By Andrew M. Mwenda Why it has been important that Rwandans and not the international community ended the genocide On Monday, Rwanda commemorated 20 years since the genocide against the Tutsi. It was an inspiring event because Rwanda has astounded admirers and critics alike. In little less than two decades, …
Read More »Rwanda’s intriguing experience
By Andrew M. Mwenda You cannot choose whom you were born to but you can choose which person you want to be Every time I read a book about Rwanda or experience its daily life as a regular visitor attending official and informal gatherings, or by travelling to the countryside …
Read More »The secret to Rwanda’s success
By Silver Bugingo The political resolve, consensus on priorities, a crude lessons learned from the past have made the people resilient The circus and bizarre media headlines on the mess and resultant belligerent battlefields in the neighbouring Eastern DR Congo are back. But, at least this time, Rwandan citizens in …
Read More »Rwanda’s international bond debut
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why African countries should follow the example of Rwanda, Ghana and Zambia by moving from foreign aid to bond markets Last week, the government of Rwanda issued an international 10-year bond to raise $400 million for infrastructure development. Within two days, the bond had been oversubscribed …
Read More »Rwanda’s medical tourism is brilliant
By Morris Komakech The next time any member of the Ugandan ruling regime becomes ill, Rwanda will be a destination of choice. The numerous reports of children and their mothers dying in Uganda’s healthcare system is not something that a citizen should be proud of. Clearly, most of the maternal-child …
Read More »Inside Rwanda’s 2017 transition
By Andrew M. Mwenda The decision on whether Kagame stays or retires may be in the hands of international organisations The fortunes of a nation, especially a poor one, are determined not only by its leaders and people but also by the interests and whims of powerful nations. This fact …
Read More »The myth of Congolese wealth
The arguments that Rwanda is in Congo to exploit that country’s mineral wealth are misinformed Since the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo flared up, most international media coverage has focused on Rwanda’s alleged support for M23, one of over 40 rebel groups fighting Kinshasa. Eastern Congo is …
Read More »Who benefits from aid to Rwanda?
By Andrew M. Mwenda Recently, the Daily Telegraph published a story quoting David Himbara saying that aid to Rwanda goes to Kagame. Really? A visitor driving from Kanombe airport to downtown Kigali would be struck by the way post genocide Rwanda is shaping herself. The road is smooth to a …
Read More »The story of Rwanda Dignity Fund
By Andrew M. Mwenda Donors who cut aid to Kigali inadvertently made it discover a new aspect of its potential – citizen solidarity When the governments of United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany cut aid to Rwanda three months ago, I was among those who did not shed a …
Read More »Rwanda’s Congo PR failure
By Andrew M. Mwenda By responding to allegations about its involvement in DRC, Rwanda has allowed its detractors to define the debate Over the last two months, there has been a barrage of attacks against Rwanda accusing it of involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo by supporting rebels hostile …
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