The dust has finally settled on the Presidential elections. As had been widely expected, the incumbent swept the field. Paul Kagame is winning the vote by over 98 per cent with 80 per cent of the results counted so far. It was the wide margin that separated him and his two unfortunate opponents that really sent the message home. But that was a done deal from the beginning. If the large turnout at President Paul Kagame’s campaign rallies was anything to go by, the other candidates had no chance. Rwandans have decided and done so with a loud voice. Ever since the referendum on term limits was held and passed overwhelmingly, the presidential elections seemed to have rubbed many people the wrong way. None could have outdone the obsession of Human Rights Watch and its boss that have shown a pathological strain in their hate for Rwanda and its leaders. But Rwandans have said over and over again; it is their decision, their destiny. President Kagame’s landslide win would, in normal circumstances, be enough to shut them up. No, it only drives them mad, and, out of desperation, they look for other targets. Rwandans have decided on who should lead them. Why should it bother non-Rwandans? This country has learnt some bitter lessons in the past that made it resilient. That is why it charts its own course without resorting to irrelevant and unsuitable templates. Rwanda’s policies have worked for it; that is what matters. So those not happy with the outcome of the elections, there is one simple message; calm down, we have another fruitful seven years ahead.
