Paul Kagame

Paul Kagame (/kəˈɡɑːmeɪ/ ⓘ kə-GAH-may; born 23 October 1957) be Rwandan politician plus former soldier wey don dey serve as President of Rwanda since 2000. Before that, e be commander for Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), wey be rebel force wey invade Rwanda for 1990. De RPF be one of de main sides for Rwandan Civil War, plus na dem end de 1994 Rwandan genocide. After all dat, e come turn de person wey dey run tins behind de scenes as Vice President plus Minister of Defence under President Pasteur Bizimungu, until dem elect am as Rwanda ein 4th president for 2000, wey dem take cancel de vice-presidential post.

Kagame be Tutsi wey dem born for southern Rwanda, but ein family run go Uganda when e be two years old. E grow up for there while de Rwandan Revolution dey happen, wey end de Tutsi demma power for politics. For 1980s inside, Kagame join Yoweri Museveni ein rebel army fight, and after plenty military wins wey carry Museveni go become Uganda ein president, Kagame turn senior officer for Ugandan army. Later e join RPF and take over control after de leader before, Fred Rwigyema, die on de second day of de 1990 invasion. By 1993, de RPF take control over big part of Rwanda, and dem arrange ceasefire. But when dem kill Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana, e spark de genocide, wey Hutu extremists kill like 500,000 to 800,000 Tutsi plus moderate Hutu. Kagame start de civil war again after dat and finish am by winning military victory, wey end de genocide.

As Kagame dey vice president, e control de national army plus e be de one wey dey make sure say de government hold ein power, while other officials dey try rebuild de country. Plenty RPF soldiers go do revenge killings. Kagame talk say e no support dat kind killings, but e no stop am too. Hutu refugee camps start dey pop up for Zaire plus other countries, and RPF attack some of dem camps for 1996, but insurgents still dey attack Rwanda. As part of de invasion move, Kagame back two rebel wars wey happen for Zaire. Rebels wey Rwanda plus Uganda support win de first war (1996–97), come install Laurent-Désiré Kabila as president make e replace Mobutu Sese Seko, de dictator. Dem come change Zaire ein name back to how e be before Mobutu—Democratic Republic of de Congo (DRC). Then second war start for 1998 against Kabila, and later ein son Joseph, after DRC government sack Rwandan plus Ugandan soldiers from de country. De war turn big gbege wey no calm down till peace deal plus ceasefire reach for 2003.

Bizimungu step down for 2000, and e be like say dem force am, after e fall out plus de RPF. Na Kagame take over from am. Later, dem carry Bizimungu go prison for corruption plus stirring ethnic violence, but human rights people talk say de charges be political move. People dey see Kagame ein rule as authoritarian, and human rights groups dey talk say e dey suppress opposition. People wey dey look de regime from outside get mixed opinion. But as president, Kagame make national development ein top priority—e bring in plenty programs wey boost healthcare, education, plus economic growth. E get better relations plus de East African Community plus United States; but ein relationship plus France no be good till 2009. Even though dem get ceasefire for 2003, relations plus DRC still dey rough. Human rights groups plus one leaked UN report talk say Rwanda dey support two rebel groups for DRC, but Kagame deny dat matter. Because of dis, some countries stop demma aid for 2012. Since e take power, Kagame win four presidential elections, but international observers no rate any of dem as free or fair. People dey argue too say e get hand inside some killings of exiled political opponents, wey bring controversy.

 Early life 
Dem born Kagame on 23 October 1957, as de last born insyd six children, for one village dem dey call Tambwe, for Ruanda-Urundi, a place wey dey insyd now dem dey call de Southern Province of Rwanda. Ein poppie, Deogratias Rutagambwa, be Tutsi person—na from dat ethnic group de royal family don come since 18th century or even before. Deogratias, wey be member of de Bega clan, get family link plus King Mutara III, but instead make he stay close to de royal court, he choose to do ein own business. However, Rutagambwa ein uncle, Rwubusisi, be one powerful and well-known politician. Kagame ein mommie, Asteria Bisinda, be descendant from de family of de last Rwandan queen, Rosalie Gicanda, from de Hebera branch of de royal Nyiginya clan.

At de time wey Kagame take born, Rwanda be United Nations Trust Territory, wey Belgium don dey rule in different ways since 1916, under dem mandate to take supervise how independence go come. Rwandans dem consist of three different groups: de Tutsi, wey be minority, be de traditional ruling class, and de Belgian colonial administration long time promote Tutsi supremacy. De majority group, Hutu, be people wey dey farm. De third group, wey dem dey call Twa, be pygmy people wey dey live for forest, wey come from Rwanda ein first people, and dem be less than 1% of de population.

Tension between Tutsi den Hutu start rise during de 1950s, den e end up insyd de 1959 Rwandan Revolution. Hutu activists start kill Tutsi people, wey make more than 100,000 Tutsi run go seek safety insyd neighbouring countries. Kagame ein family lef dem house den live for two years insyd northeastern Rwanda, before dem finally cross de border go Uganda. Dem move small small go north, den for 1962, dem settle insyd Nshungerezi refugee camp for de Toro sub-region. Na around dis same time Kagame first meet Fred Rwigyema, wey later become leader for de Rwandan Patriotic Front.

Kagame start ein primary school for one school close to de refugee camp, where he den other Rwandan refugees learn how to speak English den start blend insyd Ugandan culture. When he reach nine years, he move go Rwengoro Primary School, wey dem respect well, around 16 kilometres from de camp. After dat, he go Ntare School, one of de top schools insyd Uganda, wey be de same school future Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni go. According to Kagame, ein poppie ein death for early 1970s den de way Rwigyema comot go one place dem no know, cause am make ein school performance drop den make he start dey fight people wey dey look down on Rwandans. Later, dem suspend am from Ntare, den he finish ein studies for Old Kampala Secondary School.

After he finish ein education, Kagame do two visits go Rwanda, for 1977 den 1978. At first, family members of ein former classmates host am, but as he reach insyd Kigali, he connect plus ein own family people. He keep ein profile low during dem visits, as he believe say as he be well-connected Tutsi exile, dem fit arrest am. For de second visit, he enter de country through Zaire instead of Uganda to avoid make people suspect am. Kagame take dat time wey he spend for Rwanda explore de country, get used to de political den social condition, den build links wey later help am for ein future plans.

 Military career, 1979–1994 

 Ugandan Bush War 
For 1978, Fred Rwigyema return go western Uganda den reconnect plus Kagame. As he no dey around, Rwigyema join de rebel army wey Yoweri Museveni lead. Dem base for Tanzania, wey dem plan to overthrow de Ugandan government under Idi Amin. Rwigyema go back Tanzania den fight for de 1979 war, where Museveni ein rebel group, FRONASA, join body plus Tanzanian army den other Ugandan exiles, take defeat Amin. After Amin fall, Kagame den other Rwandan refugees give loyalty to Museveni, wey don become cabinet member insyd de new transition government. Kagame later go get military training for United States Army Command den General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

De former president Milton Obote win de 1980 Ugandan general election. Museveni no agree say de result be fair, so he den ein people pull out from de new government as protest. For 1981, Museveni form de rebel Popular Resistance Army (PRA); Kagame den Rwigyema join as founding soldiers, plus 38 other Ugandans. De goal of de army be to overthrow Obote ein government—dis movement later turn into wetin people dey call de Ugandan Bush War. Kagame take part insyd de Battle of Kabamba, wey be PRA ein first operation, for February 1981.

Kagame den Rwigyema join de PRA mainly to make life better for Rwandan refugees wey Obote ein regime dey persecute. Dem get long-term plan too—to return go Rwanda plus other Tutsi refugees; de military training dem go get go help dem fit fight de Hutu-controlled Rwandan army. De PRA join another rebel group for June 1981, den together dem form de National Resistance Army (NRA). Inside de NRA, Kagame focus on intelligence-gathering, den he climb reach position wey near Museveni ein own. De NRA, wey base dey insyd de Luwero Triangle, fight Ugandan army for five more years, even after Obote lose ein power through coup d'état for 1985 den peace talks start.

For 1986, de NRA capture Kampala plus 14,000 soldiers, including 500 Rwandans, den dem form new government. After Museveni take office as president, he appoint Kagame den Rwigyema as senior officers insyd de new Ugandan army; Kagame be de head for military intelligence. For one 2018 paper, Canadian scholar den Rwanda expert Gerald Caplan talk say dis appointment be big achievement for person wey be foreigner den refugee. Caplan talk say Museveni get reputation for being tough, den say Kagame too for be tough like am before he fit get dat kind post. He come talk say military intelligence work no be soft thing, so e no go realistic to believe say Kagame no take part for de "unsavory activities" wey military security dey do. Aside dem army duty, Kagame den Rwigyema start build secret network of Rwandan Tutsi refugees inside de army ranks, as plan for future attack go Rwanda. By 1989, Rwanda ein President Habyarimana den plenty Ugandans insyd de army start criticize Museveni because he dey give top posts to Rwandan refugees. As result, Museveni demote Kagame den Rwigyema.

Kagame den Rwigyema still remain de facto senior officers, but de change push dem make dem fast-track dem plans to invade Rwanda. Dem join one organisation dem dey call de Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), wey be refugee group wey don dey operate under different names since 1979. Rwigyema become de RPF leader shortly after he join, den while still dey serve insyd de Ugandan army, he plus Kagame finish plan de invasion.

 Rwandan Civil War 
Insyd October 1990, Rwigyema lead over 4,000 RPF rebels enter Rwanda through de Kagitumba border post, den dem advance 60 kilometres go south reach de town of Gabiro. Kagame no dey insyd de early stage of de attack, as he dey United States, attend de Command plus General Staff College for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. On de second day of de invasion, Rwigyema get shot for ein head den he die. De exact way wey e happen still dey bring argument; de official explanation from Kagame ein government, plus de one wey historian Gérard Prunier write for ein 1995 book, be say stray bullet na e kill Rwigyema.

Inside ein 2009 book Africa's World War, Prunier talk say na Rwigyema ein subcommander Peter Bayingana kill am after dem get wahala over tactics. According to dat story, Bayingana plus anoda subcommander, Chris Bunyenyezi, later get executed under Museveni ein orders. But for one 2005 talk wey Prunier get plus Caplan, he give anoda version—say de people wey kill Bayingana den Bunyenyezi na Kagame bring dem. Caplan talk say de story still no clear because proper research no dey, but if e true, then dis “tales of death den intrigue” show one more angle inside Kagame ein character. Rwigyema ein death throw de RPF into serious confusion. France plus Zaire send demma own forces come support de Rwandan army, den by end of October, dem push RPF back go de far northeast corner of de country.

Kagame come back to Africa den take command of de RPF forces, wey dem reduce to less than 2,000 soldiers. Kagame plus ein soldiers move go west, pass through Uganda, enter de Virunga Mountains—one rugged high-altitude place wey de land conditions favour dem. From there, he re-arm den re-organise de army, den do fundraising plus recruit people from de Tutsi diaspora. Insyd January 1991, Kagame restart de fight, begin with attack for de northern town of Ruhengeri. As dem take people by surprise, de RPF capture de town den hold am for one day before dem retreat go back insyd de forests.

For de next year, de RPF fight guerilla war wey be hit-and-run style, capture some border places but no really get big win against de Rwandan army. Dis actions cause around 300,000 Hutu people to run comot from dem areas. Prunier write for 1995 say de RPF surprise say Hutu farmers "no show excitement for being 'liberated' by dem". But for her 2018 book In Praise of Blood, Canadian journalist Judi Rever talk say some witnesses claim say e be de RPF wey force de people to run, through attack on villages, laying landmines den even shooting children. Caplan ein paper question whether some of de witnesses wey Rever talk to really be credible, but he still point say "plenty anoda sources besides Rever confirm say RPF do war crimes".

After dem form multi-party coalition government for Kigali for June 1992, Kagame announce ceasefire den start negotiations plus de Rwandan government for Arusha, Tanzania. But for early 1993, some extremist Hutu groups come form den begin serious violence against Tutsi people. Kagame respond by pausing de peace talks small, den launch big attack, wey make de RPF capture large area for de northern part of de country.

Peace talks start again for Arusha, den de final agreement dem reach—wey dem call de Arusha Accords—get signed for August 1993. Inside de agreement, de RPF get positions inside one broad-based transitional government (BBTG), den demma place too inside de national army. De United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), wey be peacekeeping team, come arrive, den dem give RPF base inside de national parliament building for Kigali to use during de setup of de BBTG.

 Rwandan genocide 
Main article: Rwandan genocide

On 6 April 1994, Rwandan President Habyarimana ein plane get shot down near Kigali Airport, wey kill both Habyarimana den de President of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, plus demma entourage den three French crew members. De people wey do de attack still remain unknown. For ein 1995 book, Prunier talk say e most likely be coup d'état wey some extreme Hutu members from Habyarimana ein government plan, as dem fear say de president really wan follow de Arusha agreement, den say dis act be part of de planned genocide. But dis theory get challenge for 2006 by one French judge, Jean-Louis Bruguière, den again for 2008 by Spanish judge Fernando Andreu. Both of dem talk say na Kagame plus de RPF be de ones responsible.

Rever too hold Kagame responsible, say ein motive be to throw Rwanda insyd confusion so dat de RPF go get platform to finish dem plan to take over de whole country. Later for 2018, Caplan check de two arguments den question de evidence wey Bruguière den Rever use, say people don discredit am plenty times because of ein bad method den de way e depend on sources wey don split badly plus Kagame. Caplan also point say extremist Hutu people already make plenty threats before to kill Habyarimana for demma journals den radio stations, den eyewitnesses talk say roadblocks get set up for Kigali den killings start within one hour after de crash—dis be sign say de plane shooting na de start of de genocide wey dem plan.

After Habyarimana ein death, one military committee wey Colonel Théoneste Bagosora lead take quick control of de country. Under de committee ein orders, de Hutu militia Interahamwe plus de Presidential Guard start kill Hutu den Tutsi opposition politicians den other top Tutsi people. After dat, de killers turn target de whole Tutsi population, plus moderate Hutu too, wey be de beginning of de Rwandan genocide. For around 100 days, dem estimate say between 206,000 to 800,000 Tutsi den moderate Hutu die under de committee ein orders. On 7 April, Kagame give warning to de committee plus UNAMIR say he go restart de civil war if dem no stop de killings.

De next day, Rwandan government forces attack de national parliament building from different directions, but de RPF soldiers wey dey station there fight back successfully. Kagame start ein own attack from de north on three fronts, wey aim to link up quick plus de troops wey dey isolated insyd Kigali. Dem set up one interim government but Kagame no gree talk to dem, as he believe say dat one just be cover for Bagosora ein rule. Over de next few days, RPF move steady go south, capture Gabiro den large areas of countryside for de north den east of Kigali. Dem no attack Kigali or Byumba at dat stage, but dem do movements to circle de cities den block supply routes.

All through April, UNAMIR try many times to get ceasefire, but every time Kagame talk say de RPF no go stop de fight unless de killings stop. For late April, RPF take control of de whole Tanzanian border area den start dey move west from Kibungo, wey dey south of Kigali. Dem no face much resistance, apart from de areas around Kigali den Ruhengeri. By 16 May, dem cut de road between Kigali den Gitarama, wey be de temporary place wey de interim government stay, den by 13 June, dem take Gitarama after Rwandan government forces fail to open de road again. De interim government come move go Gisenyi, wey dey far northwest. As de war still dey go on, Kagame dey recruit plenty to make de army grow. De new recruits be Tutsi people wey survive de genocide plus refugees from Burundi, but dem no get de same training or discipline like de ones wey join earlier.

After Kagame complete de circle around Kigali, he spend de second half of June dey fight to take over de city. Even though government forces get more soldiers den better weapons, de RPF still dey win territory small small, den dem do raids to rescue civilians wey dey trapped behind enemy lines. Roméo Dallaire, wey be UNAMIR ein force commander, talk say de success be because Kagame be “master of psychological warfare”; he take advantage of de fact say government forces dey focus on de genocide instead of de war for Kigali, den use de way dem morale drop to gain more ground. De RPF finally beat de Rwandan government forces insyd Kigali on 4 July, den on 18 July dem take Gisenyi plus de rest of de northwest, wey make de interim government run enter Zaire, wey bring de genocide to end. By de end of July 1994, Kagame ein forces control de whole of Rwanda except one area wey dey southwest, wey French-led United Nations team occupy under wetin dem call Opération Turquoise.

Kagame ein tactics plus actions during de genocide still cause controversy. Some Western people like Dallaire den Luc Marchal, wey be senior Belgian peacekeeper for Rwanda at dat time, talk say de RPF care more about taking power pass saving lives or stopping de genocide. Scholars too believe say de RPF kill plenty Rwandan civilians, mostly Hutu, during de genocide plus even months after. Dem estimate say de number of people wey die fit be tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. For her book Leave None to Tell de Story: Genocide insyd Rwanda wey she write for Human Rights Watch, Rwanda expert Alison des Forges talk say although de RPF save many lives, dem “relentlessly go after people dem believe say be guilty of genocide,” den say “for de sake of military win plus ending de genocide, de RPF kill thousands, including people wey no dey fight, government troops, plus militia members.”

De Organisation of African Unity document human rights abuses wey de RPF do during de genocide for one 2000 report, den Prunier too write am for Africa’s World War. Inside one interview plus journalist Stephen Kinzer, Kagame admit say killings happen, but he talk say rogue soldiers do dem, den say e no dey possible to control dem all. De RPF killings continue after de genocide end—de one wey make international people notice na de 1995 Kibeho massacre, wey soldiers shoot people inside one camp for internally displaced persons for Butare Province. Australian soldiers wey dey serve under UNAMIR estimate say at least 4,000 people die, but de Rwandan government talk say de death toll be 338.

 Vice President den Minister of Defence 
After de genocide, de new Rwandan government take over office for Kigali inside July 1994. Dem base am loosely on de Arusha Accords, but Habyarimana ein party, MRND, get banned. De positions wey MRND suppose hold, de RPF take dem over. De military wing of de RPF change name to Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), wey come turn de national army. Paul Kagame take two roles—Vice President of Rwanda den Minister of Defence—while Pasteur Bizimungu, one Hutu wey work as civil servant under Habyarimana before he run go join de RPF, get appointed as president. Bizimungu plus ein cabinet get small control over home affairs, but Kagame still be commander-in-chief of de army den actually be de one wey run de country. German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle talk say "Bizimungu be like placeholder for Kagame" in de way people see am.

 Domestic situation 
De genocide spoil de whole infrastructure den economy of de country bad. Plenty buildings no fit be used again, den de people wey rule before carry all de money plus demma movable things run when dem flee. Human power too short well-well, as over 40% of de population either die or run comot. Many people wey remain get serious trauma; most of dem lose family members, see people dey killed, or even take part inside de killings. Kagame hold control over de national army den e job be to make sure de government power stay strong, while de other government officials start rebuild de country.

Non-governmental organisations start return back to de country, den de international community spend US$1.5 billion on humanitarian help between July den December 1994. But Prunier talk say dis money “no really connect to de true economic needs of de community.” Kagame try make de government look inclusive den no be like say e dey dominated by Tutsi. He order make dem remove ethnicity from citizens demma national ID cards, den de government start policy to make de difference between Hutu, Tutsi den Twa people no be something wey dem dey push again.

De unity government start break small for 1995. De violence wey still dey go on, plus de way dem appoint local government officials wey mostly be RPF Tutsi, cause big disagreement between Kagame den some top Hutu government members like prime minister Faustin Twagiramungu den interior minister Seth Sendashonga. Twagiramungu resign for August, den de next day, Kagame sack Sendashonga plus three anoda people. Pasteur Bizimungu still remain president, but de new government now be mostly RPF Tutsi people loyal to Kagame.

After dem comot from de government, Twagiramungu den Sendashonga move go abroad go form new opposition party. Sendashonga, wey also talk say dem for punish rogue RPF soldiers wey dey kill people, go settle for Kenya. After one attempt to kill am fail for 1996, dem later assassinate am for Nairobi for May 1998, when dem shoot inside UN vehicle wey he dey inside. Plenty observers believe say na Kagame order de killing; Caplan talk say “de RPF deny any responsibility, wey nobody apart from demma die-hard followers believe.”

 Refugee crisis den insurgency 
After de RPF win, about two million Hutu people run go refugee camps for neighbouring countries, especially Zaire, as dem fear say de RPF go take revenge for de Rwandan genocide. De camps get set up by de United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but na de army den government of de old Hutu regime take control dem—inside include plenty people wey lead de genocide. Dis same regime dey eager to come back to power for Rwanda, so dem start rearm, kill Tutsi people wey dey stay for Zaire, plus launch attacks cross de border with support from de Interahamwe paramilitary group. By late 1996, de Hutu militants turn serious threat to de new Rwandan government, so Kagame launch one counterattack.

Kagame first provide soldiers plus military training to help one rebellion against Zaire by de Banyamulenge, one Tutsi group wey dey live near Bukavu for South Kivu province insyd Zaire. Plus support from de Rwandan army, de Banyamulenge defeat local security forces den start attack de Hutu refugee camps wey dey that area. Same time, Kagame ein forces join body plus Zairian Tutsi people wey dey around Goma to attack two of de camps wey dey there. Most of de refugees wey dey inside de camps wey dem attack run go settle for one big place dem dey call Mugunga camp. For November 1996, Rwandan army attack Mugunga, wey cause about 800,000 refugees to scatter. Some go back to Rwanda even though de RPF still dey control, anoda group move go further west inside Zaire.

Even though dem disband de camps, de forces from de old regime wey dem defeat still continue cross-border attacks into Rwanda from North Kivu. De insurgents remain inside Rwanda ein northwestern regions den get support from plenty Hutu people wey used to dey inside de refugee camps before de attacks. As Kagame dey support de wars wey dey happen for Congo, he start one propaganda campaign to pull de Hutu people come ein side. He put former soldiers from de genocidal regime ein army inside de RPF-controlled national army, den also appoint top Hutu people take government positions inside de areas wey insurgency dey worry. These methods work well—by 1999, de people wey dey north west stop dey support de insurgents, den most of de rebels get defeat.

 Congo wars 
Even though Kagame ein main reason for military action inside Zaire be to break down de refugee camps, he also start dey plan one war to remove longtime dictator President Mobutu Sese Seko from power. Mobutu support de genocidaires wey dey hide inside de camps, plus people accuse am say he allow attacks on Tutsi people wey dey live inside Zaire. Kagame come join body plus Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni take support one new rebel group dem call de Alliance of Democratic Forces for de Liberation of Congo (ADFL). Dis be one alliance of four rebel groups wey Laurent-Désiré Kabila lead, den dem start fight de First Congo War.

De ADFL, plus help from Rwandan den Ugandan soldiers, take control of North den South Kivu provinces for November 1996. From there, dem move west, dey take land from de Zairian army wey no really get organisation or morale to fight back. By May 1997, dem control almost all of Zaire except de capital, Kinshasa. Mobutu run comot den de ADFL enter de capital without any fight. Dem change de country name to Democratic Republic of de Congo (DRC), den Kabila become de new president. People accuse de Rwandan Defence Forces plus de ADFL say dem commit mass atrocities during de First Congo War—reports talk say as many as 222,000 Rwandan Hutu refugees go missing.

Kagame plus de Rwandan government still hold strong influence over Kabila after dem swear am in, den de Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) keep heavy presence insyd Kinshasa. But people wey dey de capital no happy about dis, same as many for eastern Kivu provinces, where ethnic fights increase sharp sharp. For July 1998, Kabila sack ein Rwandan chief-of-staff, James Kabarebe, den order all RPA soldiers make dem leave de country. Kagame accuse Kabila say he dey support de rebels wey dey fight Rwanda from North Kivu—na de same thing he talk say Mobutu do. As reply to de way dem drive ein soldiers, Kagame support one new rebel group dem call Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), den from there dem start de Second Congo War.

De first action for de war be one blitzkrieg wey de RCD den RPA launch under de command of Kabarebe. Dem move fast, cover ground from de Kivu provinces go west, reach within 130 kilometres from Kinshasa in just twelve days. But de capital escape capture because Angola, Namibia den Zimbabwe step in to support Kabila. As de blitzkrieg fail, de fight turn into long, serious conventional war wey last till 2003, cause massive destruction plus millions of people die. De International Rescue Committee (IRC) talk say de war kill between 3 million den 7.6 million people, most of dem die from hunger den sickness because of how de war scatter de society.

Even though Kagame ein main reason for de two Congo wars be Rwanda ein security, people accuse am say he make economic gain by tapping into de mineral riches from eastern Congo. One 2001 United Nations report from Panel of Experts talk say Kagame plus Ugandan President Museveni “almost turn godfathers of de illegal exploitation of natural resources den de continued conflict” for de Democratic Republic of de Congo. De same report claim say de Rwandan Ministry of Defence get one “Congo Desk” wey dey collect taxes from companies wey get mining license near Kisangani, den say big amounts of coltan plus diamonds pass through Kigali before dem sell am for de international market by people wey dey work for dis Congo Desk.

One international NGO wey dem call Global Witness do some field studies for early 2013. Dem conclude say minerals from North den South Kivu dey export illegally go Rwanda, then dem dey market am as if e be Rwandan minerals. Kagame reject de allegations, say dem no get evidence and dem be political motivation. For one 2002 interview wey he do plus Africa Confidential newsletter, Kagame talk say if solid evidence against any Rwandan officers come up, de matter go be treated very serious. Then for 2010, United Nations release one report wey accuse de Rwandan army say dem commit large-scale human rights violations plus crimes against humanity inside de Democratic Republic of de Congo during both de First den Second Congo Wars. But de Rwandan government deny all de charges.

 Presidency 

 Accession 
For late 1990s, Kagame start dey clash publicly plus Bizimungu den de Hutu-led government for Rwanda. Kagame accuse Bizimungu say he dey do corruption den poor governance, but Bizimungu feel say he no get power over who dem appoint go de cabinet, den say de Transitional National Assembly just dey act like puppet for Kagame. Bizimungu resign from de presidency for March 2000. Most historians believe say Kagame force Bizimungu to resign after he talk against de National Assembly den try bring confusion inside de RPF. But when Kagame talk to Kinzer, he claim say de news surprise am—say na one friend call am then tell am de “shocking news.” After Bizimungu resign, Rwanda Supreme Court rule say make Kagame act as president until dem choose permanent successor.

Kagame don be de real leader since 1994, but he focus more on military matters, foreign relations den security of de country pass day-to-day running. By 2000, de danger from cross-border rebels don reduce, so when Bizimungu resign, Kagame decide say he go run for president himself. De transitional constitution still dey work by then, wey mean say na government ministers plus de Transitional National Assembly dem elect president, not direct voting by citizens.

De RPF choose two people as candidates—Kagame plus de RPF secretary general Charles Murigande. De ministers den parliament vote, wey Kagame win by eighty-one votes to three. For April 2000, Kagame swear in as president. Around dat same time, some Hutu politicians wey include prime minister Pierre-Célestin Rwigema comot from de government, so de new cabinet now full of people wey dey close to Kagame. Bizimungu come start ein own party for 2001, but Kagame ein government ban am say political campaign no dey allowed under de transitional constitution. De next year, Kagame give public warning to Bizimungu say de government ein patience with ein political moves no be “infinite,” then two weeks later dem arrest am. Later, dem convict am for corruption den inciting ethnic violence—human rights groups talk say de charges be political.

 New constitution 
Between 1994 den 2003, Rwanda dey under some set of documents wey mix President Habyarimana ein 1991 constitution, de Arusha Accords, plus some anoda new protocols wey de transitional government add. As de accords demand, Kagame set up one constitutional commission make dem draft new permanent constitution. De constitution suppose follow some key principles like fair power sharing den democracy. De commission try make sure say de draft constitution go be “home-grown,” make e fit Rwanda ein own needs, den make e show de views of all de people; dem send questions go civil groups all over de country, den dem reject help from international people except for financial support.

Dem release de draft constitution for 2003; parliament approve am, den dem carry am go referendum for May of dat year. De government promote de referendum well-well; in de end, 95% of adults wey fit vote register, den de turnout on voting day be 87%. De people accept de constitution strong, as 93% vote for am. Inside de new constitution, dem set up one two-house parliament, elected president wey go serve seven-year terms, den multi-party politics.

De constitution too try stop any group—Hutu or Tutsi—from dey control political power pass everybody. Article 54 talk say “political organisations no dey allowed to base demselves on race, ethnic group, tribe, clan, region, sex, religion or any anoda division wey fit bring discrimination.” But Human Rights Watch talk say dis clause, plus some anoda laws wey parliament later pass, make Rwanda turn like one-party state, as “under de excuse of stopping anoda genocide, de government no dey tolerate even small small forms of disagreement.”

 Elections den referendum 
Since Kagame climb de presidency seat insyd 2000, ein don face four presidential elections—insyd 2003, 2010, 2017 den 2024. For each of dem elections, dem re-elect am with heavy margin, as e win more than 90 percent of de vote. Referendum wey dem do insyd 2015 for constitutional amendment—wey give Kagame power to contest for anoda terms—sana pass with similar margins. International election monitors, human rights organisations den journalists dey see dem elections like dem no get freedom plus fairness, as Rwandan state enter matter to make sure say Kagame go win. According to Ida Sawyer, Central Africa director for Human Rights Watch, “Rwandans wey try talk or shake status quo, dem arrest dem, dem disappear by force or dem kill dem, independent media no dey talk, den fear don make civil rights or free speech people no dey talk again.” After de 2017 vote, Human Rights Watch bring out proof say some election officials no do well—dem force people to write demma votes where everybody dey see, den dem vote for people wey no show up. De United States Department of State talk say e worry about de irregularities wey dem observe during voting process, plus long-time concern over how dem dey count de votes.

For demma 2018 book How to Rig an Election, political scientists Nic Cheeseman den Brian Klaas talk say journalists ask dem why Kagame go “go through de motions of organizing a national poll wey e already sure say e go win.” De book explain say one of de reasons why dem dey do elections be say elections dey “important to secure base level of international legitimacy,” plus say “if you no even pretend say you dey do elections, dem fit sack you from de African Union.” Law professor den human rights researcher Lars Waldorf write say de way RPF dey control de elections fit be strategy to make dem look strong. Waldorf talk say de party ein big margins of victory “no be to convince anybody; but rather, e dey show potential opponents plus de people say Kagame plus RPF dey totally in charge.” Scholars no dey agree on whether Kagame go still win if e no use tactics to control de elections. Caplan write say, as RPF dey intimidate opposition candidates before elections, “wetin pain pass be say dem no even need all dis wahala to hold power.” But Belgian academic Filip Reyntjens no dey agree, ein point be say “RPF know well say if dem open de political space, e go end up make dem lose power.”

 Presidential election, 2003 
De first election wey happen after di genocide come off insyd August 2003, after dem adopt de new constitution. For May, parliament vote make dem ban Republican Democratic Movement (MDR), after one parliamentary commission report accuse MDR say dem dey preach “divisive” ideology. MDR been be one of de coalition parties wey dey insyd de transitional government of national unity, den be de second-biggest party for de country after RPF. Amnesty International no agree with dat move, dem talk say “de allegations against de people wey dem mention for de report no get foundation, e just be part of one government plan to crackdown on political opposition.” Kagame be RPF ein candidate, den former prime minister Twagiramungu be ein main opponent. Twagiramungu plan say e go contest under MDR, but after dem ban de party, e go run as independent. E come back insyd de country from Europe for June 2003, den start ein campaign for August.

Kagame declare say e win de election just one day after de poll finish, den de National Electoral Commission later confirm ein victory. De final results show say Kagame chop 95.1 percent of de vote, Twagiramungu get 3.6 percent, den de third candidate, Jean Nepomuscene Nayinzira, pull 1.3 percent; voter turnout reach 96.6 percent. De whole campaign, election day plus wetin come after all pass peacefully, but observer from European Union (EU) raise concern say RPF intimidate opposition supporters. Twagiramungu no gree accept de result, den e question de margin of victory, as e talk say, “Almost 100 percent? Dat no be possible.” E take matter go Supreme Court say make dem cancel de result, but e no win de case, den e lef Rwanda shortly after, cause e fear say dem go arrest am. De EU observer too question de result, talk say dem see “plenty irregularities,” but dem still describe de election as “positive step” for de country ein history.

 Presidential election, 2010 
Kagame contest for re-election insyd 2010, as ein first elected term end. RPF national congress endorse am as demma candidate for May 2010, den dem accept am officially for July. Ein main opponent be Victoire Ingabire, Hutu woman wey dey live abroad for some years, den return come Rwanda insyd January 2010 to contest for presidency. After she criticize Kagame ein policies small, dem arrest am for April, plus dem no allow am make she run for de election again. Amnesty International ein Tawanda Hondora describe dis as “pre-electoral repression.” Kagame start ein campaign with one rally for Kigali ein Amahoro Stadium on 20 July, den e tour de whole country do more rallies for di campaign period. De rallies pull tens of thousands, all dey shout for Kagame, but some Rwandans wey The New York Times interview talk say dem no get freedom to vote against am. Dem talk say government officials from top level reach village level dey put heavy pressure make dem register to vote, donate some of demma small money for Kagame ein campaign, plus attend all de rallies.

De election go on as planned insyd August 2010, but without Ingabire plus two other candidates wey dem ban. Kagame face three contestants wey Human Rights Watch describe as “broadly supportive of de RPF.” Kagame later pull 93.08 percent of de total vote for dat election. Opposition groups plus human rights organisations talk say de election no clean, as dem mention issues like repression, murder, plus no credible competition. Kagame reply say, “I no see any problem, but some people dey choose to see problems where problem no dey.”

 Constitutional referendum, 2015 
As Kagame ein second term dey go on, e start hint say e fit try change de term-limit clause for de Rwandan constitution, make e fit contest again for a third term for de 2017 elections. Earlier for ein presidency, e talk say e no go do dat kind tin, but for one 2014 speech wey e give for Tufts University insyd United States, Kagame talk say e no know when e go commot office, den say e be de Rwandan people dem go decide. E talk give de delegates say “…make we wait plus see wetin go happen as we dey go. Anything wey go happen, explanation go dey.” De next year, some protest happen for outside de parliament, den one petition wey 3.7 million people—wey pass half of de electorate—sign, dem carry am go give lawmakers make dem allow Kagame stay for office. Parliament respond by passing amendment to de constitution for November 2015, wey both de Chamber of Deputies plus de Senate vote together for am. De motion wey pass still keep de two-term limit, den e reduce de length of terms from 7 years to 5 years, but e make clear exception for Kagame, say e fit run for one more 7-year term, den plus two extra 5-year terms if e wan. After de amendment pass for parliament, dem need do referendum before e go take full effect.

De referendum happen on 18 December 2015, as Rwandans wey dey abroad vote on 17 December. De amendment gain de electorate ein support, as 6.16 million voters talk yes, wey be around 98 percent of de votes. De electoral commission talk say de voting be peaceful plus orderly. De Democratic Green Party, wey be de main domestic group wey no support de change, protest say dem no give dem chance to campaign openly against de amendment. Human Rights Watch ein executive director, Ken Roth, announce for Twitter say e no believe say de election be free plus fair, as e talk say “no suspense for Rwanda referendum when so many dissidents silenced, civil society stifled.” De amendment get criticisms from European Union den United States too, as US release statement talk say Kagame for respect de previous term limits plus “foster a new generation of leaders in Rwanda.” Kagame respond say e no be ein personal decision to go for third term, but say parliament plus de people be de ones wey demand am.

 Presidential election, 2017 
As e follow de constitutional change, presidential election happen for August 2017. De opposition figure wey get highest profile for de 2017 election be one local businesswoman, Diane Rwigara. Even though she talk say "much don improve under Kagame", Rwigara still criticize Kagame ein government, say "people dey disappear, others dey die under unexplained conditions, den nobody dey talk about dis because of fear". Just like how Ingabire take happen insyd 2010, dem no allow Rwigara run for de election. Kagame get endorsement as RPF demma candidate for de election for mid-June, den e start ein re-election campaign for mid-July with rally wey happen for Ruhango.

After three weeks of campaigning, wey end with one big rally for Gasabo District, de election happen between Kagame plus two opposition candidates. Kagame win re-election for ein third term with 98.8 percent of de vote, wey be ein highest percentage so far. Dem swear am in again for anoda seven-year term on 18 August. Just like ein previous wins, independent monitors plus human rights organisations talk say irregularities plus intimidation happen during de election process. Cheeseman plus Klaas talk for demma book say Kagame “no even try manipulate de election with de clever ways” wey e use for past campaigns.

 Domestic policy 

 Vision 2020 den Vision 2050 
Insyd late 1990s, Kagame start dey plan serious methods to push national development. E launch one national consultation process, plus e seek advice from experts from emerging countries like China, Singapore plus Thailand. After all dis consultations, den shortly after e take over de presidency, Kagame launch one bold national development programme wey dem call Vision 2020. De main goals of de programme be to unite de Rwandan people den turn Rwanda from highly poor country go middle income level. De programme get list of targets wey government plan to achieve before year 2020. Some of dem include reconstruction, better infrastructure plus transport system, good governance, increase agriculture production, develop private sector, den improve health plus education.

Insyd 2011, de Ministry of Finance plus Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) release one report wey show how Vision 2020 goals dey move. De report check all de goals dem set, den rate each one with status like "on-track", "on-watch" or "off-track". Out of 44 goals, dem find say 66% dey on-track, 11% dey on-watch, plus 22% dey off-track. De major areas wey dem find say e dey off-track be population, poverty plus de environment. By 2012, MINECOFIN ein review talk say 26% of Vision 2020 demma original indicators don already reach. As dem highlight key areas wey need improvement, de review boost some targets too, like dem change de GDP per capita target from $900 go $1,240. Dat same year, independent review wey some academics from Belgium do say de progress be "quite encouraging", as dem point out improvements for education plus health sectors, plus say Kagame dey create good business environment. But de review also raise worry over de policy of "maximum growth at any cost", as dem suggest say e dey cause situation where only de rich dey enjoy while rural poor no dey benefit much.

As dem finish de programme for December 2020, Kagame announce Vision 2050, as e talk say "Vision 2020 be wetin we for do make we survive plus take back our dignity. But Vision 2050 be about de future we go choose, because we fit, plus because we deserve am." Vision 2050 dey focus around two main pillars—Economic Growth plus Prosperity, den High Quality of Life plus Standards of Life for Rwandans. Vision 2050 be de clear plan wey show Kagame ein ambition say Rwanda go turn upper-middle income country by 2035, plus high-income country by 2050.

 Economy 
Rwanda be country wey no get plenty natural resources, plus de economy dey rely heavy on subsistence agriculture, as about 75% of de working population dey do farming. 

Under Kagame ein presidency, de service sector don grow. E dey make up around half of de country ein GDP, plus e be de second biggest employer after agriculture. For 1995, dem create Tri-Star Investments, wey dem change ein name to Crystal Ventures for 2009—e be one investment fund plus financial arm of de Rwandese Patriotic Front. Paul Kagame be de de facto CEO of dis holding company wey, as of 2017, get estimated capital of 500 million dollars plus employ over 12,000 people. Key contributors for de tertiary sector include banking plus finance, wholesale plus retail trade, hotels plus restaurants, transport, storage, communication, insurance, real estate, business services, den public administration, including education plus health.

Information plus communications technology (ICT) be priority under Vision 2020, wey target make Rwanda turn ICT hub for Africa. Because of dat goal, government complete 2,300 kilometres (1,400 miles) fibre-optic telecommunications network, wey dem plan say go give broadband services plus help push electronic commerce. Also, for 2012, dem establish Crystal Telecom Rwanda.

Tourism be one of de fastest-growing economic resources, plus e turn de country ein top foreign exchange earner for 2011. Rwanda too don exploit Congolese minerals illegally, wey be important part of wetin boost Rwanda ein economy. Political economy researcher Stefaan Marysse estimate say for 1999, 6.1% of Rwanda ein GDP come from illegal resource extraction for inside de DRC.

Insyd 2013, foreign aid still make up over 20 percent of GDP plus nearly half of de budget. Economic growth favour mostly de elites wey dey insyd de capital while rural areas still dey behind. Even though government get official policy of privatization, for real life dem rather increase state control over de economy through companies wey get strong ties plus de state plus de ruling party.

Rwanda ein economy don grow fast fast under Kagame ein continuous presidency since 2000, as per-capita gross domestic product (purchasing power parity) reach $2,214 for 2020, compared to $631 for 2000. De yearly growth from 2000 to 2020 average around 7% every year. Kagame ein economic policy dey base on liberalizing de economy, cutting red tape for businesses, plus turning de country from agricultural to knowledge-based economy. Kagame talk say e believe Rwanda fit follow de same economic development path like how Singapore do since 1960. Inside ein national Vision 2050 Policy, Kagame believe say Rwanda fit turn upper middle income country by 2035, plus high income country by 2050.

Rwanda don rank high for several areas of de World Bank ein ease of doing business index. For 2005, after dem rank de country 158th for de Ease of Doing Business Index, Kagame set up one special unit make dem study de economy plus find ways to make business easier. Because of dis, de country top de list of reformers for 2009. For 2012, de country ein overall ranking for ease of doing business reach 52nd out of 185 countries for worldwide, plus third out of 46 for Sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda come place eighth for de 2012 rankings for ease of starting business; de Rwanda Development Board talk say business fit get authorisation plus registration within 24 hours. De business environment plus economy too benefit from de low level of corruption wey dey de country; for 2010, Transparency International rank Rwanda as de eighth cleanest out of 47 countries for Sub-Saharan Africa, plus sixty-sixth cleanest out of 178 for de whole world. As of 2010, de country get international recognition for ein strong institutions plus low level of corruption.

Foreign donors plus investors, including Bill Clinton den Starbucks ein chairman Howard Schultz, don praise Kagame ein economic policy.

 Education den health 
Kagame put youth education for Rwanda as top priority under ein administration, as e allocate 17% of de yearly budget give dat sector. Rwandan government dey provide free education for state-run schools for twelve years—six years for primary plus six for secondary school. De last three years of dis free education come in 2012, after Kagame pledge am during ein 2010 re-election campaign. Kagame give credit to ein government for de progress wey tertiary education sector make; number of universities rise from 1 for 1994 go 29 for 2010, plus de tertiary gross enrollment ratio climb from 4% for 2008 go 7% for 2011. From 1994 reach 2009, secondary education dey in either French or English; but since 2009, as de country increase ein links plus de East African Community den de Commonwealth of Nations, English come turn de only language of instruction inside public schools from primary grade 4 going. De country ein literacy rate, wey mean people aged 15 or above wey fit read plus write, be 71% for 2009—up from 58% for 1991 plus 38% for 1978.

Rwanda ein health profile dey controlled by communicable diseases, including malaria, pneumonia plus HIV/AIDS. Prevalence plus mortality rates don drop sharply for de past ten years, but de short supply or no availability of some medicines still dey make disease management hard. Kagame ein government dey try improve dis matter as part of de Vision 2020 priorities. Dem increase funding, as de health budget move from 3.2% of national expenditure for 1996 go 9.7% for 2008. Dem set up training institutes, including Kigali Health Institute (KHI), plus for 2008 dem pass law wey make health insurance compulsory for everybody; by 2010, over 90% of de people get coverage. All dis policies help increase quality of healthcare plus improve important health indicators under Kagame ein presidency. For 2010, 91 children die before dem reach age five out of every 1000 live births, down from 163 for every 1000 live births for 1990. Prevalence of some diseases dey drop, including elimination of maternal plus neonatal tetanus, plus serious reduction for malaria morbidity, mortality rate, plus specific lethality. As trained medical workers no reach, de Rwandan government launch one eight-year US$151.8 million plan for 2011 to train medical professionals.

Kagame don get praise for how de country respond to de ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Even though de health care system no too developed, Rwanda be one of de countries wey get lowest infection plus mortality rates for de world, den people dey see am as success story. Rwanda be de only nation for Africa wey ein residents fit enter de Schengen Area for non-essential travel. But Rwanda ein response no dey free from criticism, especially for how civil liberties plus individual freedoms take suffer. By April 2022, Rwanda be one of de few countries for Africa wey don fully vaccinate over 60% of ein population against COVID-19.

 Foreign policy 

 Democratic Republic of the Congo 
De Second Congo War, wey start for 1998, still dey go on when Kagame take over presidency for 2000. Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe plus Chad send troops support de Congolese government side, while Rwanda, Uganda plus Burundi dey back rebel groups. De rebel group Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) split for 1999 into two: RCD-Goma, wey Rwanda support, plus RCD-Kisangani, wey Uganda dey support. Uganda too back Movement for de Liberation of de Congo (MLC), one rebel group from de north. All dem rebel groups dey fight against Kabila ein government for Kinshasa, but dem too dey turn against each other. Dem do plenty peace meetings, wey end for July 1999 Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement wey Kabila, Kagame plus all de other foreign governments sign. But de rebel groups no be part of de agreement, so de fighting still continue. RPA still strong inside de Congo War throughout 2000, as dem fight de Ugandan army for Kisangani, plus fight Kabila ein army for Kasai and Katanga.

Insy January 2001, Kabila get assassinated inside ein palace. Ein son Joseph come take over as president, and e quick start dey show ein power by sack ein papa ein cabinet plus senior army commanders, assemble new government, plus start engage international community. De new government give fresh push to peace negotiations, and for July 2002, dem reach peace agreement between Rwanda, Congo, and de other main players. De deal talk say all foreign troops go withdraw, and RCD-Goma go join one power-sharing transitional government with Joseph Kabila as interim president till dem fit hold elections. Kagame ein government announce for end of 2002 say all Rwandan troops wey wear uniform don commot from Congolese land, but UN panel of experts talk different for 2003 report. Dem say Rwandan army get one special “Congo desk” wey dem use take do large-scale illegal take over of Congolese resources.

Even after de agreement plus de ceasefire, tension still dey between Kagame plus de Congolese government. Kagame blame DRC say dem no dey control de Democratic Forces for de Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Rwandan Hutu rebels wey dey operate for North and South Kivu provinces. Kabila too accuse Rwanda say dem dey use de Hutu matter as excuse to keep control plus influence for de area. Fighting still dey go on for Congo ein eastern provinces since 2004, and during dat period, Kagame support two big insurgencies. One be rebellion from 2005 to 2009 wey Congolese Tutsi Laurent Nkunda lead, and de other be de one from March 23 Movement (M23) wey start for 2012 under Bosco Ntaganda. One leaked United Nations report for 2012 mention say Kagame ein defence minister, James Kabarebe, dey act as de main commander of M23. Relations begin improve from 2016, as Kagame hold bilateral meeting with Kabila for Gisenyi. When Félix Tshisekedi become DRC president for 2019, Kagame—wey be AU chairman dat time—try call for AU investigation into de election, but e no work. Still, e come build close relationship with Tshisekedi after dat, as dem hold summits for Kinshasa plus Kigali. By 2020, people still dey accuse Kagame say Rwandan troops dey active inside de Kivu provinces. Congolese officials like Walikale MP Juvénal Munubo plus some civilians talk say dem see RDF soldiers inside DRC, but Kagame always deny say e send troops go der.

On 20 June 2024, Kagame talk give France 24 say “we ready to fight” against de DRC if e become necessary, as e dodge questions about Rwanda ein military presence for de region. Because Rwanda support de Goma offensive wey M23 rebels do, DRC break diplomatic ties with Rwanda on 26 January 2025. After dat, Kagame claim say South Africa no fit mediate de issue, as South African peacekeepers for de region dey work with “genocidal armed groups” wey dey threaten Rwanda.

 Uganda den de East African Community 
Kagame spend most of ein childhood plus young adult life for Uganda, and e get personal relationship with President Yoweri Museveni from way back in de late 1970s. Dem fight together inside de Ugandan Bush War, and after de NRA win for 1986, Kagame become head of military intelligence inside Museveni ein national army. When RPF soldiers break away from de Ugandan army and invade Rwanda for 1990, Museveni no support dem openly, but according to Prunier, e likely say e know about de plan before e happen. Museveni also allow de RPF pass through Ugandan land safely to reach de Virunga mountains after dem early defeats for de war, and for 1998 heads of state meeting, e reveal say Uganda help RPF with support during de Rwandan Civil War. After RPF win, de two countries enjoy close political plus trade relationship.

Rwanda and Uganda be allies during de First Congo War against Zaire, as both countries play big role for setting up de AFDL plus send troops go fight. Dem join forces again for start of de Second Congo War, but things spoil between dem around late 1998 as Museveni and Kagame get different priorities for de war. For early 1999, de RCD rebel group divide into two, and Rwanda and Uganda come support opposite sides. Then for August, de Rwandan and Ugandan armies fight each other with heavy artillery inside de Congolese city of Kisangani. Dem fight again for Kisangani for May and June 2000, wey cause 120 soldiers plus about 640 Congolese civilians demma death. Relations begin cool down slowly during de 2000s, and by 2011 de two countries come enjoy close friendship again. But fresh gbeef rise again for early 2019, as de two countries clash over trade and regional politics. Kagame accuse Museveni ein government say dem dey support de FDLR and dey harass Rwandan people inside Uganda, so Rwanda set up one truck blockade for de border. Museveni too accuse Rwanda say dem dey send troops enter ein territory, including one incident for Rukiga district wey one Ugandan citizen die. De Rwanda–Uganda border open again on 31 January 2022.

Insyd 2007, Rwanda join de East African Community, wey be intergovernmental organisation for East Africa region wey include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi plus Rwanda. As part of joining, de country sign different agreements with de other members, like one defence intelligence sharing pact, customs union, plus plans to fight drug trafficking. De countries inside de Community form one common market for 2011, plus dem dey plan more integration, including steps toward political federation. De Community too set up East African Monetary Institute, wey dey target introduce single currency by 2024.

 France 
France keep tight relationship with President Habyarimana during de time e dey rule, as part of dem Françafrique policy. When de RPF start de Rwandan Civil War for 1990, Habyarimana quick get support from French President François Mitterrand. France send 600 paratroopers, wey take over how de government respond to de invasion, plus dem help take back almost all de areas wey RPF gain for de first few days of de war. France keep dis military presence throughout de war, and dem fight Kagame ein RPF forces again for February 1993 during one offensive wey make RPF double ein territory. For de later part of de 1994 Rwandan genocide, France launch Opération Turquoise, one mission under United Nations wey aim to create safe areas for displaced people, refugees, and civilians wey dey danger; but plenty Rwandans see am as move to protect Hutu from de RPF, even some people wey take part for de genocide. De French still no support de RPF, and dem presence slow down Kagame ein advance for southwestern Rwanda small.

After de genocide end plus Opération Turquoise withdraw, France still no warm up to de new RPF government. Dem reestablish diplomatic ties for January 1995, but things still dey tense as Rwanda accuse France say dem help de genocidaires, while France defend say dem only dey intervene. For 2006, one French judge Jean-Louis Bruguière release report on President Habyarimana ein assassination, wey conclude say Kagame order de plane shooting. Bruguière then issue arrest warrants for nine close people wey dey around Kagame. Kagame deny all de accusations sharp and cut diplomatic ties with France immediately. Things start cool small for 2008, and diplomacy resume again by late 2009. For 2010, Nicolas Sarkozy become de first French president to visit Rwanda since de genocide, and e talk say France make "grave errors of judgment." Kagame respond with official visit go Paris for 2011.

 United States, United Kingdom den de Commonwealth 
Since de Rwandan genocide end for 1994, Rwanda don build close relationship with de English-speaking world, especially United States (US) plus United Kingdom (UK). De two countries support de RPF ein programme to stabilise and rebuild; UK dey donate plenty money each year for budget support, and US dey give military aid plus back development projects. As president, Kagame don criticize how de West no act during de genocide, and both UK and US come admit say dem fail—Bill Clinton, wey be US president during de genocide, talk say ein inaction be "personal failure." Insyd de 2000s, Clinton plus UK Prime Minister Tony Blair praise Rwanda ein progress under Kagame, and dem call am model country for international development funds—Clinton even talk say Kagame be "one of the greatest leaders of our time." Both Clinton and Blair still support de country after dem leave office—Clinton through de Clinton Global Initiative, and Blair as unpaid advisor to de Rwandan government.

As part of ein plan to keep strong ties with English-speaking countries, Kagame look for Commonwealth of Nations membership, wey dem grant Rwanda for 2009. Rwanda be only de second country, after Mozambique, to join de Commonwealth even though dem no get any colonial link with de British Empire. Kagame attend de next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for Perth, Australia, where e address de Business Forum. Rwanda too apply successfully for rotating seat for United Nations Security Council for 2012, and e take over de presidency of de organisation for April 2013.

Kagame ein relationship with de US and UK come face pressure for early 2010s, after dem allege say Rwanda dey support de M23 rebel movement for Eastern Congo. Because of dat, UK suspend ein budget support programme for 2012, and dem freeze £21 million donation. Other European countries like Germany too stop general budgetary support from 2008. But from 2013, dem start restore de payments small small, this time as sector budget support plus support for specific programmes. De US too freeze part of ein military aid programme for Rwanda for 2012, but dem no suspend all de aid. By 2020, US still support Kagame ein government strong and remain Rwanda ein biggest bilateral donor.

 China den moves towards self-sufficiency 
China dey invest inside Rwandan infrastructure since 1971, with some early projects like hospitals for Kibungo and Masaka. Under Kagame ein presidency, trade between de two countries grow fast. From 2005 to 2009, de trade volume increase five times, then e double again inside de next three years—by 2012 e reach US$160 million. Some projects wey dem finish include renovation of Kigali road network (funded by Chinese government loan and built by China Road and Bridge Corporation); Kigali City Tower (built by China Civil Engineering Construction); plus one pay television service operated by Star Media.

Kagame dey talk boldly praise give China and how dem dey relate with Africa. For one 2009 interview, e talk say "the Chinese bring what Africa needs: investment and money for governments and companies." E compare dis with Western countries, wey e say dem dey focus too much on giving aid instead of building proper trading relationship. E also believe say Western countries dey use high tariffs block African products from entering world market. China no dey involve itself openly for domestic matters of de countries dem dey trade with, so dem no follow de West criticize Kagame over de war matter for Congo.

Kagame ein main goal for international relations be to shift Rwanda from country wey dey depend on donor aid plus loans go self-sufficiency, where e go fit trade with other countries on equal level. For one 2009 article, Kagame write say "the primary purpose of aid should ultimately be to work itself out", so e for focus on making people self-reliant plus help grow de private sector. E give example say when donor countries give farmers free fertiliser, e no good because e go kill local fertiliser businesses, wey dem no go grow or fit compete. For 2012, Kagame launch de Agaciro Development Fund, based on ideas from one national dialogue session wey dem do for 2011. Agaciro be solidarity fund wey aim to raise development money from inside Rwanda itself, make e add on top of de aid dem dey get from outside. De fund dey collect contributions from Rwandan citizens inside de country and in de diaspora, plus from private companies and “friends of Rwanda.” How de fund go use de money go depend on what de people say, and e go finance projects wey go help reach de Vision 2020 programme.

 Assassinations 
From de time Kagame serve as vice president reach de time e become president, people link am to murders plus disappearances of political opponents, both for Rwanda and outside. For one 2014 report dem call “Repression Across Borders”, Human Rights Watch talk say since late 1990s, at least 10 cases dey involve attacks or threats against critics outside Rwanda, all because dem criticize de Rwandan government, de RPF or Kagame himself. Some examples include de killing of Sendashonga for 1998, assassination attempts on Nyamwasa for South Africa, and de murder of former intelligence boss Patrick Karegeya for South Africa on 31 December 2013. About Karegeya ein killing, Kagame talk say “whoever betrays the country will pay the price, I assure you”, show say e support am. For 2015, one former Rwandan military officer testify for U.S. Congress say de Rwandan government offer am $1 million make e kill Karegeya plus another Kagame critic, General Kayumba Nyamwasa. After ein testimony, dis officer start face threats for Belgium, same as one Canadian journalist. For December 2017, South African court find say de Rwandan government still dey plan assassinations against ein critics overseas.

 Chairperson of de African Union 
Kagame be Chairperson of de African Union from 28 January 2018 to 10 February 2019. As Chair, e push de Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) plus de African Continental Free Trade Area. De proposed Continental Free Trade Area get signed on 21 March 2018 by 44 out of de 55 AU countries. By de time e leave office for February 2019, 19 out of de 22 countries wey dem need to ratify de agreement don already do am, so e fit take effect soon. Kagame too push reforms for African Union structures so dem go work better and fit sustain themselves financially.

 Public image den personality 
People get different views on Kagame ein leadership among international scholars plus journalists. Political scientist Alexander Dukalskis talk say Kagame dey very good at creating fine image of Rwanda abroad. Dukalskis say de Kagame regime dey suppress negative information by blocking access to academics and journalists, plus threatening and killing critics of de regime. Other people like Philip Gourevitch, wey write de 1998 book We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families, focus on wetin Kagame do to end de genocide after de international community fail act—plus reconciliation, economic growth, foreign investment, and better public health and education. But authors like Judi Rever counter dis, as dem highlight war crimes wey de RPF commit before, during and after de 1994 genocide, assassinations of opponents and de totalitarian nature of Kagame ein rule. For ein piece Rethinking the Rwandan Narrative for the 25th Anniversary, Gerald Caplan talk say we need new way of telling dis story—a narrative wey go combine both sides and “strike de proper balance between de old and de newly revised.”

Insyd Rwanda, people see Kagame ein RPF as Tutsi party, and for de years after de 1994 genocide, Hutu people—wey be 85% of de population—no like dem. Around two million Hutu live as refugees for nearby countries till 1996, when Kagame force dem return home. Plenty Hutu too support de cross-border insurgency against Kagame during de late 1990s, led by de old regime forces. But by 1999, RPF weaken de insurgents, and Tutsi and Hutu begin live peaceful together for de northwest. Kayumba Nyamwasa, wey still dey inside Rwandan army dat time, talk say “the mood had changed,” as de balance of power shift and de genocidaires no get chance come back to power again. As of 2021, because speech no free for Rwanda, plus elections no really dey free or fair, nobody fit talk sure about Kagame ein real popularity. But some journalists like Jason Burke from The Guardian and Rashid Abdallah from Al Jazeera describe am as “authentically popular in Rwanda” and say e get “overwhelming public support.” On de other hand, British author Michela Wrong and Filip Reyntjens no agree; Wrong talk say de way Kagame dey attack de Rwanda National Congress and how e dey push Uganda and South Africa to expel or shut down de group show say e see dem as serious threat.

Kagame ein reputation among foreign leaders dey very positive until de late 2000s. People give am credit for ending de genocide, bringing peace plus security to Rwanda, and helping de country develop. But since 2010, de international community start criticize am more, especially after one leaked United Nations report accuse Rwanda say dem dey support de M23 rebel group for Congo. For 2012, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands plus other countries stop demma budget support programmes to Rwanda, and plenty of dem divert de aid go project-based support instead.

As dem describe Kagame ein personality, Roméo Dallaire talk say e get “studious air wey no really cover ein hawk-like intensity.” American journalist Stephen Kinzer, wey write Kagame ein biography A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It with Kagame ein involvement, call am “one of the most intriguing leaders in Africa.” Even though Kinzer praise Kagame ein leadership skills, e still talk say Kagame get “chronic impatience, barely suppressed anger, and impulsive scorn for critics.” For one interview with Daily Telegraph ein Richard Grant, Kagame talk say e dey sleep only four hours each night, and e use de rest of de time for work, exercise, family and reading academic books and foreign newspapers. When journalist Jeffrey Gettleman ask am about ein reputation for physically beating ein subordinates, Kagame talk say, “I can be very tough, I can make mistakes like that.”

Kagame dey receive plenty honours and accolades during ein time as president. These include honorary degrees and medals from different Western universities, plus de highest national awards wey Liberia and Benin give am. Since 2002, de Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations name demma football tournament de Kagame Interclub Cup, because Kagame dey sponsor de event.

 Personal life 
Kagame marry Jeannette Nyiramongi, one Tutsi exile wey dey live for Nairobi, Kenya, for Uganda on 10 June 1989. Kagame ask ein family make dem suggest suitable woman for marriage, and dem recommend Nyiramongi. E travel go Nairobi go introduce himself give her, and e convince am make she visit am for Uganda. Nyiramongi already sabi about de RPF plus demma aim to help refugees return go Rwanda. She respect Kagame well. Dem get four children together.

Ein daughter, Ange Kagame Ndengeyingoma, finish her education abroad and she no too show for public eye during most of her childhood because of security and privacy reasons. She go Dana Hall School, one private prep school for Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. She attend Smith College where she study political science as major and African studies as minor. She too get master’s degree for international affairs from Columbia University.

Kagame dey speak three languages—English, Kinyarwanda, den French— wey he be supporter of Arsenal F.C. He be Catholic and e no dey drink alcohol at all.

Honours
Benin:
60px Grand Cross of de National Order of Benin (2010)
Burkina Faso: 
 60px Grand Cross of de Ordre de l'Étalon, formerly National Order of Burkina Faso (2019) 
Central African Republic:
 60px Grand Cross of de Order of Reconnaissance of Central African (2019) 
Guinea:
60px Grand Cross of de National Order of Merit (2016)
Guinea-Bissau:
60px Recipient of de Medal of Amílcar Cabral (20 June 2024)
Ivory Coast
60px Grand Cross of de National Order of the Ivory Coast (2018)
Morocco:
60px Collar of de Order of Muhammad (2016)
Liberia:
60px Grand Cordon of de Order of the Pioneers of Liberia (2009)
Serbia:
60px Second Class of de Order of the Republic of Serbia (2016)
Uganda:
60px Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa: Grand Master (2012)
La Francophonie:
60px Grand Cross of de Order of La Pléiade (2022)
 References 
Category:Living people

 Sources 

























































































































 External links 
External links

 Official website
 Appearances on C-SPAN
 Paul Kagame on Charlie Rose
 Paul Kagame at IMDb
 Paul Kagame collected news and commentary at The New York Times
 Paul Kagame Biography and Interview on Academy of Achievement

Category:1957 births
Category:Defence ministers of Rwanda
Category:Rwandan people
Category:Human
Category:Non-U.S. alumni of de Command and General Staff College
Category:People wey komot Ruhango District
Category:People of de Rwandan genocide
Category:Presidents of Rwanda
Category:Rwandan Patriotic Front politicians
Category:Rwandan rebels
Category:Rwandan refugees
Category:Rwandan Roman Catholics
Category:Rwandan soldiers
Category:Rwandan nationalists
Category:People educated at Ntare School
Category:Rwandan expatriates insyd Uganda
Category:Ugandan rebels
Category:Tutsi people
Category:21st-century Rwandan politicians