As Kagame took oath on Friday, citizens too, did

It is impossible to find the best adjective to describe President Paul Kagame’s swearing-in ceremony on Friday; but there is one thing we all agree with, that everyone was glad when the Labour Ministry, albeit reluctantly, granted voters a day off to witness the historic moment. Workers returned home Thursday evening rather crestfallen after an earlier notice that they would have to work the next day; it was never going to work and another notice in a somewhat ‘reluctant language’ would be released later in the night, granting a day off. Joy broke loose! The President’s oath on Friday was, in a way, everyone’s oath. Rwandans took oath; to remain supportive of their leader’s efforts to continue transforming their country. Africa and the world showed up in Kigali and together with the President, also took oath to unite behind a single purpose of transforming its people. Oh yes! Kigali has hosted glorious moments in the past. But Friday’s was one of a kind. In a great show of solidarity more than two dozen Heads of State assembled here to be witnesses as their counterpart, Kagame, accepted the overwhelming mandate bestowed upon him by Rwandans, to lead on for another 7-year term. It is one thing winning an election. It is quite another winning the people’s hearts. Many politicians through maneuver, manage to win elections, very few win the people. On August 18, 2017, Kagame won both; the ultimate legitimacy needed by any leader. There is no greatness in a leader in the absence of a supportive people, for to succeed, the people must believe in and firmly support the leader’s vision for the nation. So as Kagame took oath on Friday, the people were also doing so in their hearts, pledging their continued support. It’s in a way, like marriage. The bride can’t pledge to be a great wife if the groom is determined to be a mean and troublesome husband. For the marriage to succeed, both the bride and groom must endeavor to be a great wife and husband, respectively. That President Kagame has been a hugely successful leader, is a fact everyone acknowledges including, albeit grudgingly, his government’s most ferocious critics in and outside the country. But he also, respectfully put, owes his success to the unwavering support of the people he has led, first as leader of the liberation war and now, as President of the Republic. It is not a chicken or egg affair to argue what came first; people’s support or his great leadership. After ending the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and effectively defeating the rogue regime, as victors, RPF, instead of being vindictive against ex-foes as had widely been expected, embarked, to the surprise of many, on a nation healing agenda founded on unity and reconciliation. Through the Gacaca courts, justice served through community courts saw former criminals and murderers given a second chance to reform and turn their hitherto cruel energies into positive energy for nation rebuilding. For the first time, an African nation chose to outlaw tribal classification of its people; instead of being identified as Twa, Tutsi or Hutu, people became citizens with equal rights as Rwandans entitled to economic and social opportunities based on merit. These early policies helped define the kind of leadership that Kagame and his RPF movement were aiming to promote in the post-genocide Rwanda and gradually won him the hearts and mandate of the people, many of whom had initially harbored doubts. Stories of this new crop of leadership in Rwanda started flowing by word of mouth, from Rwandans inside Rwanda to their relatives out of the country; backed by the government’s own call, thousands of Rwandans begun returning home to join the nation building efforts. As President Kagame arrived at Amahoro stadium to be sworn-in, the walls almost crumbled under pressure of applause and the expression on the faces of guests was unmistakable admiration for a man whose contribution to rebuilding Rwanda will forever be immortalized. So President Kagame has, one could say, earned the massive people support that his government enjoys today; it is a result of appreciation of the many years of his consistent effort to rebuild a nation that everyone can call home. The President has been a great leader. And the people have also been great supporters of his leadership. The resultant success is a shared dividend. So, for the next seven-year term to be even more successful, it was important that both the President and the people took an oath to continue being great and supportive partners. They did. The President swore not to forsake his people. And the people swore not to forsake their leader; so, what we saw on Friday was a renewal of vows to make Rwanda fly even higher in the next seven years. The African saying that ‘people recognize and appreciate one’s greatness after they’re dead or gone’ is made irrelevant in Rwanda where the people clearly recognize President Kagame’s greatness while he is still with them and take pleasure in every opportunity they get to celebrate him and his work for the nation; Friday was. Congratulations Mr. President. Congratulations Rwandans.

Opinions

As Kagame took oath on Friday, citizens too, did