How RPF’s internal electoral process shaped Rwanda’s governance

Author: Lindah Uwase

• 2024-03-02 05:23:00

The internal electoral process of Rwanda’s governing party, RPF-Inkotanyi, allowed every Rwandan to fully participate in choosing the country’s leaders.

On February 24, members of RPF-Inkotanyi embarked on party primaries. Such primaries assume so much importance given that they pave way for the party flagbearers to further contest at the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on July 15.

The implication of what such an electoral exercise means to the country can be better understood with much attention paid to the history of Rwanda. It is now 30 years since RPF-Inkotanyi undertook the noble responsibility of salvaging Rwanda to assume a dignified and evolutionary trajectory following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Wrought by oppressive and divisive politics, these bereavements plunged Rwandans deep into grief. But it is the forward-looking leadership of RPF, under which Rwanda has gained long-lasting stability, unity, and resilience.

Today, among a field of 11 active political parties in Rwanda, RPF-Inkotanyi is the biggest, with its numbers swelling every day. This broad mandate has put them under the responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of the Rwandan people in totality where governance is concerned.

At the center of RPF's governance philosophy is the belief that democracy is key in good governance. This finds expression in that this organization has a commitment to democracy right from the grassroots where members are empowered to decide who should make decisions for them, openly.

Going by the record set in the previous presidential elections, in 2017, where President Paul Kagame became the candidate of RPF, it becomes clear that scrutiny and inclusivity are at the center of how to go about picking the party candidate. Kagame had to go through the members' scrutiny from the grassroots levels before being elected as president. This same process is now underway.

More than that, RPF's leadership embodies the spirit of democracy — an ideology that is ever so strongly built on considerations of inclusivity and representation. Such a model not only significantly contributes to the development of a democratic ethos for the organization but, more importantly, contributes to leadership that is geared towards addressing the needs and hopes of the people.

Beyond Rwanda, the commitment of RPF to genuine democratic practice is a hopeful sign through the broader continent of Africa. Rwanda leads the way with such commitment to a just and people-centric style of governance. It resonates well amongst most Africans on political and social divides.

This commitment of the RPF to internal democracy has a bearing that goes beyond democratic electoral processes to policy formulation and implementation. In this way, it has fostered collective consultation where the interests of all Rwandans are considered in ensuring that parties to this Rwanda project express different opinions.

The RPF, with its value for democratic governance, has set a positive stride towards actual socio-economic development in Rwanda. Policies such as universal health care and free education for all and many others have been championed by RPF – a confirmation that the organization is determined to improve the lives of all Rwandans.

It therefore becomes a safeguard for the RPF against recurrence of divisive politics and trends of authoritarianism, which have been a bane for almost all African countries. In doing so, it opens up ways for an ensured culture that has the potential to foster both political stability and social harmony in ways further securing durable development and nation building.