The week of
Rwanda-UK: what if it was a trap?
Audio 04:12
Jean-Baptiste Placca, editorial writer at RFI, in 2020. Pierre René-Worms
By: Jean-Baptiste Placca
4 mins
Kigali did set a few conditions for this agreement (already controversial), concluded with London to “keep away” candidates for settling in the kingdom.
But it will take more to repair what has been damaged, especially in the image of a leader who was on the way to becoming the idol of a certain African youth.
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The United Kingdom will "relocate" to Rwanda migrants and asylum seekers who have entered its territory irregularly, pending a decision on their fate. They can then either settle in the country, return home or, who knows, be admitted to Great Britain. How to explain the liveliness of the reactions to this agreement, which is not the first?
It is, of course, not the first time that African states have been offered such an offer, which most end up declining, because of the political cost in public opinion.
But the totally uninhibited way in which Paul Kagame assumes such a worrying transaction challenges consciences, especially since Africa seemed to credit him with visionary leadership, out of step with the action taken by his country.
It is therefore by design that, in their reactions, the NGOs insisted so much on the fact that, despite Rwanda's economic prowess, Paul Kagame is far from being a democrat.
This heightens concerns about what might happen to those people who placed their hopes in the UK, and may have to worry about their freedoms, in Rwanda.
Some have even recalled that this regime was suspected of kidnapping (or liquidating) its opponents abroad.
Kigali and London promise to help these people rebuild their lives in Rwanda, a country whose economic performance, under the leadership of Paul Kagame, is admired by all...
It takes more than a multitude of generous intentions to reassure the NGOs and the United Nations in this bizarre “relocation”.
If these people's dream had been to “rebuild their lives” in Rwanda, they would not have risked it in the desert, the Mediterranean, and then the English Channel.
Every time we have praised the development of Rwanda, the reactions rain down, reminding us of what a ruthless leader Paul Kagame can be.
Equally futile are benevolent comparisons with Jerry J. Rawlings, who, once his country was on the launch pad, democratized, then passed the baton.
Except that you will be told that Paul Kagame has already spent twice as long in power as it took Rawlings to make Ghana the brilliant democracy with the prosperous economy that Africa admires.
Those who forgive everything, or almost, to Paul Kagame, start from the premise that Africans would be ready to suffer anything, as long as they can eat their fill.
But, it is quite the opposite of what these people show, dignified and upright, even in misery, who are first of all in love with justice and freedom, in order to be able to flourish, to work for the well-being of their community. , without envying anyone.
The only brakes on the development of this continent are the obstacles to fundamental freedoms, the perfidy of political leaders who modulate the laws and rules according to their interests, manipulate justice, distort equity, vitiate the criteria of impartiality.
To realize to what extent these values are intrinsic to life in society in Africa, it suffices to recall this injunction of his subjects to the Almamy Samory Touré, their sovereign: "If you cannot be impartial, cede the throne to men righteous!
".
It is in the anthem of the Wassoulou Empire.
There is nothing like fair and impartial leaders to stimulate and magnify the genius of a people.
But President Kagame recalled, not long ago, the credibility of justice in his country, the reliability of his regime...
Difficult to accept the sincerity of the compliments, for economic prowess, and to challenge the imperfections noted, in terms of individual freedoms.
Botswana, Cape Verde, Namibia, Mauritius, are also economic successes in Africa, and feel no need to defend the honor of their democracy.
Because it is obvious.
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Paul Kagame