As dictator, Kagame shares all characteristics of dictatorship with many world dictators.
Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) as One Party, One Leader and One Programme
RPF is the only party that is allowed to exist and it is the Kagame's own party. Other credible and independent political parties, civil society associations and organizations are not allowed to function. These are banned. All opposition to the dictator Kagame is ruthlessly suppressed. Hitler used to say, "Swastika or gallows". Kagame has no respect of human life. He kills or exiles anyone he considers to be against his plans, decisions, instructions and policies.
One overall Leader
Full faith is concentrated in the Kagame's leadership, as one man leader for everybody, everywhere and everything. Kagame is equal to national unity, economic progress, liberation and patriotism. He is considered to be a symbol of national prestige. He even believes that he has a role to play at the international scene than any world leader. He is the final authority in every matter and his word is supreme.
One Programme
The whole country is supposed to have one political programme and it is the programme of Kagame's own party. No alternative thinking and proposals are allowed. It is within this context that he is forcing Rwandan people to contribute to his Agaciro Development Fund.
Women are used as a political tool to project Kagame's image to the outside world and to influence the electorate and the parliament outcomes. As gender equality strategy, he believes that women having seats in the Parliament is enough while women’s wellbeing at the village level has continued to deteriorate considerably.
Fear is used as an instrument to control society and to discourage people from questioning the regime. Police and intelligence officers are everywhere and control each citizen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People are terrified into collaborating and making sacrifices for the national interest ( e.g. forced contributions to the Kagame’s Agaciro Development Fund). Any questioning of decisions, practices and policies by Kagame is an act of treason and undermine national security( e.g., imprisoned Political Leader Ingabire Umuhoza).
The national economy is controlled by Kagame and RPF.
All financial and economic resources and assets (e.g. banks, foreign aid, properties, fertile lands, parastatal institutions,etc.) are in the hands of Kagame, RPF and the minority Tutsi in power. Kagame does not believe in the support that he receives from the international community because this may minimise the recognition of his acclaimed economic achievements. The contribution of foreign aid to the annual budgets are minimised by superficially inflating the national contributions. Kagame does not care about employment and wellbeing of his own people. Social and economic indicators are manipulated. Poverty and unemployment are not recognised or discussed. The GDP is inflated annually by the contributions of foreign aid and does not reflect the final goods and services produced within the country.
Together with his supporters, Kagame decides which profitable business to take, to buy entirely or to participate in as shareholders. Private properties to buy for redevelopment or for personal uses are chosen by Kagame and his crony and are bought at minimal prices. They have the power to buy your property at the price they decide. Rights to property do not exist in Rwanda.
Absence of Individual Liberty and Rights
Rwandan people do not enjoy any liberty or rights under Kagame's rule. Maximum obedience to Kgame's instructions is equated to the maximum liberty. People are not allowed any liberty of speech, association and press. All agencies of administration, education, propaganda such as schools, colleges, radio,TV, newspapers, private and public institutions and are controlled by Kagame. In the words of Mussolini "people do not want liberty but they want law and order. Under the pretence of national security, violation of rights is institutionalised. This is particularly the case in regard to privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of choice. Important issues such as human rights, poverty, racial equality, democracy, income inequality, injustice are taboos and any discussion about them is considered as an attempt to undermine or to deny Rwanda’s artificial economic achievements.
Kagame nurtures open hostility towards journalists, lawyers and human rights who question the regime. Such people are branded as dissidents and traitors, are removed from their jobs, are exiled, imprisoned, disappear or are prevented from entering in the country when they are foreigners. Free expression in the media and in the arts is muzzled, making them into mouthpieces for the regime. People are appointed into any public job on the basis of support for the regime. Exiled dissidents and political opponents are silenced, assassinated or genocide perpetrators. " No criticism against Kagame is tolerated. People are supposed to believe and obey. Democratic slogans of liberty, human rights, equality and fraternity are replaced by slogans like duty, discipline, patriotism, liberation, and sacrifice. Mussolini asserted, "Liberty is a dead carcass, I kick it."
National Glorification
Kagame glorifies Rwanda to an illogical extreme. A mad sense of patriotism and liberation must be inculcated in the minds of all people. The military is glorified and imitated at school, in parades, hymns, pledges, ceremonies, flags, uniforms, sport and external war adventures. Kagame glorifies war. War is considered to be essential for the normal health of body-politic. The dictator believes that war can be replicated and have the same effects anywhere in the world( e.g.Museveni war against Uganda with the support from Tanzania, Kagame’s war to Rwanda with the support from Uganda, now Kagame’s war to Democratic Republic of Congo with the support by Kagame).
The state is all powerful and it must enhance its prestige. Kagame adopts a war-like policy and glorify brute force as the means for achieving national greatness (e.g. Supporting war against Democratic Republic of Congo). In the opinion of Hitler, "In eternal warfare, mankind has become great; in eternal peace it will be ruined." To quote Mussolini, "War is to the man what maternity is to the woman."
All sections of the nation must support Kagame's wars including religious leaders and Rwandan academics who recently wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General denying Kagame's support to M23. Kagame uses international academics and consultants to support his dictatorship. His foreign supporters are always paid for the work commissioned by Kagame.
Kagame does not trust anyone including the members of his family. Kagame always address publicly to the invisible enemies and to the international community rather than to his own people.
Obsession with crime and punishment
Kagame's dictatorial regime is characterized by the large proportion of political opponents currently imprisoned. Many civilian have been executed or disappeared under Kagame's rule. Police and secret police are given draconian, unchecked and almost limitless powers.
Rampant cronyism, favouritism, nepotism and corruption
Since Kagame took power in 1994, his regime is ruled by a network of close allies and war fighters who appoint each other into positions of importance and who use their financial clout and the authority of their position to protect each other from exposure, scrutiny and accountability. The resulting elite feeds on power and seeks to enrich itself like a predator, at the expense of the people of the country. Corruption is hidden through the same network which also appoints and supervises anti-corruption officers.
Fraud in elections
Rwandan presidential elections are a complete sham. Voters are manipulated by smear campaigns against candidates even when those candidates are participating in agreement with and on behalf of Kagame. The members of the National Electoral Commission are appointed by Kagame. The electoral legislation was designed to allow Kagame to win any presidential election. All political parties are members of Rwandan Political Party Forum. Kagame agrees and decides the candidates to compete with in presidential elections. Political Opponents have been thrown into prison and some opposition candidates have been assassinated, while those who have been in prison are prohibited from participating in any future political life of the country. The judiciary collaborates to manipulate and control elections. Fraud and perversion of democratic principles is as predictable as the outcome of such elections.
Conclusion
Kagame's dictatorship is a totalitarian regime which controls each and every aspect of human personality and life, and takes into its fold all human activities in the social, economic, political, educational, religious and cultural spheres. No margin for individual liberty and human rights is left behind. Nothing against Kagame is allowed, everything is for and from Kagame, everything is Kagame and his RPF, nothing is allowed or exists outside Kagame and his RPF.
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