30 01 13 CNN – Rwanda’s President Kagame: ‘We have a problem’
After the genocide, Kagame brought economic and social progress to
Rwanda by effectively using the foreign aid flowing in from the international
community. These funds make up nearly half of the country’s
budget.
But now, the country's economic lifeline is in jeopardy since the
United Nations accused Rwanda of backing rebels in neighboring Democratic
Republic of Congo. The U.N. says the country has helped to create and militarily
support the “M23” rebel group that wants to overthrow the democratically-elected
government of President Joseph Kabila.
The White House says that President Obama called Kagame to emphasize
“the importance of permanently ending all support to armed groups in the DRC.”
Kagame denies backing the M23 rebels.
“It's a big ‘no’ on the issue of saying that I am accepting this kind
of responsibility,” Kagame told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an interview
Friday. “The solution is for us to come together as two countries, as a region
and be forward looking and find solutions. Rwanda is very active in this and we
want a positive solution out of that.”
Despite Kagame’s denial, some of its major donors are already
withholding money and financing for projects. As a result, the country’s finance
minister has lowered the projected economic growth for
2013.
“I think we already have a problem,” Kagame said – acknowledging the
situation in DRC is costing his country, regardless of whether or not the
accusations are true.
“It has led to a problem where there is this discomfort we found
ourselves in, that affects the progress of my country and also, of course,
creates other problems within the region,” he said.
In addition to these accusations, Kagame finds himself increasingly
criticized for a growing authoritarian streak at home.
However, Kagame does not appear worried about his legacy being
tarnished – pointing to many of his achievements: “We have registered economic
growth 8% year in, year out for almost last ten years. We have seen women
empowered like nowhere else,” he said. “I don't know what is being talked
about.”
Will Kagame step down in 2017?
Africa has been plagued by leaders who refuse to hand over the reins
of power.
The Rwandan constitution says Kagame must step down in 2017. By that
time he will have served as president for 17 years.
“Don't worry about that,” Kagame told Amanpour when asked if he would
hand over power by that time. “We have the constitution in place. We have always
tried to do our best to satisfy the needs of our people and expectations of our
people.”
Amanpour asked if that meant “yes,” he would step
down.
He replied, “No. It is a broad answer to say you don't need to worry
about anything.”
http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/