As Rwanda continues to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and prepares for crucial presidential and parliamentary elections, the country finds itself under an intense spotlight cast by Western media. A consortium of 17 media outlets, including some of the most prominent names in journalism, has launched a series of reports titled "Rwanda Classified," which aim to expose the alleged "dark side" of Rwanda. These articles, however, are far from an accurate representation of the country's reality and appear to be part of a concerted effort to deny the impressive post-genocide progress made by Rwanda under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.
The timing of this wave of criticism is not surprising to Rwandans, as similar stories routinely appear in Western media around important dates on the Rwandan calendar. What is surprising, however, is the immense scale of the current attacks. With countless pressing issues affecting the world, it is perplexing that leading Western news organizations have dedicated so much time and space to platforming one-sided accusations against the government of a small African nation that has made remarkable strides in recent years. Moreover, the journalists producing these stories have relied heavily on testimonies from Rwandans in exile, including known genocide enablers, deniers, and perpetrators, who have ample reason to demonize the government.
Rwanda, like any other country, is not perfect and faces its own set of challenges, particularly as it continues to work towards reconciliation, rehabilitation, and recovery following the horrific 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. However, it is far from the hellscape ruled by a murderous regime that Western media portrays it to be. The Rwandan government has been actively encouraging citizens of the world to visit the country and see the truth for themselves, with its relaxed visa and settlement policies and the efforts of the Rwanda Development Board to promote Rwanda as a global destination for tourism and business. It is highly unlikely that a country with so much to hide would work so hard to attract foreign visitors and permanent residents.
Under President Kagame's leadership, Rwanda has transformed itself from a nation devastated by genocide to a confident, dynamic democracy in just 30 years. It has become one of the most stable countries on the African continent, hosting major sports competitions, tech and investment summits, and countless other regional and global gatherings. Rwanda is also home to several prestigious international higher education institutions and has earned a reputation for retaining its best and brightest while attracting international talent. The country has made impressive strides in becoming a well-functioning welfare state, with universal healthcare, education, and housing heavily subsidized by the state.
The Western media's efforts to create a false perception of Rwanda as a repressive and hostile country are likely to fail, especially as more people visit the country and witness its reality firsthand. These biased critical reports are unlikely to turn the Rwandan people against President Kagame, who has been democratically elected twice with more than 90% of the vote and is expected to win again in the upcoming July elections. In fact, the Western media's attacks on the president may only serve to increase his popularity in Rwanda and the wider African continent.
The targeting of Rwanda by Western media appears to stem from a struggle to accept that this small African nation, which has experienced unspeakable horrors in its recent past, has managed to find peace, democracy, and stability on its own terms, under a government of its choosing, and without reshaping itself to the West's liking. However, these attacks will only serve to make Rwanda more united, as the country continues to forge ahead on its path of progress and development.
