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Kagame: "West Can't Give Rwanda Lectures On Freedom"

By Giles Muhame 1 hour ago

President Kagame

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President Paul Kagame has continued attacking the West, insisting no one will dictate what is good for Rwanda.

 

"They dictate what we must do in our countries but who dictates to them what they must do in theirs?" wondered Kagame.

"They come to teach us about freedom yet they are the first to stand in the way of our freedom."

The President has lately ratcheted up criticism of some western countries after international groups accused his country of involvement in the M23 rebellion in DRC, with others threatening to drag him to the International Criminal Court.

Matters were worsened by United Nations reports which accused Rwanda of supporting the DRC mutineers with military logistics and recruits, a development that compelled western countries to suspend aid. Kigali denies the charge.

Speaking at the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship prayer breakfast in Kigali on Sunday, Kagame maintained Africans have been taught to hate each other and themselves and to believe they are inherently inferior.

"There is no human being who is superior to another," said Kagame, adding, "we can have a conversation, we can debate but you can never dictate to me what is good for me."

He revealed that today Rwanda was still much better off than it was ever in the past, reminding his audience that some leaders in their own countries are asking for "external help" against their own people.

Kagame said Rwanda must know what to live and die for.

"I would rather be a victim of questioning than a victim of blind obedience; there is only one God, I consider myself equal to all humans wherever they may come from."

The President observed that human beings cannot act like God "towards us but they do every day and the worst part is Africans actually accept it" and are grateful to them.

Rwanda, said Kagame, is blamed for not being "what we are told to be and for being Africans who dare to question."

MONUSCO

During his speech, the President took time toblast UN Peace Keeping Mission in DRC, commonly known as MONUSCO, for being a flop in the region.

"MONUSCO, if you claim to care about results, ask yourselves have you succeeded?" he charged.

"How can you spend money on anything but not be bothered by results on the other end."

MONUSCO has since last year been under fire for falling short of maintaining peace in the region, allowing several militia groups to mobilise, train fighters and even launch deadly attacks on civilians.

In December 2012, President Yoweri Museveni said MONUSCO was overseeing a "terrorism conservation project" in DRC.

RWANDA MUST RISE UP

Meanwhile, Kagame said Rwanda cannot limit itself to being offended by wrong perceptions.

"We must work hard to show that we are who we claim to be. It all starts with rejecting failure but it is not enough to say no. We must work hard and prove that we are better as Rwandans and as Africa we must refuse to be defined by failure. We cannot accept to fail," he advised.

"What kind of Rwandans would we be if we accept defeat and wait for the end? The lesson is that we must double our efforts to achieve. We cannot afford to walk, we must run; dependency takes away our dignity and leaves behind an empty shell."

The President stressed the recent development around aid is a lesson and a wakeup call for all of Rwandans, adding, it is not about personal achievement but collective progress.

He told leaders that building Rwanda is not a favor to anyone but the responsibility of each of Rwandans.

"We each have our role. We must build on our different skills to move the country forward. Progress is diminished when it is not shared by all. Rwanda is not in anyone else's interest but our own; no one should be begged to be part of this transformation."

He urged leaders not to be satisfied by illusions lest they end up with nothing.

"We are not seeking to become Singapore but like Singapore we must have a vision for where we want to go and work to achieve it. What God gave to Singapore is what has been given to all of us, what is left is for us to build on what we have to achieve."

Earlier, Prof. Vincent Chinedum Anigbogu preached that righteousness and sacrifice are the footprints of success. He said likeSingapore, Rwanda passed through times of uncertainty but they believed in themselves and kept pushing.

"What is going on in Rwanda is an encouragement and model for all African countries."

Prof. Anigbogu said President Kagame was one of the reasons "we must thank God" because "having a leader like you is a tremendous inspiration to all of us; Africa is proud of Rwanda."

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe who doubles as a member on the US Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said President Kagame is a man who has gone through more hardship than anyone he knew and brought his country to the top.

Jim and other Senators who include John Boozman and Erik Paulsen are in Rwanda on an official visit.

Minister Venantie Tugireyezu shared Rwanda's 2012 highlights which include economic growth, security and good leadership.