the facts related to home grown solutions the country’s human rights and leadership. This gap is the first thing any ardent and meticulous reader will find common is all Western media outlets.
Several human rights watch dogs based in the West, whose legitimacy has been in questions of decades and they have the same victims every year, that is, countries from the developing world particularly from Sub-Sahara Africa.
Before CHOGM2022 took place in Kigali many HR reports were released, all demonizing Rwanda. Differentiating report by the HR watchdogs from the minutes of groups critical of the Kigali administration is as difficult as it is for a Biblical rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.
The phrases they use point more to lamentations than political ideologies – abundantly opposed to the ideals and conventional knowledge on oppositional politics as we know it and not based on their wishes. Most African countries, Rwanda included evolve political systems where the will and power of the people reigns other than a set of obsolete written values and aspirations.
The catchwords that have evolved into what Rwandan President called songs sung by the Western media. Time was not on his side, he insinuated that the songs are, indeed, lullabies for a big majority of self-exiled Rwandan asylum-seekers who masquerade as opposition politicians persecuted for criticizing the Kigali administration.
But in his speech Kagame said self-exiled Rwandans and Rwandans living outside their motherland miss the gratification and delight that one derives from living in their home country, and in his culture settings. Suggestively, Kagame said they are haunted by this fact and thus restless as Rwandans within the country’s borders are busy developing their country and themselves and live a life they desire.
And, the Western media sing the song year in, year out. The catchwords include; human rights abuses – arbitrary killings by the government, forced disappearance by the government, unlawful detentions et cetera. They are promised support to cause a change in government in Rwanda, and wait for change that is not about to come.
“The biased narrative on Rwanda & talks about real efforts underway to make lives ever better for Rwandans. #CHOGM2022,” said Yolande Makolo, the Spokesperson of the government of Rwanda through a tweet.
“Always. So predictable. Good thing we know what we’re dealing with. We keep answering the same biased questions, despite them being here and seeing for themselves what’s going. Or maybe their eyes don’t like what they see because it doesn’t match the agenda to denigrate,” she added.
They are vegetated as a result of constant brainwashing by their hosts and/or enemies of Rwanda the Continent. The President made one bitter fact – that the clock was ticking and none of them was growing younger nor have the powers to stop time.
The so-called critics and their allies in their songs they say that the Rwandan media is stifled and there is no respect for press freedoms. I beg to ask them: “What kind of freedom am I enjoying and I feel it is my entitlement to write this opinion?”
I’m a foreigner. In fact, a Ugandan journalist who has been carrying our many researches as a journalist that have helped me reach the top of the career through all the ranks.
It’s the freedom of press enshrined in the 2003 Rwandan Constitution.
“Freedom of press, of expression and of access to information are recognised and guaranteed by the State. Freedom of expression and freedom of access to information shall not prejudice public order, good morals, the protection of the youth and children, the right of every citizen to honour and dignity and protection of personal and family privacy. Conditions for exercising and respect for these freedoms are determined by law,” says Article 38.
And, we express our opinions every day and no government official has ever intimidated me or physically felt offended. Unless the opinion is a potential threat to the unity and security of Rwandans, that can lead to devastating consequences then the case will be referred to Courts of law. Even then, there are legal structures where suspects can get justice, structures that are guided by laws and the supreme Law of the nation to determine the offence and the punishment. All decisions and rulings in Rwanda are based on the law.
Opposition politicians are in Parliament and do their job without government interference. A case in point is Dr. Frank Habineza, the Chairman of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR). He recently, told The Stream Al Jazeera said that the party’s official position was not in favour of the UK-Rwanda asylum-seekers deal. Habineza is also the Chairperson of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO). He has influenced a number of laws and his contribution in national politics is recognized.
On media freedoms, Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), a self regulatory body settles disputes implicating journalists, and it’s promoting free, responsible and accountable media
To the dismay of the critics of Rwanda, several world leaders have paid tribute to President Kagame, Rwandan government and Rwandans for organizing a successful meeting.
By press time, congratulatory messages were still pouring in.
·“As #CHOGM2022 concludes I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to H.E. President @PaulKagame , Govt and People of #Rwanda, the @commonwealthsec team and to all our #Commonwealth family, for the outstanding commitment which made this #CHOGM so successful! God bless you all,” said Commonwealth GS Patricia Scotland QC.
“I want to thank @PaulKagame and the people of Rwanda for hosting a very successful @CHOGM2022. I look forward to our collective efforts under the leadership of @PScotlandCSG in turning our words and commitments into action on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth,” said Philip Brave Davis, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Adewale Yusufu CEO at AltSchool Africa said: “Every African should be proud of what #Rwanda achieved this week through #CHOGM. This level of excellence is exceptional. Congratulations to President @PaulKagame and the entire Rwandan citizen.
First Lady, Namibia noted; “Rwanda was the perfect host for a successful #CHOGM2022. It also provided the perfect opportunity to meet with a few stakeholders and chart a meaningful path forward for @OAFLAD,”