President Paul Kagame’s speech at the ceremony of His Highness’s Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award in Doha, Qatar caught the attention of guests.
The Rwandan leader known for delivering captivating speeches at major global gatherings did not disappoint while in Doha on Thursday.
He hailed Qatar for hosting an unrivaled ongoing FIFA World Cup2022 that no other country has ever done it like this Gulf nation. Qatar has reportedly spent U$229 billion to deliver the best organised World Cup.
“Im glad that qatar did not have to respond to all of it in words and instead let the facts speak for themselves. after all there is no where in the world without fault,” President Kagame told the attentive gathering.
Despite putting up a fancy World Cup tournament, Qatar is facing a host of criticism including an appalling human rights record especially mistreatment of migrant workers, women.
Qatar is also accused of presiding over draconian law against gay rights, leading to allegations of sportswashing. Others have cited Qatar’s intense climate and lack of a strong football culture, as well as evidence of bribery for hosting rights and wider FIFA corruption.
“The real subtext of these criticisms is that only certain countries and people deserve the honour of hosting events of such global importance,” the Rwandan President said.
Kagame argues that this form of criticism is an example of an orchestrated campaign to put a country like Qatar, back in the inferior place it is supposed to occupy.
“In this globalised world, we need to be respectful of each other’s cultures and beliefs in our coexistence and interaction. Yet many of us consistently experience similar treatment,” he said.
Kagame observed, “Ironically, the more you achieve, the more important it becomes to remind you that you are not equal.”
The ceremony also included a speeches from the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Ghada Waly, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center and UN Special Advocate on the Prevention of Corruption (UNODC) Ali bin Fetais Al Marri.
the Amir also honored the winners Prof. Sope Williams-Elegbe from the United Kingdom and Prof. Ernesto Savona from the Republic of Italy, won the award for Academic Research and Education, as well as honoring the Youth Against Corruption (YAC) institution for the Republic of Lebanon and Koalisi Anti Korupsi of Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (KAKI) from the Republic of Indonesia, who won the award for Youth Creativity and Engagement.
His Highness also honored Hopewell Chin’ono from the Republic of Zimbabwe, who won the award for innovation / Investigative Journalism, Prof. Lisa A Kehl from the United States of America, who won the award for Safeguarding Sports From Corruption, and John Githongo from the Republic of Kenya who won the award for Lifetime / Outstanding Achievement.
