During a campaign rally that concluded at the Gahanga site in Kicukiro District on July 13, 2024, Kagame told Rwandans that the achievements of the past 30 years were the result of collective efforts.
The rally was attended by thousands, mostly members of RPF Inkotanyi. Kagame highlighted that the high turnout at various campaign sites was a sign of Rwanda's resilience and recovery.
He said, "I am very grateful for how many of you came, but it's not just the numbers; it's a sign of numerous and significant achievements. Therefore, the 30-year journey we've traveled, and where we stand now, is truly a testament to Rwanda's recovery, becoming a Rwanda for all Rwandans, united as one. To put it in a Rwandan proverb, what was once a trickle has become an ocean. The rest is a political achievement."
The RPF Inkotanyi candidate addressed foreigners from some countries who do not understand the high participation of Rwandans in such events. He said that if they truly knew Rwanda, they would not criticize its democracy.
"That is why many do not understand, especially those outside, who are not Rwandans, when they speak of Rwanda. If you don't know Rwanda, I can't blame you. But if you want to talk about Rwanda, you should know it. In the past, Rwandans were united, not without differences, but when it came to being Rwandan, they were one. For many years, we were not united, but now we are one again."
Kagame explained that the turnout in the campaign activities symbolized the unity of Rwandans, a collective goal to build their country without leaving anyone behind. This is further reinforced by the eight political parties that joined RFP in supporting a single presidential candidate.
To foreigners who don't understand, Kagame explained that many come from countries with only two political parties that alternate in power but expect Africa to have countless parties.
"Where all this comes from, they deceive us. Because there are countries with two parties that alternate in power, one staying in power for a long time until the other replaces it. But when it comes to Africa, to Rwanda, they tell us that there should be many parties without limit, while they have only two that alternate, sometimes combining into one with a common goal of harming other countries, often acting maliciously, not benevolently."
He explained that the RPF Inkotanyi's broad support from Rwandans reflects their choice to live according to their own will, following a history of hardship before the past 30 years, and that no one else should determine their way of life.
"The reason for this achievement is finding our solutions as Rwandans, reaching this point, making people feel that we have become what they did not want. But in this world, although it's common, Rwanda chose to be as we want, not as someone else would dictate. This is not just my understanding, it's not just RPF that understands this. It's all of you, all of us, even those not in RPF."
"When they see you go to 17-18 places, each with no fewer than 200,000 people, reaching up to 500,000 or more like today, this cannot be fabricated unity, fabricated joy, fabricated numbers, unless you're insane. But even if such fabrication exists, I always tell them, they tried and failed to get people!"
The RPF Inkotanyi candidate highlighted that Rwanda's development over the past 30 years is evident and cannot be fabricated, nor would it serve any purpose to do so. "What others say about us, don't let it distract you. It doesn't kill, poverty kills, insecurity kills, bad politics kills. But bad-mouthing doesn't kill. Instead, those involved in bad-mouthing us are the ones killed by sadness. What can I say! Moreover, those people are very few, they are ignorant. What they don't know, what they should know, is that for the past 30 years until today, the more they do these things to us, the stronger we become!"
Rwandans living abroad will vote on July 14, 2024. Those in Rwanda will vote on July 15, starting at 7 AM until 3 PM, as disclosed by the National Electoral Commission.
IGIHE
