During a recent symposium at the National Police College in Musanze, northern Rwanda, Defence minister, Gen. James Kabarebe, made very pertinent observations. He said that it would be extremely difficult to effectively deal with security threats in the region without political will. He could not have made it sound any simpler. Political will comes twofold: those directly concerned and stakeholders (neighbours, regional organizations and those who call the shots). But it is those with vested interests, who also happen to wield enormous power on the international scene, who are to blame for continued stalemates in seeking solutions because they have no political will and have something to gain. Rwanda has experienced this lack of political will very many times, beginning with the unfolding of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Nothing was done to avert or stop it despite alarms bells ringing shrilly. The Rwanda Patriotic Front took it upon itself to put an end to the Genocide because it was obvious no one would do it for them. It took determination and sacrifice to bring an end to the carnage, but also taught Rwandans a bitter lesson that has emboldened it for the last two decades. losing over a million people because of an indecisive international community has also fired the nationalistic fervor of the population; they will do what is in their best interests, only. And as the President never fails to remind, Rwandans will not take arrogant lessons to conform to someone else’s interests. The people will run their own affairs, for they know what is best for them.
