Opinion
Why Rwanda was the right partner for the UK migrant initiative
As a
recent arrival in the UK, I’ve watched with interest how the British media have
covered the UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership. Sadly, much of what I’ve seen has
given a distinctly distorted view of my country, doubting our capabilities to
provide safety and opportunity to those in need, and questioning our
motives.
As
the new High Commissioner to the UK, it’s my job to give a voice to the Rwandan
people and explain why our country is exactly the right choice of partner for
this innovative initiative.
Because
of our history, Rwanda has a deep connection to those seeking safety and
opportunity in a new land. This experience has shaped our national approach to
migration and asylum issues and has made Rwanda one of the most welcoming
nations in the world, supporting those in need no matter where they come from.
This stands in stark contrast to the false image painted by our critics.
Critics
such as Giles Foden willingly promulgate misinformation about Rwanda to advance
their own agendas. In his recent Guardian
piece, Foden chooses to quote an overnight ‘expert’ on Rwanda, who is far
from the credible source he claims she is. He also chooses to highlight the
case of Paul Rusesabagina, a man convicted of terror offences along with 20
others, to back up his outrageous suggestion that the UK is doing a ‘devils’
bargain’ with President Kagame.
Foden
knows the facts of this case. He knows that Rusesabagina recruited genocidaires
and others into an armed group which then carried out deadly attacks in Rwanda,
killing nine and maiming many more. He also knows that in 2008, a Westminster
Magistrates court proved Rusesabagina’s links to the Hutu Power movement (who
were responsible for the genocide). He also clearly didn’t watch the live
stream of the extensive trial of Rusesabagina and his co-accused, as he would
have seen justice being done in a fair and transparent way. For Rwandans,
this case is remembered for bringing justice to the victims of a terrorist
attacks, though these victims don’t even get a mention.
Foden
makes numerous other farcical allegations, including the suggestion that Rwanda
can’t be trusted to spend the UK’s money, when Rwanda is one of the least
corrupt countries in the world. But one of the most egregious claims is that we
have a poor history of supporting migrants – when overwhelming evidence points
to the contrary.
Foden’s
Rwanda is not a country I recognise. It contradicts the lived experience of
Rwandans, and those who settle here, such as Colonel Dr.
Nesar Ahmed Hamraz and his family. But it also runs counter to the
assessment of the international community who see Rwanda as an important and
trusted partner in supporting those fleeing conflict.
Our
track record speaks for itself. Rwanda already provides refuge for almost
130,000 refugees from neighbours like the DRC and Burundi, as well as
Afghanistan and migrants evacuated from Libya. For the Libya programme, Rwanda
partnered with the UNHCR who’s acting Chief of Mission said at the time: “These
evacuation flights out of Libya continue to provide hope and safety to refugees
and asylum seekers trapped in Libya”. It is hard to believe the UNHCR, or the
African Union (with whom we work with to support displaced people as a
signatory to the Kampala Convention) would have worked with us on these
humanitarian efforts, if we were the country the likes of Foden claim we
are.
What
sets Rwanda’s history apart from many other nations is that much of our most
significant historical events have happened in the past few decades: from the
Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, to Rwanda’s rebirth and transformation over
the past 28 years. This development has been built on simple priorities of
restoring security and safety and offering opportunity to all Rwandans.
After
much work, the country is now often ranked as one of the safest nations in the
world. Our economy has grown consistently allowing us to significantly reduce
our poverty rate and create opportunities for our people. Gender empowerment
has been at the heart of our growth and development, and we now have the
highest rate of women in Parliament in the world and a proud record of women
leading in the public and private sectors. We also take our international responsibilities
seriously, with Rwanda working with fellow nations to address the biggest
issues the world faces – including climate change (Rwanda banned plastic bags
back in 2008 and is now aiming to be the world’s first plastic-free country)
and, of course, migration.
There’s
no doubt that we are a work in progress. Every country is. But the Rwanda of
today is unrecognisable from the country many of us know in 1994. To fail to
even acknowledge this progress when talking about our nation is to fail to tell
our true story. And to distort our history misrepresent the reality that Rwanda
is committed to international initiatives to provide safety to those in need,
such as the migration Partnership, because of our lived experience.
While
everyone is entitled to express their opinions about the partnership, I ask
that people desist from spreading misinformation about Rwanda, as that doesn’t
make for a meaningful debate.
The
writer is Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Source:
www.newtimes.co.rw