Challenge of Nation-building in Africa.

• Author: Hornblow, Micahel
• Position: Brief article

Challenge of Nation-building in Africa

By Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

Text: http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2010/09/19/challenges_of_nation-building_in_africa_99188.html

Reviewed by Michael Hornblow, Associate Editor

What are we to make of President Paul Kagame and this speech?

Kagame has been criticized by human rights organizations. A UN report accused the Rwandan Army under Kagame of systematically murdering tens of thousands of Hutu civilians in the Congo in 1966. He has allegedly crushed political dissent and been implicated in murders of political opponents and critics. Kagame received 93% of the vote in his most recent election.

Yet, he is greatly admired and praised. Bill Clinton called him "one of the greatest leaders of our time." Tony Blair praised his "visionary leadership." When we visited Rwanda two years ago we were much impressed. Kagame has abolished the death penalty, released thousands of genocidaires from jail, decentralized his government and given the opposition seats in his Cabinet. Roads and schools and clinics are being built, disease is down, literacy and...