The Kenyan Head of State bowed to pressure to drop the Bill after angry protesters overwhelmed the police, invaded, and set ablaze a section of Parliament moments after lawmakers passed the contentious Bill on Tuesday.
The violent confrontation between the police and the young “Gen Z” protesters sadly resulted in the deaths of several people and left scores injured, prompting condemnation from the United Nations, the African Union, and several foreign diplomatic missions in Nairobi.
On Wednesday, just hours after he threatened to crack down on the “organizers and financiers” of the protests, Ruto made a surprise U-turn, conceding to the demands from the protesters and calls for dialogue from the international community.
In a televised speech from State House Nairobi, President Ruto said, “The people have spoken… I concede,” promising to engage the young people he had earlier described as “dangerous criminals” and plotters of “treasonous” activities.
“Having reflected on continuing the conversation around the Finance Bill, and listening to the Kenyan people who say they want nothing to do with this Bill, I concede.
“Therefore, I will not sign the Finance Bill 2024 and it shall be subsequently withdrawn and I have agreed with these members, that shall become our position,” President Ruto stated.
The withdrawal of the Bill, however, complicates matters for President Ruto, who has recently initiated various measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. This comes amid criticism over alleged insensitivity to the welfare of Kenyans grappling with the high cost of living exacerbated by new taxes introduced after Ruto took office.
Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP. Kenya’s GDP stands at $113.4 billion.
Watch this video to learn more about the Finance Bill protests in Kenya and the impact of President Ruto’s concession.
In a State of the Nation Address on Wednesday afternoon, the Kenyan Head of State stated that the people of Kenya had spoken, and he had “conceded” and agreed with lawmakers to withdraw the contentious Bill.
“Having reflected on continuing the conversation around the Finance Bill, and listening to the Kenyan people who say they want nothing to do with this Bill, I concede.
“Therefore, I will not sign the Finance Bill 2024 and it shall be subsequently withdrawn and I have agreed with these members, that shall become our position,” President Ruto stated.
He announced several austerity measures to contain government expenditure, starting with the Office of the President and the Executive. These include reduced spending on travel, hospitality, the purchase of motor vehicles, and renovations.
“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to remove allocations for the confidential vote, reduce travel budget, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures,” President Ruto stated.
The Finance Bill 2024 sought to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
At least five people were shot dead by the police and a dozen others were injured in the violent confrontation in and outside parliament precincts, according to Amnesty International.
The international community, led by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), condemned the violent protests and called on the authorities to exercise restraint while also urging peaceful demonstrations.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also pressured Ruto’s administration to listen to the people, especially the young people “Gen Z” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
In the spirit of the proposed dialogue, President Ruto has pledged to engage Kenyan youth to hear their perspectives and concerns.
“I propose an engagement with young people of our nation to listen to their issues and agree with them on their priority areas of concern,” he added.
The Kenyan Head of State also emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral conversation about the public debt and the country’s future.
“I also propose that within the next 14 days, a multi-sectoral, multistakeholder engagement be held with a view to charting the way forward on matters relating to the content of the Bill as well as auxiliary issues raised in recent days on the need for austerity measures and strengthening our fight against corruption.”
{{Debt distress
}}
In his address on Wednesday, President Ruto acknowledged that the Finance Bill 2024 is among the painful measures the government has had to take since assuming office in September 2022 to maintain Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets.
Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
This, however, did not stop the demonstrations as protesters demanded the withdrawal of the entire Bill.
For the first time in Kenya’s 61 years of independence, angry protesters stormed Parliament in Nairobi yesterday, causing massive destruction after lawmakers defied calls to reject the Finance Bill 2024, which seeks to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
At least five people were shot dead by the police and more than 31 others were injured in the violent confrontation, according to Amnesty International.
Uhuru said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives, calling on the current administration to listen to the people to avert more loss of life.
“I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. It is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead,” the former Kenyan Head of State stated.
“Leaders must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people. I therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer,” he added.
As a former president, Uhuru said he had felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya and called for wisdom and civility to navigate the current crisis.
“Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and speak to the people and not at the people. I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed,” Uhuru added.
Odinga, on his part, urged the state to “stop murdering Kenya’s children.”
He said Ruto’s administration had refused to listen to the cries of Kenyans on high taxation and is instead pushing through additional taxes amid the high cost of living.
“Matters that should have been resolved through dialogue and humility have degenerated into developments that have never been witnessed in the 61-year history of our country since Independence,” Odinga stated.
“I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”
The former Kenyan Prime Minister called on Ruto’s government to suspend the Finance Bill and pave the way for dialogue with the young people, “Gen Z,” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
“Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear. This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life-and-death matter for the government and Kenyans,” he noted.
“Kenyans will recall that when there was a standoff in the last Parliament over calls for the reduction of tax on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 8 per cent, the then Jubilee government agreed to suspend that provision and fell back on the old Finance Act until a consensus was reached. The same can happen today, with the government suspending the current Finance Bill and continuing with the Finance Act of last year.”
He urged the East African Community, the African Union and the United Nations to immediately be seized of the unfolding situation in Kanya to save lives and the country.
“I mourn with the families that have lost loved ones and stand with them in the ongoing struggle for Justice and economic liberation,” he added.
President Ruto on Tuesday night termed the protests as treasonous and labelled the protesters as dangerous criminals. He vowed to crack down on the “organisers and financiers of the protests” to prevent a repeat of the same.
{{Debt burden
}}
The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.
In separate statements, AU Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki urged the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, while also calling on peaceful demonstrations amid concerns over “punitive” taxes imposed on the citizenry by President William Ruto’s administration.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries – including of journalists and medical personnel – connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya.
“I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully,” Guterres stated.
Faki, on his part, also called for constructive dialogue to address the issues raised by the protesters.
“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also appeals to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya,” Faki said.
He added, “The Chairperson reiterates the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country.”
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has expressed interest in heading the AU Commission next year, also condemned the killings reported on Tuesday, urging the state to “stop murdering Kenya’s children.”
Odinga called on Ruto’s government to suspend the Finance Bill and pave the way for dialogue with the young people, “Gen Z,” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
“I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Odinga stated, adding, “Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear…This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life-and-death matter for the government and Kenyans.”
Angry protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament in Nairobi after lawmakers passed the bill seeking to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
The protesters overwhelmed a contingent of anti-riot police officers manning the parliament buildings, set police vehicles ablaze, and shattered the windows of some of the facilities.
At least five people died from gunshot wounds, and thirty-one others were injured during Tuesday’s protests, according to Amnesty International.
The human rights group said it documented 13 cases of people shot with live bullets, four with rubber bullets, and three people who were hit with launcher canisters.
The organization also revealed that 21 abductions and disappearances by uniformed and non-uniformed officers were reported ahead of Tuesday’s protests.
“We urge the State and all parties to de-escalate the situation and stop the use of lethal force to protect life,” the organisation appealed.
President Ruto on Tuesday night termed the protests as treasonous and labelled the protesters as dangerous criminals. He vowed to crack down on the “organisers and financiers of the protests” to prevent a repeat of the same.
{{Debt burden
}}
The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
The opposition has in recent weeks faulted President Ruto’s proposed taxes, claiming he is under external pressure to overburn Kenyans struggling to make ends meet.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.
The protests, largely led by young people popularly known as Gen Z, turned ugly on Tuesday afternoon after lawmakers voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024.
The protesters overwhelmed a contingent of anti-riot police officers manning the parliament buildings, set police vehicles ablaze, and shattered the windows of some of the facilities.
Local media reports indicate that several people have been shot in the ongoing protests, with some fatalities being reported.
During the Third Reading of the Bill on Tuesday, 195 Members of Parliament voted in support of the Bill while 106 voted to reject the proposed law. There were three spoilt votes.
Similar protests rocked the country last week as the Kenyan Parliament debated the contentious Bill which has divided the House.
Despite the spirited demonstrations, parliament voted for the Finance Bill 2024 to enter the committee stage.
204 MPs voted in favour of the bill while 115 voted against it, paving the way for the bill to move to the committee stage and a third reading. Having sailed through the third reading on Tuesday, it will now be sent to President William Ruto for assent.
{{Protests rock Kenyan streets
}}
Ahead of the House’s consideration of the bill on Tuesday afternoon, young people came out in droves to demand its total rejection.
The protesters engaged in running battles with the police, who used teargas canisters and water cannons to disperse the growing crowds.
Rita Auma Obama, an activist and half-sister of former United States President Barack Obama, was among the protesters caught up in the melee. A video that has gone viral on social media shows Auma being forced to cut short her interview with CNN due to the overwhelming teargas deployed by the police.
BREAKING: Auma Obama is tear-gassed by Kenya police live on CNN as she joins peaceful protests against over-taxation pic.twitter.com/XLpsvLlDyz
The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
The opposition coalition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has in recent weeks faulted President Ruto’s proposed taxes, claiming he is under external pressure to overburn Kenyans struggling to make ends meet after a series of “punitive” taxes.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
The government said the proposed Eco Levy will only be imposed on imported finished products that contribute to e-waste and thus harm the environment when they are no longer in use.
Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.
In response to the Gen Z protests, President Ruto said on Sunday that he is willing to engage with young people to address their concerns.
“I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation so that we can identify your issues and work together as a nation,” President Ruto remarked at a local church service.
The Head of State disclosed this on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during a campaign event in Nyarugenge District.
Kagame stated that nothing makes him prouder than leading the members of the RPF Inkotanyi and Rwandans in general, who are willing and capable.
In his speech to the over 300,000 people who attended the RPF Inkotanyi campaign, Kagame highlighted that Rwanda has endured a difficult history but emerged with courage.
He said, “Our country has a dark history, it has gone through many tragic events that took away our loved ones. People have their time and go, but being taken away by someone else, having your life ended by someone else, is not right. That is why it doesn’t surprise me that Rwanda, having gone through those hardships, has produced people like you, people like us. This should always be the case, it should always define Rwanda.”
He continued by saying that for Rwanda to continue being defined by this bravery, certain measures are necessary.
He said, “For this to persist, Rwandans need to choose well, understand well, and perform well. We were fortunate to have the RPF during the historical changes.”
Kagame said that if Rwandans continue to embody this courageous behaviour, they will achieve much, silencing those who criticize Rwanda.
Using an example from his own experience, President Kagame pointed out that there are those who criticize Rwanda without understanding its history, as someone once asked him if he was a Tutu (meaning Hutu) or a Hutsi (meaning Tutsi).
He said, “But you know that most of those who talk about us don’t even know us. Someone once asked me, in these daily inquiries they make, and they also show disrespect, asking me ‘Who are you? Are you Tutu (Hutu) or Hutsi (Tutsi)?’ Not knowing what they were talking about, I told him, ‘In Rwanda, I am all of those things and more.’”
“When he wanted to ask if I was a Hutu or a Tutsi, saying Tutu or Hutsi, I told him, ‘I am both, but also more,’ I said, ‘but all these are encompassed in being a Rwandan; I am a Rwandan.’”
President Kagame urged Rwandans to respect these foreigners, but only if they are also respected.
He said, “Live with them, give them value, respect them but only if they give you value and respect you as well.”
The officers were flagged off by President William Ruto at the Administration Police Training College in Embakasi, Nairobi, after months of delays occasioned by court cases aimed at blocking the mission.
The Kenyan Head of State, who has come under heavy criticism in recent months over Kenya’s preparedness to tackle gang violence, expressed confidence that the presence of Kenya’s police in Haiti will restore much-needed order.
“Kenya has solid credentials in peace-making and conflict resolution globally. Our police officers’ presence in Haiti will give relief to the men, women and children whose lives have been broken by gang violence. We will work with the international community to bring lasting stability in Haiti,” President Ruto stated.
The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti was authorised by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023.
This followed widespread gang violence that has rendered much of the country lawless and ungovernable.
In 2021, assassins killed Haiti former President Jovenel Moise at his residence in the capital Port-au-Prince and the violence has not stopped as the gangs continue to attack police stations, prisons and other institutions.
Kenya offered to send about 1,000 police to stabilise Haiti alongside personnel from several other countries but the mission faced hurdles after the High Court declared it illegal in January.
The court stated that the National Security Council lacked the legal authority to send police officers to another country, arguing that authorities could only deploy officers abroad if a “reciprocal arrangement” was in place with the host government.
The mission got the green light following the signing of the reciprocal agreement between Kenya and Haiti, witnessed by President Ruto and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henri in March.
Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga opposed the mission, stating that Haitians should be given the opportunity to institute home-grown solutions to establish a lasting democracy in the Caribbean nation, rather than having foreign nations advocate for external interference.
“The people of Haiti are of African descent and they have retained their Africanness; they are very proud people. They have just not been allowed because of external interference. Haitians should be encouraged to find a home-grown solution so that you can have a sustainable democracy in Haiti,” Odinga said during a past interview.
“The Haitian issue does not need organs, we just need to have a conference to get Haitians together to create a condition for healing the wounds which have been inflicted so that a new nation can emerge in Haiti.”
The Ugandan First Lady, born June 24, 1948, is celebrating her 76th birthday.
Taking to social media, Museveni heaped praise on the woman of his youth and the ‘Managing Director’ of his family for sticking with him through thick and thin during the 51 years they have been married.
“Greetings. Good news. Today, the 24th of June, the Managing Director of ‘the Museveni Incorporated’, the Matriarch of the Museveni group, the Mother, the Grandmother, my God-given comrade-in-arms of nearly 51 years, my dear wife, Maama Janet Kainembabazi Kataaha Museveni, has turned 76 years of age.
“Praised be the Lord who helped us to navigate through so many challenges and gave us so many blessings. I refer to her as the Managing Director, because while all of us are shareholders and Directors in the Museveni Incorporated, she is the Managing Director,” Museveni wrote.
He recounted the unique role Janet played in raising their children as he ‘wandered around as a freedom fighter’.
“Her unique role in our family story, came out between 1981 and 1986, when we had to send her into exile with our young children: Muhoozi, Natasha, Patience, and Diana- Muhoozi being 6 years and Diana 6 months. While our family had been in exile before (1971-1979), I had been with them in Tanzania-coming and going.
“However, this time, she was with the children alone in Kenya and Sweden. Although by this time, I was well-known and I had many African friends (Samora Machel, Shamuyarira, Muammar Gaddafi, friends in the USA, Arap Moi, etc.), systems do not always work well. She had to carry all the burden until they relocated to Sweden where the system was very friendly,” Museveni narrated.
He added, “I salute the Swedish for supporting my family between 1983 and 1986. I salute Ambassador Mirjam Blaak for making the arrangements. I thank God who gave me Maama Janet to give me a family even as I wandered around as a freedom fighter.”
Museveni also recognised Janet for supporting orphans in Uganda and wished her a long and fulfilling life.
“In the social-political areas of Uganda, God has used Maama to support the orphans (UWESO) and to give corruption-free political leadership in the Ministry of Karamoja and the Ministry of Education, guided by the ideas of patriotism, not to forget the time she was MP for Ruhaama. I also thank God for her role with the youth.
“I thank God for bringing Maama into my life. Happy birthday (Ginga- Grandmother) and, at least, another 24 happy birthdays to clock 100 years, if not more.”
{{Met accidentally
}}
Back in April, Museveni disclosed that he accidentally met Janet at the Intercontinental Hotel and their love blossomed, leading to their marriage in August 1973.
The 79-year-old made the revelations when the couple hosted a private dinner to celebrate the 50th birthday of their son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Museveni and Janet marked their 50th wedding anniversary on August 26, 2023.
The couple celebrated their union in style by renewing their vows in a colourful ceremony attended by close friends and family members.
General Muhoozi and his wife played the roles of best man and maid of honour at the event, with their grandchildren comprising the bridal team.
Speaking during the RPF Inkotanyi campaign at Shyogwe sector in Muhanga District on June 24, 2024, President Kagame, who is seeking to defend his seat in the polls slated for July 15, reminded the citizens that there was a time when Rwandans who had fled abroad were denied the right to return home.
This happened during the regime of Juvénal Habyarimana, who told Rwandans living in Uganda that Rwanda was like a glass full of water, and adding more would cause it to overflow.
Habyarimana’s policy of preventing Rwandans from returning was one of the reasons why the RPA Inkotanyi forces in Uganda started the liberation struggle in October 1990, ultimately achieving victory in July 1994.
Since the RPF took power, many Rwandans who had fled have returned to join others in rebuilding a country that had been devastated in many ways. Those familiar with Rwanda’s history affirm that Rwanda continues to stun the world with its massive transformation over the past 30 years.
Kagame told the gathering in Muhanga District that although Rwanda is small on the map, it is not too small to accommodate all Rwandans, and therefore, no one should be a refugee because they are denied the right to live in Rwanda.
He said, “No one should be a refugee. Every Rwandan, whether today or in the future, regardless of our population size, will fit in Rwanda.”
The RPF Inkotanyi candidate explained that for Rwandans to be fully accommodated in Rwanda, they need to work together, embrace modernity, and do things efficiently.
He said, “For people to be accommodated in a country like Rwanda, which is considered small, yet still manages to accommodate many, it is possible, but it requires working together, embracing modernity, doing things efficiently, and ensuring Rwanda is prosperous.”
He emphasized that the unity of Rwandans is one of the core values of the RPF Inkotanyi, urging them to make the right choice in the upcoming elections on July 15 to continue the journey of building Rwanda together.
In his speech during the campaign event held in Rugerero sector in Rubavu District on June 23, 2024, President Kagame touched on Rwanda’s relations with neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Residents of Rubavu, especially those in border sectors like Rugerero, asserted that their security is well-maintained, even though they often hear gunfire from nearby areas in the DRC.
Kagame highlighted that security is a cornerstone of Rwanda’s development because, without it, progress is impossible.
He said, “Nothing can be achieved without security. Security is essential, and it is provided by everyone; you as Rwandans are the primary contributors to security.”
The RPF flag bearer went on to explain that security agencies perform their duties based on the foundation laid by the citizens.
He said, “The other security agencies you see rely on you, they are built on you, the goodwill among you makes it possible to achieve complete security, enabling Rwandans to reach their goals.”
Kagame explained that Rwanda is secure because of everyone’s contribution.
The RPF Inkotanyi candidate told the citizens that as long as they continue to contribute to the country’s development as they have for the past 30 years, anyone wishing ill upon Rwanda will find no opportunity.
He said, “Those born in the last 30 years, some have become ministers, some travel by plane, others have studied and excelled, but we have achieved all this through our usual hard work, good mindset, dedication, and ambition. Where would anyone wishing ill upon Rwanda find a way in? Nowhere. And as we progress and build more, we also build the capacity to ensure that our achievements endure.”
Since 2023, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi have expressed intentions to attack Rwanda and oust Paul Kagame from power. These statements have severely deteriorated relations between Rwanda and these countries.
Kagame emphasized that Rwanda seeks to live peacefully with everyone but is ready to confront anyone who wishes to harm it. He said, “We want to live in harmony with our neighbours and others, especially African countries and others far beyond. For us, the primary goal is to coexist peacefully, but when you build with the intention of peaceful coexistence, you must also be prepared. If someone does not wish to coexist peacefully and seeks to harm you, are you ready? That is the question we continually seek to answer in our own way.”
The RPF Inkotanyi candidate stated that Rwandans prioritize doing what concerns them and achieving their ambitions; if it involves cooperation or peaceful coexistence with other countries, they will do so, but if “other things” arise, they are prepared for those too.
