Paul Kagame: Performing Miracles in Rwanda
Rwanda is beginning to get lots of international attention because of it’s amazing transformation from genocide to economic prosperity.
A friend of mine forwared this fascinating discussion on Rwanda that was taking place on a public radio station. You can listen to the entire discussion here. (you need either realplayer or windows media). According to the discussion, Paul Kagame is trying to turn Rwanda into the economic hub of East and Central Africa and if he succeeds (as it appears like he is) – Rwanda may become the only country in the world that could go from being a poor third world country into a middle income country in less than a generation.
The speaker on the radio discussion cited above, has written a book on what is happening in Rwanda. I’ve already ordered the book and look forward to reading it. The book is called: ” A Thousand Hills: Rwanda’s Rebirth and the man who dreamed it.”
Paul Kagame is a dictator, but as I’ve said before, I am now convinced that it is the only way to rule a poor, African country. Kagame is going to become the Lee Kwan Yew of Africa and his “experiment” in Rwanda is going to work. I have also said before that Raila Odinga’s dreamy ideals about democracy’s ability to thrive in Africa are a good 30 or 40 years away. Africa is still too poor, too tribal and too primitive. The “Kagame Model” is the way to go {at least for now}.
**Another story here on the rise of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda .
Paul Kagame has been on a good track ever since he fell out with Museveni!! yes they once shared the same vision i.e. unifying the region (though Museveni’s military methods are questionable) but, the ultimate goal is one that I believe, we, East Africans should aspire the pros outweigh the cons considerably….
I recall watching Kagame interviewed about 6 – 7 years back and the man was well spoken and clearly spelt out his vision for Rwanda…
adding onto that Kenyans have been heading to Rwanda for a number of years for work and life opportunities… the head of ICT development is in fact Kenyan!!
Would not call Paul a dictator, that is putting him in the same league with Idi Amin and Bokassa!, I would refer to him as a strong firm hand, what sub saharan region desperately needs…
Did you know that serious journalists can get a full interview with Kagame within 48 Hours!! that says a lot about the person and ideals he stands for…
That said, I will definitely be buying that book!
I hope Kagame does not go the same way Museveni went… It’s amazing how much a single strong personality can change a country. Yes, he is a dictator but the best type… a benevolent dictator…
Unlike the uber-land grabber jomo kenyatta, it seems Kagame is clean and even gave up some of his ‘ancestral’ land since he did not need it… What an example in a country with a high population density. Of course, kenyataa, moi and kibz… well… they were/are no ‘benevolent’ dictators… though kibz seems slightly better than his predecessors though the anglo fleecing deal still rankles me…
Kagame is no dictator. If he is, then what name will you give Mugabe? I strongly agree with Ken, I once saw our own Luis Otieno interview Kagame. He really articulated the vision he had for Rwanda on that interview, and we can now see the results. Have you ever seen Kibaki being interviewed by any journalist since he assumed the presidency?
I think Raila can do such a job in Kenya – given the opportunity.
KE,
Rwanda is definitely going places, and true, there’s lots of kenyans going there to xplore opportunities. It seems this model of “benevolent” dictator is what is really needed as CT points out.
Kagame is a leadr with a vision and that’s what kenya needs.
KEI o:
Raila is too disorganized and too chaotic. All he does is make noise all over the freaking country. If Raila was as good as he claims to be, he would have done something in Kibera. He’s been the MP of that slum for almost 30 years and has done absolutely nothing. I don’t think Raila is a practician. He is more like a motivational speaker.
The only thing that would change my mind on Raila is that he does surround himself with smart, competent people. People like Nyongo and James Orengo. So, if Raila left Nyongo in charge of the economy and gave him all the power he needed, I can see Nyongo doing all the work and actually fixing the economy. Raila would then be free to do what he loves best – giving motivational speeches across the country and smiling from all the public adulation he receives.
I think Kagame is more hands-on.
Let’s hope Kagame manages to complete his program. He’s been putting brakes on people who want to eat everything, so he’s made plenty of enemies. It would appear that even ‘benevolent dictator’ can’t survive bila risk on this continent.
Most Kenyan politicians are thieves… Kagame seems different… I have never heard (well, read) of a scandal of the proportions of goldenberg or anglo-fleecing in Rwanda…