It is going to be another stressful week, although I do consider myself lucky to only have 3 test next week. I would have to start studying mostly for Geography and Chinese, and I hope I would be able to make it in time. However, studies aside, I want to comment about the article in this week's Time Magazine on Rwanda's President and his successes. Firstly, I would definitely like to congratulate Mr Kagame for how he has gone against the norm and refuted the stereotypes of rebel governments by showing his capability to manage the country and mostly to understand the feelings of the people. Mr Kagame has ruled for 16 years now, and if he wins the August elections, he would have another 7 years to his reign. Mr Kagame was raised in a refugee camp in Southern Uganda, although he was a Rwandan, and he grew up to become a rebel. He helped Yoweri Museveni seize power in Uganda, and co-founded the Rwandan Patriotic Front, which invaded Rwanda to overthrow the government. It was then the civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi broke out.

The controversial issue about Mr Kagame's rule was that he has been accused of war crimes, and also being blamed for pushing the country towards dictatorship after he arrested opposition members and banned the Human Rights Watch. However, we should have to understand the basis of his actions. His purpose was to abolish any memories that would remind the people of the genocides. Hence, he decided to ban the newspaper UMUSESO, which according to Mr Kagame, would bring bad blood between the two ethnic groups. Mostly, Mr Kagame has been efficient in ensuring that he would make the country prosperous. Its economy has grown an average of 6.4% since 2001, and it was ranked the most improved country by the World Bank last year. To me, this is the marks of a good leader, as it shows how Mr Kagame has reached out to his coutrymen, trying to mend the ties without breaking relationships. How he managed in his country's rebirth convinces us the importance of his reign has overwritten and redefined Human Rights.

He has solved the people's problems. He is taking the country out of its worst history. He has gained the support of the people. Let us embrace such leaders who put their concern for their own people.