The recent statements made by the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, regarding certain leaders have sparked considerable debate in the East African region and across social media platforms. Kagame stated that he can recognize a true leader when he sees one, but he can also identify an idiot.
As a result, the presence of both simultaneously would spell disaster, in the view of the 67-year-old leader. Furthermore, Kagame pointed out that it becomes even more catastrophic when individuals in power allow themselves to be manipulated and influenced by foolish individuals with selfish motives.
“I can distinguish leaders from idiots. Just think about the catastrophe that arises from a combination of the two. If you are both a leader and an idiot, it is a recipe for disaster.
It’s even more perilous if those who wield power choose to be played and manipulated by idiots for individual gains,” Kagame remarked during a gathering he hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre.
His comments have since stirred controversy on various social media sites. Many users from different East African countries are now asserting that his words are relevant to the leaders in their own nations.
It is important to mention that tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo have reached unprecedented levels. This is particularly true in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebels have been wreaking havoc.
A recent report from a United Nations Group of Experts accused Rwanda of militarily supporting the M23 rebels, which has further exacerbated the conflict.
Nonetheless, the Rwandan president dismissed these accusations, asserting that the M23 rebels originated from Uganda, where they established fighting camps. He went on to elaborate on the origins of the conflict, questioning how Rwanda became implicated in the issue.
“The conflict was initiated by the primary group based in Uganda. So how did this turn into a Rwandan issue? What is the underlying reason, and how long will we continue to explain this? Up to what point?”
“I specifically recall that we disarmed 560 individuals who were returned to the DRC government at that time, and they had been kept here for an extended period until circumstances began to change.”
“At the time, the DRC government would even send officials to converse with those we had detained in camps. They purportedly sought to resolve their issues.
This back-and-forth persisted for some time. However, those individuals did not instigate the conflict. If you look closely, most of them remain here. The fighting was initiated by the main group that was based in and came from Uganda.”
However, the UN report alleges that Rwanda’s RDF continues to assist the M23 in operating advanced military hardware, including the 122mm rocket launcher.
Additionally, it is claimed that the RDF has aided the insurgents in establishing military control in the Petit Nord region of eastern DRC.
