Rwanda 365

“Only Rwandans will decide their country’s destiny” President Paul Kagame said at a rally in Kirehe, south-east Rwanda on the Tanzanian border in the last few days of the campaign. The 3-week campaign is drawing to a close with Kagame in the lead in most unofficial estimates.

Speaking to thousands of supporters at a campaign rally at Nyakarambi sector in Kirehe district in the eastern province, Kagame, the RPF candidate, said foreigners would not “impose upon us” their own democratic standards.

“What is democracy? We need peace, we need to develop our economy, education, tourism, empower women and chose our own leader and that is democracy,” he said.

Kagame is recent weeks has dismissed international critics who he sees as interfering in Rwandan politics and claims they do not take into account the opinions of ordinary Rwandans. These critics include Human Rights Watch and similar organizations.

“Democracy is not about division or committing crimes. Rwanda will never be developed by criminals,” said the incumbent head of state, who is seeking re-election in next week’s presidential elections.
“Rwanda is not for Hutus, Tustis or Batwa…Rwanda is for Rwandans, therefore our democracy will be based on that principle of equality.”
Reacting to reports that Victoire Ingabire is being persecuted for speaking for one particular group, Kagame said “Even in Europe, their democracy is not based on race or ethnic groups such as whites, coloured, brown people or anything, it’s about all people who have come to live together.”

He reiterated the need for unity and rejected the tendency to divide along ethnic lines, he constantly refered back to Rwanda’s tragic history where one side tried to exterminate the other.
“If Rwandans have chosen with a majority, other people need to respect that. Whoever doesn’t respect that is simply being disrespectful. What I read out of this is sheer contempt, we have already seen this contempt over the last 100 years and where it has led us.”

He was referring to how colonialist divided and categorized Rwandans along ethnic lines and forced them to carry identity cards, this carried on until 1994 when these ID cards were used to differentiate people in order to kill them.

“I want to repeat that we Rwandans owe nobody anything! Rwanda is a country of self-belief. Our politics are about what benefits us as a country. Those who want to destabilize our nation will regret it. This is a new Rwanda. We have won many battles and will win many more, including the war on ethnic division, poverty and insecurity. For those who want to fight us, we’ll give them a fight they will never forget. RPF has struggled to put this country where it is. We will never tire of this struggle.”
The campaign continues in Eastern Province with further rallies in Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kayonza before the final day on Saturday with a rally in the working class suburb of Nyamirambo.

“Be it Bahutu, Batutsi or Batwa, we are all Rwandans. The politics of this country is not based on ethnicity,” he told a big campaign gathering of supporters in Kicukiro, outside Kigali City.

“Whoever wants to be part of Rwanda’s development, we welcome them but those who want war, we shall take it to them,” he warned sternly.

Kagame was reacting to foreign-based critics and human rights bodies, who he accuses of slander and damaging his image and that of the country in the international media.

“We’ll continue to build our country… RPF politics have always been about nation-building for Rwandans who have great hopes for the future,” he said.

“Some people want to take us back to the politics of the past. This has to change. We have our own solutions,” he added.

There has been a sustained barrage of attacks on Rwanda’s model of democracy in the foreign media over the last couple of months in the lead up to next week’s elections.

“Development and democracy do complement each other ,” Kagame earlier told another rally in Bugesera district.

“You all know our history. Our foreign-based opponents should also tell you they a role in our country’s bad past,” he explained.

As has been with previous rallies, Kagame arrived in Kicukiro to a thunderous welcome by hundreds of thousands of supporters, most donning outfit in party colours.

The RPF and its candidate have never let Rwandans down and never will. We have achieved much together but the journey is still way far too long,” said Kagame, who is also the country’s incumbent President.

Earlier in the day, Kagame addressed a similar rally at Nyabugogo in Kigali City before heading to Ruhuha in Bugesera and finally ended with Kicukiro.

Campaign hits top speed

The final leg of the campaign hit top speed as RPF candidate Paul Kagame blitzed through three rallies in a day in and around Kigali. The first rally was in the Nyabugogo area, the place is a transport hub as the main bus terminal is positioned there, there is also an active market both wholesale and retail. The area has also been a scene of chaos in recent months as terrorists attacked innocent civilians in an attempt to intimidate locals. The president had appeared there before to reassure locals that the attacks would not succeed.

The rally was arranged at short notice but still managed to pull in over 50,000 people in the height of the busy lunchtime period. The crowd was smaller than usual but louder and more boisterous than usual, Kagame had to calm down the crowd on several occasions to let him speak and they sang campaign anthems. The rally was shorter than usual in order to cause minimal disruption to the city.

“Let us continue to build our country together, but that will only be if you pick the right choice of candidate.” Paul Kagame said.

He continued to list the numerous achievements and targets that the RPF had and asked for the people to carry on in their quest for development under the RPF umbrella. The rally was short but sweet and soon the campaign was off to the next stop in Ruhuha, Bugesera south of Kigali.

Ruhuha

There was a big crowd in Ruhuha in Bugesera numbering some 80,000 people, they braved the scorching sun to see their candidate. There was the usual fanfare with loud music, singing from the crowd, comedians and poets as well as local politicians. The theme of Paul Kagame’s speech was democracy and development.

“Democracy and development go hand in hand, they complement each other. You cannot have one without the other. Democracy is about choice, it is about the right to choose and the right to reject. It is about choosing a leader who will unite, or to reject criminals and those who divide the country on ethnic lines. That is democracy, whoever is uncomfortable with that can go.”

He then spoke about foreign critics who he said lie about Rwanda, and asked that Rwandans stay focussed on their goals whatever comes in their way.

“Those who say bad things about Rwanda will never stop us from achieving our goals. I call on all Rwandans to join me in developing our country, so we can earn our dignity as Rwandans in the international arena. No single country was ever created to be poor.” Kagame said.

The crowd was galvanised by this, and they cheered his every word. Bugesera was the scene of some of the worst massacres during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the area was home to a large Tutsi population before the massacres, so his words on divisionism were particularly poignant.

“Rwanda will never be left behind in international development, Rwanda will fight anyone who brings conflict among Rwandans. Some of these critics played a part in the terrible past of Rwanda. They will be haunted by their evil deeds”

Kagame clenched his first as he called for the people to vote for RPF, he spoke with a firm tone as he asked for their votes.

“To vote for RPF is to vote for development, democracy and truth and justice for all. We have come a long way but the journey is still long. We have achieved so much but I will deliver even more if I am elected.”

THE RPF Inkotanyi yesterday stepped up its political drive in the final week of the presidential campaigns with a massive rally in the northern province of Gicumbi district.

Gicumbi is quite historical to the RPF, having established its tactical base there at the start of and during the liberation struggle, in the early 1990s.

The rally, held at Kabeza in Nyamiyaga sector of Gicumbi district, is so far the party’s biggest audience since the campaigns started two weeks ago. Organizers estimated it at over 150,000 people. Elections are due next week (Monday).

Paul Kagame, the party candidate, told the mammoth gathering that he appreciated the role residents played during the struggle and for voting him in the last elections of 2003.

He said the forthcoming elections are yet another struggle, only this time for democracy and development for Rwanda. He urged them to vote for him unreservedly.

The incumbent President said voting for the RPF would be a win for democracy and development for the country.

“If you chose the RPF and its candidate for another seven years, you will have given this country hope for a brighter future with many opportunities,” he said to wild applause and cheering.

Unlike the previous two weeks, where he has addressed between two to three rallies in a day, Kagame addressed only one rally.

“We will work together to multiply what we have achieved so far several times. We have achieved so much but we need to accomplish much more. The best of times lie ahead,” the candidate explained.

He enumerated his party’s major area of focus for his next term as agriculture, using modern tools and methods of farming; justice and fighting prejudice, unity of all citizens, development of infrastructure, education, promoting good living standards, tourism and environmental protection.

Addressing previous rallies, Kagame has specifically promised to extend electricity to all households, increase free basic education from the current nine to 12 years as well as to multiply current achievements by sevenfold.

Kagame said he was pleased with the turn-up and asked them to translate it into action on election day. He repeated an earlier assertion that the RPF has never and would never abandon Rwandans.

He mocked critics who he accused of writing to tarnish his image and that of the country in the international media, saying the RPF support would disprove them.

“When people chose what they want freely, when they chose what they want and the leaders they want, that is (the definition) of democracy,” he said

“We need to speak with one voice. Whoever is not comfortable with that (democratic) arrangement can go and hung,” he added, to the wild cheering of the crowds.

Earlier, Kagame arrived to animated dances by various supporter groups, who called him intore izirusha intambwe (a hero above the rest). One of the supporters said elections should come earlier “so we sort out that argument for good.”

The RPF campaign has largely been shaped up by economic benefits and services to the electorate, such as education, Girinka (one cow per household) and ubudehe (a community program to empower locals out of poverty).

Various residents have given testimonies of how their lives have changed since the RPF came to power, saying they had lost hope for life.

over 200,000 at Gicumbi

The RPF campaign caused another major surprise when over 200,000 people attended the latest rally in Gicumbi (Byumba) district. The site of the rally was Kabeza in Nyamiyaga sector, it is a natural amphitheatre situated between two hills and this allowed the unprecedented numbers to fill the mega-bowl shaped terrain. The area used to be a stronghold of the previous government so it underlines the political transformation that has taken place under the RPF in the last 16 years. Most in the crowd were adorned in RPF T-shirts and waited patiently for the RPF candidate to emerge.

Paul Kagame asked the people of Gicumbi to vote for the RPF in order to get a bright future and more development. “This are responded to liberation, voted for the RPF in large numbers last time, and I have so much hope and trust in you.” He was referring to the time in the war of liberation from 1990-1994, the RPF liberated this area in 1992 and held on to it throughout the war, it became a training base for the RPF and safe haven for Rwandans during the war. It was for that reason that he thanked the locals for their long support.

The size of the crowd was staggering and defied expectations, it was estimated to be between 150,000 but 200,000 and the cauldron-like setting really intensified the atmosphere. The rally had its usual fanfare and resembled a music concert as popular artist performed, speeches and jokes from comedians. The crowd chanted along to various party anthems and danced the local dance, pounding the ground with shattering stomps typical on the Bakiga dances of Northern Rwanda. The rally was surely the biggest of the campaign and surpassed the previous record of 130,000 set in Musanze, also in the populous North.

RPF candidate Paul Kagame takes his campaign to Gicumbi district in Northern Rwanda in what used to be known as Byumba. The verdant hills are some of the most beautiful scenes in Rwanda, the district is also home to the Murindi tea plantation, which was an early stronghold of the RPF during the war of liberation. Gicumbi district has benefitted greatly from government policies such as the Girinka scheme to provide each family with a cow. It has also been an area that pioneers new agricultural concepts such terracing, mixed-farming and diversification of crops.

Gicumbi district is divided into 21 sectors: Bukure, Bwisige, Byumba, Cyumba, Giti, Kaniga, Manyagiro, Miyove, Kageyo, Mukarange, Muko, Mutete, Nyamiyaga, Nyankenke II, Rubaya, Rukomo, Rushaki, Rutare, Ruvune, Rwamiko and Shangasha. It is heavily populated so it has more sectors than most districts, which have an average of 10-12 sectors. Whereas Kagame have been visiting on average 2 districts a day, he has set aside a special day for Byumba maybe because of its population and significance in the history of Rwanda. The campaign has seen crowds exceeding 100,000 on several occasions and today should be no exception. This is the final week of an intensive 3-week campaign that has criss-crossed the country.

About 5 million Rwandans — half of the country’s population — have been registered for the forthcoming presidential elections according the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

“The number of Rwandans ready to cast their votes in the forthcoming 2010 presidential elections has hiked compared to the previous figures for the parliamentary polls,” said Charles Munyaneza the executive secretary of Rwanda’s electoral body.

Rwanda goes to the polls on August 9, with President Paul Kagame widely expected to retain his seat.

According to Mr Munyaneza, the campaigning period has been smooth with no significant occurrences registered in the last week.

“Apart from posting campaign posters in undesignated areas such as electric poles and trees, generally there are no big issues because these are just minor. Candidates’ posters, are only supposed to be posted on public buildings,” he said.
Prof Chrisologue Karangwa the chief executive at NEC said that there is no deficit in the elections budget. He said that 83 percent of the budget for the elections has been made available.

Confident

Data availed by NEC indicated that already some Rwanda Francs 7.4 billion (about $13.4 million) has been received of the Rwf 8 billion budget.

”We are confident that budgetary issues will not constitute a challenge, since the remaining sum will be transferred by various national and international organisations. The budget is quite modest since material and equipment used in the 2008 parliamentary elections can still be re-used,” Mr Karangwa said.
“This time round we have learnt a lesson and we expect to use more than 600 vehicles. Due to the the fleet policy of government on vehicles there are no vehicles to use. So the only option is to hire from private companies,” added Mr Munyaenza.

Officials at the NEC also told reporters this week that over 1,000 local and foreign observers will monitor the electoral process for the presidential elections scheduled for August 9.
Close to 300 international observers have already confirmed but a larger number is expected as the polling day draws closer.
Mr Munyaneza said that the commission communicated with a number of organisations to take part in the elections and among them the Comesa secretariat and foreign missions in the country have already shown interest.
This week a team of Commonwealth Observers Group (COG) is expected to arrive in the country. The group according to officials includes 13 prominent personalities headed by former Tanzania Prime Minister, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, who was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, following an invitation from NEC.

Key pillar

A Commonwealth press statement said that the group which will be in the country for at least two weeks, would also include Sabihuddin Ahmed a former Bangladesh Permanent Secretary, Art Wright, former Canadian Diplomat and ex Ghanaian Diplomat, Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Francis Agyemfra, among others.

”Their mandate is to observe the preparations for the elections, the polling and the overall electoral environment. They will also assess the conduct of the process and make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral framework in Rwanda,” Kamalesh Sharma said in the statement.

”The group is tasked to act impartially and independently, and to conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory,” he said.

“Rwanda is the newest member of the Commonwealth and we are very pleased to observe these important elections. Democracy is a key pillar of the Commonwealth, and the credible conduct of a country’s election is an integral and vital element of the democratic process,” he added.