There is nothing as annoying as people who seem to think they are above the rest, that they know best and expect you to toe the line. That is exactly the attitude a group of British lawmakers displayed when they wrote to President Paul Kagame seeking the release of two former senior army officers who are on trial. Definitely the lawmakers know very well the separation of powers as it also happens in their country. But even then, their case is still in court, therefore, it is sub judice, to say the least. But to suggest to a sovereign power that it interferes with its judiciary is not only patronising—it is insulting. The British MPs must have been born in the wrong era when Europeans leaders ordered their African counterparts to jump only to be asked “how high?”, on that one, they have hit a brick wall. In writing to President Kagame, they must have believed they wielded some fair amount of clout, that they could compel an African leader to do their bidding. If they believe they have those kinds of capabilities they could put them to better use. They could, for example, bear upon their judiciary to expedite investigations and bring to book several people implicated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who have found a safe haven in Europe. In the meantime, there is one clear lesson the lawmakers can go home with; this country does not succumb to pressure in whatever form and it is not about to do so right now. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
