Oscar Kimanuka
25 February 2008
column
US President George W. Bush's inclusion of Rwanda in his five-nation tour of Africa last week, left the resident with a sense of pride that is not likely to be washed away anytime soon, if ever.
The last time an American president visited Rwanda was in March 1998 when Bill Clinton simply touched base, in a rather symbolic manner and remained confined to the precincts of Kigali International airport as though he feared to venture into the hinterland of the country.
This time round, the mood was different. President Bush was more relaxed during his Rwanda trip and mingled easily with top Rwandan leaders and citizens.
The Bush visit to Rwanda was also largely seen as an endorsement of President Paul Kagame's administration and commitment to reverse the misfortunes of the past.
From peace and security to clean streets to a boom in construction, Rwanda has come a long way.
LIKE MANY OTHER AFRICAN countries, Rwanda is a victim of a colonial past whose influence it is still struggling to overcome. However, Rwanda was not arbitrarily created out of territories settled by different ethnic groups. The superficial differences created among the Rwandan people who have throughout its existence remained the same exploded in 1994.
President Bush promised to advise his successor to bear in mind that the US has to always take a leadership role more so due to the "slowness" and " very bureaucratic" nature of international organisations.
"It's kind of long-winded approach to take problems seriously before they become acute, and then recognise that there's going to be a slowness in the response if you rely upon international organisations," Bush observed.
THE PEOPLE OF RWANDA probably know better how they have been disappointed in the past with international intervention at the most critical hour of their need. That perhaps explains Rwanda's quick response to help stabilise the Darfur problem and sent 7,000 troops - the largest group.
Last week's visit to Africa by President George W Bush underscored the US administration's continued recognition that the African continent is not just a passive player in global politics, but an important partner in the US-Africa relations.
Oscar Kimanuka is a commentator on social and economic issues based in Kigali.
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