RWANDA'S PRESIDENT Paul Kagame, who was
recently nominated to run for the fourth time by the ruling party, spoke with
James Smart on what’s at stake in the next election and what it takes to lead
the country through turbulent times. Many things ... I was
telling them you don’t have to wait for the day I tell you enough is enough; I
am not going on with you anymore. I said I accept this responsibility because,
when I look back and, like all of you, the circumstances of our country are
completely different…There is this struggle in my own mind as a person and
there is also a struggle in mind of others.
But, for now, let me carry the weight and I will
also help. I told them they don’t have to wait for me to come and choose for them
who will replace me. I said you do it yourselves and live with the consequences
of your choice.
I
think the vision is there. We have invested in people, in ourselves, in
institutions. We have built institutions, which we keep strengthening. That
answers the question of post-Kagame.
Post-Kagame,
there is institutions, there are people we have invested in, people who we
struggle with and fight with and all these challenges. One day you don’t
have to wait until I say I am done.