Beyond the celebratory mood that characterized the event, the attendance of Heads of State and Governments from 24 African countries was the most noteworthy and outstanding observation. Although it is common for heads of state to attend presidential inauguration ceremonies, the high turnout of African heads of state is significant in the context of Rwanda's diplomacy.
Traditionally, African countries have prioritized Western nations in their foreign relations for obvious reasons such as colonial legacies, economic assistance, and political influence.
Rwanda was no different. However, in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country, under the leadership of President Kagame, has pursued a different approach of South-to-South Cooperation in Africa. This approach places Rwanda's relations with fellow African countries at the center of its international affairs.
Despite being a small, landlocked country, Rwanda has extended its political and military support to other African nations. Rwanda is now a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with its troops participating in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Bilaterally, Rwanda has also sent troops to Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique to stabilize the region affected by terrorism and insecurity.
Several African countries have been sending their delegates to Kigali to learn from Rwanda's development in governance, ICT, healthcare, agriculture, anti-corruption efforts, and post-conflict reconstruction, to name but a few. Such efforts, coupled with President Kagame's prominent stature on the continent, position Rwanda as a country capable of projecting its influence beyond its borders.
During his inauguration speech, President Kagame reminded his listeners that 'there is no longer room for the powerful to impose their vision about how others ought to live, or to create narratives that falsify the truth. This must always be resisted, even when under pressure.' This was Kagame's call for self-reliance, a theme that Rwandans are familiar with.
Over the last thirty years, the Rwandan government has promoted the concept of Home Grown Solutions, encouraging Rwandans to be self-reliant and leaders to be accountable to the people. A close look at Rwanda-Africa relations suggests an attempt to promote the same values of self-reliance and accountability beyond Rwanda's borders.
In the same speech, Kagame said, "We Africans are people who have consistently fought injustice. We don't need any lessons about how best to do so. And we must all humbly acknowledge the necessity to adapt our political and governance systems to our specific conditions and the expectations of our citizens."
President Kagame has been vocal and proactive in calling out African heads of state who wait on the West for solutions to their problems. His confidence in Africans' ability to solve Africa's problems stems from his own country's experiences. Rwanda's reconstruction and development have earned Kagame the legitimacy to speak to and on behalf of Africa about its potential.
Rwanda has not only managed to grow its image and influence in Africa; but also has embarked on an ambitious journey to use African multilateralism to create a more robust and integrated Africa. It is still too early to say whether Rwanda will be successful in its attempt, but it is evident that Rwanda strengthened its political ties with many African countries in the process, as observed at Kagame's inauguration.
The writer is a Learning Coach at the African Leadership University with BA in International Studies from Yonsei University and MA in China Studies (Politics and International Relations) from Yenching Academy of Peking University.
Claudine Ukubereyimfura
Source : https://en.igihe.com/opinion/article/rwanda-s-evolving-diplomacy-in-africa
