On this second day of the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, President Paul Kagame is holding a press conference where he is addressing various subjects raised by the local and international press.
Primitive politics were largely to blame for the events that sought to divide Rwandans along ethnicity and religious lines. “You can’t have stability when you divide people when you discriminate”.
“I could not find a better word to describe what was happening in Rwanda where ethnic division was the basis of governance, it is simply primitive politics and this is also seen on a wider scale in the region,” Kagame.
Asked about Rwanda’s relations with South Africa on the DRC crisis.
“We couldn’t have spent several hours in a meeting without talking about the DRC crisis. we had a very good discussion and understanding of the situation and the best ways we can work together to resolve the issues. I was satisfied.”
“Relationship between Rwanda and France has been good in recent days. Of course behind that there is a long history of problems relating to what happened in our country thirty years ago. my feeling is that we have made progress but there are people in the political structures of France who are still living in the past,” Kagame said in response to a question on why Emmanuel Macron may have cancelled his trip to Rwanda to attend the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
Mozambique. we have been there working with them to reign in the insecurity that was there for a couple of years. Good progress has been made.
The French have heavy investments in Mozambique and since we are contributing to stability in areas where their investments are established, we have good discussions and how we can continue to stabilise the area.
Who is Kagame?
I’m the person you see before you. What you see is what you get. My deeds and my words tend to relate. But my looks may differ. But in any case, isn’t the description of looks also subjective? some people see me as a terrible person, there maybe others who may see me different.
Cruel and Tyrant?
“You can’t be bad to that extent and hide it. It is difficult, there is a moment when it betrays you. but once it has not come out, you register the feeling, and description to the people who have to deal with you.”
“The press is full of individuals but these don’t add up to a population as big as Rwanda. These few press people cannot be the right ones but only take advantage of the platform they have.”
In the Western press, there are things that were said about Rwanda 30 years ago and are still being written in the press as though nothing changed.
For example, the poverty in Rwanda 30 years ago is not the same today.
for the smile I have been trying to change even though many years ago there was nothing to smile about.
I have even grown grey hair and very soon I may become bald. That time I looked different many years ago and the press may not have liked my looks. The situation at that time was maybe like that. you can’t be in a heap of dirt and pretend everything is ok around me.
The Kagame you see whether you like him or not, is going to be there anyway. I live my life whether you like me or not. I have my views and have to express them. I don’t owe my life to any individual or country. For somebody to have powers over me is not possible?
M23
those who accuse us I would ask why they don’t support m23.
It is an organisation born in DRC. These are Congolese and you will even hear DRC admitting they are citizens. Why do they exist because they have been denied their rights as citizens of the DRC? They are being referred to as the Tutsis of Rwanda.
We have 100000 Congolese Tutsi who have been living here in Rwanda camps. they are being persecuted back home and forced to flee. so M23 is born out of that situation.
Why are we being accused as Rwanda of supporting M23? I should accuse others of not supporting M23.
What is the problem of M23 should be the question everyone should be asking. why have they taken up arms to fight in their own country?
We want to be where developed countries have reached. but this requires the right politics to enable society to do what can take them to a higher level.
We have immense resources and in the next 30 years Rwanda will be five times better than what you see today.
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