When the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) halted the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda's national treasury was empty, having been looted by the previous government.
At that time, 90% of Rwanda's development relied on foreign aid. However, the government set a clear goal to break free from this dependency.
In an interview with American journalist Mario Nawfall, Kagame revealed that some international organizations wanted refugee camps in both eastern Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Rwanda to remain, ensuring continued financial flows for their operations.
However, Rwanda prioritized repatriating refugees, resettling displaced citizens, and securing national stability to focus on development.
Initially, much of Rwanda's reconstruction was funded by aid, but Kagame insisted that donor support should be aligned with the country's priorities.
He explained that Rwanda made it clear that aid should be used effectively, rather than being dictated solely by donor interests.
When asked whether aid comes with hidden costs, Kagame acknowledged that it can function like a liability, depending on how it is managed.
'That has been our position from the beginning. We have told people that we appreciate aid, we needed it and still need it to an extent, but we need it so that we build capacities not to need it in the near future,' he stated.
Kagame explained that this perspective has not always been well received by other African leaders.
'These discussions have dominated for many years, and many conversations we have had between those who need support. The question for us has always been, we need it. We can put a debt to it, we can show where we need it but we also work out how to get out of it,' he stated.
Kagame highlighted that Rwanda's stance on aid has attracted a lot of problems, with some branding its leadership as arrogant,insensitive or dictatorial simply for advocating self-determination.
He further explained that accepting aid indefinitely allows donors to control a nation's policies.
'We tried to differentiate it. It is not that we don't want aid for the sake of not wanting it. We are saying aid creates dependency. By the way, dependency is on the better side even. The other one is whoever gives you aid controls your life,' he said.
'In fact, that is why they want you to stay with aid so that they continue controlling your life and even threaten, use it as a tool to direct you where they want you to go. You keep threatening, if you don't do this, we will switch off. It is absolutely weaponized. Quote me on that,' added Kagame.
Kagame recalled a 1998 meeting with European ministers who wanted to dictate where Rwanda should allocate aid funds.
As Vice President at the time, he insisted that donors agree on priorities with Rwanda rather than unilaterally deciding how funds would be spent.
The UK and three allied nations accepted this approach, allowing for a more transparent aid process with mutual accountability.
Kagame also recounted Rwanda's decision to restrict second-hand clothing imports to promote local textile industries.
While serving as Chair of the East African Community (EAC), he urged regional leaders to support local garment production instead of relying on imported used clothes.
Leaders agreed to impose higher tariffs on second-hand clothing to reduce imports and build our textile industry.
However, the U.S. opposed the move, pressuring EAC countries to maintain CAGUWA imports.
Under pressure, most member states abandoned the plan, but Rwanda stood firm, leading to its removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Despite such challenges, Rwanda's economy has consistently grown at an annual rate of over 8%. The country's per capita income has risen from $111 in 1994 to $1,040 in 2023, reflecting its commitment to self-sufficiency and sustainable development.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/whoever-gives-you-aid-controls-your-life-kagame
