Rwanda: A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to General Kagame-April 21

By Aimable Mugara
Rwanda Human Rights and Democracy
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
April 21, 2010


H. E. General Paul Kagame
Office of the President
Republic of Rwanda
P.O. Box 15 Urugwiro Village
Kigali – Rwanda
Fax: +250 572431

Copy:

Prosecutor General
Martin Ngoga
National Public Prosecution Authority
BP 1328
Kigali – Rwanda
Fax: +250 589501

Commissioner General Emmanuel Gasana
Rwandan National Police
Kigali – Rwanda
Fax: +250 586602

Chief Executive Officer
Editor-in-Chief
The New Times Publications SARL
Immeuble Aigle Blanc
P.O. Box 4953
Kigali – Rwanda


A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to General Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda

Dear General,

There are 17 weeks left before the elections. This is my sixth letter and there are 17 letters left. I hope you will excuse my tone today, but your actions today leave me very little room to be diplomatic. Today, the Emperor came out in public with “new clothes.” It was clear to everyone else, but unbeknownst to the Emperor, that those “new clothes” are nothing. The Emperor is naked. For over a decade many people have said that you will do anything to cling to power. They have said that democracy and fundamental human rights for all Rwandans are anathema to you. Your friends and supporters have claimed that this is not true. Today, the truth is shining through loud and clear. It is undeniable that you have turned Rwanda into an Apartheid state.

Mrs. Victoire Ingabire is recognized by most as the main leader of the Rwandan non-violent political opposition and intends to run as her party’s candidate in the next presidential election this August 2010. It has been less than four months since she voluntarily returned to her country, ending 16 years in exile. You have now arrested this mother of three, her true crime being that she believed that there can be a new Rwanda where power can be changed peacefully, at the ballot box.

By arresting Mrs. Ingabire, once again you have proved what your fundamental beliefs really are. You have proved that you believe that the only way to get to power in Rwanda should be through the use of guns. You attacked the country in 1990 using the excuse of repatriating refugees. I really doubt that this was your true motive. Repatriation of refugees could have been achieved peacefully with the help of donor nations who had a lot of leverage with the government of the time. Instead of asking these donor nations to help you return peacefully, you asked them for weapons to attack the country.

Now that you got to the top position in the land by the use of force, it is clear to everyone that you mean to maintain yourself there through the use of force. Anyone who had any shred of faith left in the upcoming August 2010 presidential elections has now been put on notice by your actions. You have sent a loud message that anyone who dares think of running against you, if they have even a slim chance of winning, you will make sure that they end up in the gallows instead of on the ballot.

The Rwandan people have heard your barbaric message. People all over the world have heard your barbaric message. Today is a turning point in Rwanda’s future. You have proved that you hate the democratic ways championed by Mrs. Ingabire. Mrs. Victoire Ingabire believed in a new Rwanda where power can be changed peacefully, at the ballot box. Mrs Ingabire is in our prayers, she is our Mandela and mark my words, just like Nelson Mandela of South Africa, she too shall overcome your RPF Apartheid.

Long live democracy and human rights for all Rwandans!

Aimable Mugara
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Related Materials:
Rwanda: A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to President Paul Kagame-April 12

Rwanda: A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to Paul Kagame-March 29

Rwanda: A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to Paul Kagame-March 22

Rwanda: A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to President Paul Kagame-March 15

Rwanda: Rhetoric and the politics of genocide