The political landscape in Rwanda over the past two decades although defined by dictatorship has also ushered in tremendous economic development; the east African country has one person at the helm of affairs to thank – politician and former military leader Paul Kagame dubbed the iron ruler. He is proudly the sixth and current President of Rwanda.
Having held onto the reigns of power for twenty years since taking over office in 2000, Rwanda has noticeably witnessed economic recovery after the 1994 genocide and civil war. Although the length of his tenure may have incurred the wrath of some who feel his firm grip need be released with the mantle of leadership bestowed upon another, others look on in reverence, impressed with his accomplishments. Generally, President Kagame has earned praise as a go-getter, a man of action who gets things done, a passionate leader with crystal clear vision. He has also earned repute and garnered praise for being a pioneer for women’s rights, championing equality and technological advancement. Facts have it 60% of the country’s lawmakers are women.
Born October 1957, Kagame previously commanded the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Ugandan-based Tutsi militia. Under his leadership, he successfully defeated Hutu extremist forces to end the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Following his immense contribution towards the attainment of peace in the country, he was considered Rwanda’s de facto leader while serving as Vice President and Minister of Defence under President Pasteur Bizimungu from 1994 to 2000. In 2000 he officially took over power becoming president of Rwanda.
Under his rule, Rwanda, although a small nation and in fact, one of the continent smallest with a population of 12,952,218 million (2020) has recorded major economic and structural reforms, hence, impressive development and economic growth with the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank over the last decade. In 2020, according to StartupBlink- a global startup ecosystem map and research centre which measures ecosystems based on three metrics: the number of startups (quantity), their quality, and their business environment, Rwanda overtook Nigeria as Africa’s third-best startup ecosystem at number 65, after South Africa and Kenya, worthy of note, no African country landed the top 50.
With the global pandemic,understandably there has been a significant drop in activity with the country presently battling recession; restrictions hitting hard on Retail trade, leisure, hospitality and tourism – Real GDP in Rwanda was estimated to contract by 0.4, it’s tough times for the country no doubt. Although there’s light! Rwanda is expected to rebound by 3.5 percent this year 2021. The country has been earned high praise and in fact ranked first in Africa and sixth globally in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and making the information accessible to the public
A thriving private sector, coffee as main export, accounting for 60% of the countries foreign exchange earnings, despite economic growth witnessed, the country still battles hard to eradicate poverty.
The 63 year old president was born the youngest of six children, in Tambwe, Ruanda-Urundi, a village located the now the Southern Province of Rwanda to a father, a member of the Tutsi ethnic group, from which the royal family had been derived and a mother who descended from the family of the last Rwandan queen, Rosalie Gicanda.
Kagame grew up in exile in Uganda, as his parents had fled when the Rwandan Revolution ended centuries of Tutsi political dominance in 1959. While in Uganda, he studied at Makerere University in Kampala, before joining the forces of Yoweri Museveni, who overthrew Ugandan President Milton Obote in 1986. Kagame joined the RPF, taking control of the group when previous leader Fred Rwigyema died on the second day of the 1990 invasion.
In more recent times, discussions by citizens of the country advocating for an extension of Kagame’s term, potentially remaining in power till 2034 are currently ongoing. The people yearn for more development and a strong leader to pull it off and presently Rwandans are very satisfied with their leadership, the President’s advisor Kimonyo says.
