In recent years, a handful of white armchair activists have emerged who delude themselves as "experts" on the post-genocide Government of Rwanda, yet their efforts remain sub-standard, deceitful, partial, and useless. Rather than engage in meaningful contributions to Rwanda's development, these individuals comfortably luxuriate in the security of their homes, sipping lattes, while casting irrational and unwarranted hostility towards the post-genocide government of Rwanda that frequently fly in the face of the reality experienced by the Rwandan people.
One might be tempted to dismiss these armchair activists as misguided or ignorant, but their hostility towards Rwanda is rooted in something deeper and more insidious than simple ignorance. These individuals suffer from what can only be described as a white savior complex, a dangerous mindset that assumes they know what is best for people of color, even if those people themselves have a different perspective. This arrogance is reminiscent of the colonial era, when Western powers claimed to be "civilizing" the so-called "uncivilized" world.
These self-proclaimed experts are inclined to hasty condemnation of every decision made by the post-genocide Rwandan Government, without considering the complex challenges that a developing country like Rwanda must face. They tend to provide a continuous stream of acrimonious and hostile criticism, with no practical solutions, as if their digital activism and ceaseless attacks can supplant the authentic efforts of the Rwandan government to enhance the welfare of its people.
The fact that a vast majority of these self-proclaimed experts never visited Rwanda or have only done so a few times in the distant past, is unsurprising. Equally unsurprising, is the revelation that some of these individuals previously supported regimes that actively fueled the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. By previously promoting racist and proto-genocidal policies, these armchair activists have no justifiable basis to criticize the present government, which has made significant strides in rebuilding the country they helped to destroy.
No wonder, the opinions of these armchair pundits seem to be at odds with the present reality in Rwanda. The people of Rwanda are currently engrossed in the formidable task of creating a better and more prosperous society for themselves and the future generations. The petty political squabbles that preoccupy these overseas commentators is of insignificant importance to the people of Rwanda.
In reality, the Rwandan people have enthusiastically embraced the idea of a cohesive and prosperous Rwanda, striving relentlessly towards that end. Their unwavering commitment to democratic principles is reflected in their enthusiastic participation in impartial and equitable elections, consistently re-electing President Kagame to lead the country towards a promising future.
It is important to emphasize that these so-called experts suffer from a condition of ignorance and a skewed view of reality. Their observations are limited by their personal prejudices, which they use to create an inaccurate and misleading account of events that occur far from their place of residence. Additionally, the problem posed by these individuals goes beyond their limited knowledge of Rwanda; it involves their excessive self-regard, malevolent motives, and irrational animosity towards a country that has encountered significant obstacles and accomplished remarkable feats in a relatively brief timeframe.
Despite the incessant criticism from armchair activists, Rwanda continues to make impressive strides with a thriving economy, expanding middle class, and a steadfast commitment to democratic governance and efficient administration. Nevertheless, these critics will persist in their state of ignorance, prejudice, and inconsequence, offering no substantial contributions to Rwanda's development. Ultimately, they are merely a group of self-important individuals with an inflated sense of self-importance, mistakenly believing that their opinions hold weight in a country led by exceptional leaders and inhabited by resilient citizens who have surmounted significant obstacles to achieve their goals and will not be easily dissuaded by such inconsequential individuals.
Patient Kwizera is an IT experts and political commentator