Umushyikirano is an eye opener

Editor,Allow me to express my genuine opinion about Rwanda. I have been in this country for about six months now. I have seen how much development the people of Rwanda are enjoying under the current government. I don’t know what the situation was before 1994.But I am pretty sure that a government that killed its people was certainly in no position to deliver the public goods either. Therefore, my impression is that the genocidal government was only spending much of its time plotting how to eliminate a section of the population and perceived political opponents.Yet this wicked way of consolidating power in a small group of extremists did not stop the RPF liberators from taking power and rescuing the people from the claws of a genocidal regime.The world might not recognize the RPF for that insurmountable bravery but I’m pretty sure the people of Rwanda do appreciate.This brings me to the second point. No doubt, RPF government has delivered to the people beyond everyone’s expectations, surprising even the meanest of their critics.But this week I saw something very unique and which, in my view, is the magic behind Rwanda’s success in recent years. It is the Umushyikirano, a Kinyarwanda term close to dialogue, which refers to an annual meeting between leaders and the led. But in the local dialect, Umushyikirano is more than just dialogue; it embodies gentleness, tolerance, self-assessment and owning up to mistakes when need be.Yesterday I followed as ordinary people called in and sent text messages, questioning their leaders, both at the district and national level, and demanding that action be taken with immediate effect. It was on Day I of this year’s Umushyikirano.The President was chairing this event and looked keen on ensuring his captains indeed solved the issues raised. These telephone calls and text messages came in live, without censure. I wondered whether such a forum exists anywhere else, even in the so-called developed democracies.As I watched, I concluded that this openness and commitment to deliver to the people, followed by concrete action, is what has made President Kagame and his government so popular among the Rwandan people and possibly unpopular in some circles abroad.Like the President said, some people out there don’t think Africans deserve leaders who care for them and serve them faithfully.Umushyikirano has truly cemented my admiration for this government and country.God bless Rwanda.Allan SmithKigali

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Umushyikirano is an eye opener