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From: Placide Muhigana
To:
May the best candidate win in
Rwanda
"The leaders in the countries here have
misused the military to intimidate and cow the populations into
re-electing them. Where they have not done that they have simply stuffed
the ballot boxes in a blatant display of indifference to the
people's right to choose a leader they
desire."
August 23, 2003
Text of editorial entitled "May the best candidate win in Rwanda" by Ugandan newspaper The Monitor web site on 23
August
On Monday (25 August), Rwandans go to the polls in an historic presidential election. We, in Uganda, must join the rest of the international community in hoping that the elections are conducted without any untoward incidents. This is an election that will determine that country's political destiny. Opposition candidate and former prime minister, Faustin Twagiramungu, has however, cast a shadow on the campaign
period that commenced on 1 August with reported calls for his
subethnic nationality, the Hutu, "not to forget their
identity".
Twagiramungu has also alleged that the incumbent, President Paul Kagame, is riding on the back of his Rwandan
People's Front (as published) (RPF) dictatorial tendencies. He
says his supporters have been harassed. The RPF denies these
accusations though and insists it has run a fair
campaign.
Whatever the truth is, the people of Rwanda have to understand that they must not vote with their hearts but
minds. The Rwanda people must realize that it is not only the
Monday elections at stake but also the future stability of
their country.
Since 1994, the country has been going through transition after decades of misrule; the unforgettable genocide and a
delicately balanced government of national unity put in place
after the Arusha meetings.
In this election they have the opportunity to get started on the road to democratic re-discovery where the rule of law and
respect of human rights are bywords for the political
leadership.
The international community looks on with a mixture of hope and counsel against the inflaming of this most delicate
situation. It is hoped that Rwanda will prove to the world that
its politicians have matured and that its citizens can look
beyond the unhelpful narrow ethnic influences.
With the exception of Tanzania, and recently Kenya, the Great Lakes region is notorious for bad politics.
The leaders in the countries here have misused the military to intimidate and cow the populations into re-electing
them.
Where they have not done that they have simply stuffed the ballot boxes in a blatant display of indifference to the
people's right to choose a leader they desire.
Let Rwanda join Tanzania and Kenya in that privileged club where democracy is being given a real chance to thrive.
May the best of the four candidates; Kagame, Twagiramungu, Alivera Mukaramba and Jean-Nepomuscene Nayinzira, win the
election.
Source: The Monitor web site, Kampala, in English 23 Aug 03 ) BBC Monitoring
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