On Monday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame criticized Western nations for exhibiting “double standards” on democracy, just ahead of the country’s upcoming general elections next month.
President Kagame, who has led Rwanda since 2000, made these comments in response to a question regarding accusations from critics that he is holding onto power.
“Democracy is about freedom of choice. If that is the case unless the definition has changed over time, I have never known of any place where democracy has succeeded when principles and ideals have been dictated from the outside,” Mr Kagame said, speaking in an interview on national television.
“They say you have been there too long, but that is none of their business … Rwandans are the ones to make those choices. They have the freedom to do it. But you find that in most cases, the complaints are from outside. These are double standards; it’s even arrogance,” he said.
President Kagame’s remarks followed the National Electoral Commission’s decision to approve him and two other candidates for next month’s presidential election.
Running as the candidate of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Kagame will face Frank Habineza of the opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.
Kagame emphasized the importance of considering the unique political context of each country, noting that perspectives on democracy will differ. He questioned whether the form of democracy practiced in Rwanda truly contradicts the general concept of democracy.
“Some of these countries have strict rules, and they don’t want anybody to interfere in their politics, but they find it easy to get involved in other people’s politics. What sense does it make?”
”If interfering in other people’s affairs is wrong, what gives you the right to go and get involved in other people’s affairs … Some of them are leaders of their own countries in spite of their very low ratings. But that is democracy I’m told,” he added.
Rwandans are set to vote for their president and members of parliament on July 15.