The law of the jungle in international affairs

In modern democracies, the principle of presumption of innocence is a sacred tenet that most governments include in their legal codes.This principle assumes that one is considered innocent until the courts of law have proven otherwise, arguably one of the most important pillars of any jurisprudence in modern country Yet, much as we cherish this principle and look to it as a key safeguard against injustice, we are treated to scenes where the values espoused by this principle are simply reduced into a mockery by the very founders of this philosophy of law. No better way to explain this than looking at the recent decisions taken by our donor friends.There’s no doubt that it is within their right to open or close aid taps. The problem is the basis for this move and how unjust it is.Rwanda has laboured to explain the inaccuracies and pile of lies contained in the infamous report of Group of Experts. Central to this, is the fact that Rwanda as the accused, was never given chance to respond to the accusations before landing in the hands of the UNSC.Rwanda has also gone an extra mile to show the bias of some individuals involved in drafting the infamous report like the lead investigator Mr. Steve Hege whose love affair with the FDLR is now an open secret.In fact, drawing from his love notes on FDLR, Mr. Hege should be regarded as an accomplice to the crisis as opposed to a neutral expert. His only expertise on issues of the Great Lakes has been defending a terrorist group that is the root cause of the problem.Therefore, for our donor friends to base their aid decisions on such flimsy accusations is simply a mockery of what defines international relations. It amounts to what President Paul Kagame describes as the use of the ‘juggle law’ in shaping international affairs.Simply because the authors of this report single-handed indicted, tried and convicted Rwanda without giving this nation any chance to respond to the accusations. They were the prosecutors, defense counsel and judges at the same time.Rwanda has brought out all the truth regarding this crisis, including a chronological account of the kind of interventions Kigali made to try and avert the conflict before it turned out into a crisis.As has been mentioned by President Kagame, some of these interventions included his repeated phone calls to President Joseph Kabila and the subsequent high-level meetings between senior government officials from both sides – all with the aim of finding an amicable settlement to the conflict.I have not heard anyone from Kinshasa contest or deny that these attempts were indeed made prior to the crisis. Nor have I heard any member of the international community dispute these facts.Instead what Rwanda gets in turn as a reward for this goodwill gesture, is treating this country in a manner that demonstrates how indeed, the law of the juggle has taken precedence.No attempt whatsoever of trying to listen. No attempt of giving Rwanda the benefit of doubt and listen to what it has to say about the accusations and make conclusions based on a fair ground.What we are instead treated to, is a race to cut or hold aid based on an interim report whose content is as clear as mud and whose bias in seen from the love affair between Mr. Hege and the terrorist group FDLR.But let facts be told as they are. Rwanda’s crime is not necessarily the Congo crisis. Rwanda’s crime is trying to raise its head to speak the truth. Rwanda is guilty of refusing to be bullied and failing to worship some powers as its divine creators. Rwanda is refusing to be the ‘African’ that it is supposed to be. For this, it has to be reminded in a bitter way that you are African and therefore words like dignity or agaciro do not belong to your vocabulary.This is why as Rwanda has been labouring to explain itself, the response from these foreign powers has been “humble yourselves” or ‘musabwe kwifata neza.’ Meaning that if we have said you are a sinner, simply confess even if you are as holy as one-day old child.But for how long are we going to be submissive to this kind of injustice? The answer again lies in what President Kagame said, “your attitude will determine your altitude.”If you think you belong to the abyss, then that’s exactly where you belong. But if you stand up for your dignity, ‘agaciro’ – the fight might be tough but is certainly worth every energy.Today, Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF) will be launched. The significance of this initiative is not necessarily the funds that will be mobilised. It’s a reflection of how Rwandans have become one proud lot and will go an extra mile to jealously guard their new found dignity.The motivation behind this initiative is as inspirational as the journey this country has undertaken over the past 18 years.On twitter @asiimwe

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The law of the jungle in international affairs