Kagame Tackles Critics - When Is It Right to Kill?

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda became a favorite of international aid organizations and rich-country governments after focusing his efforts on post-genocide reconciliation and inclusive economic growth. Development experts say the results have been impressive. According to a May report by the World Health Organization, life expectancy has increased from 48 to 64 years since 1990 - three times the global average rise. The mortality rate for children under five has dropped from 182 per 100,000 children, to 55. Maternal mortality has been reduced by 75 per cent. Gapminder, which visually tracks development indicators and their consequences, illustrates the progress.

But Kagame has, in recent years, come under harsh attack for what critics say are gross human rights abuses, including execution of his political enemies. In a speech and interview this month, the Rwandan president defended his record and went on the offensive, saying Rwanda freed rather than executed convicted agents of genocide and asking how countries that execute their own convicts and kill innocent civilians in drone attacks can criticize his determination to use all measures to safeguard Rwandan security.