The Rwandan government seems to have been highly successful in its efforts to move on from the genocide of 1994. Rwanda has become a highly efficient African country. The streets of Kigali are clean, there are many signs of investment in infrastructure and growth of businesses, and corruption is much lower than in surrounding countries. However, the efficiency masks a level of tension which is rising as the next elections approach.
In the past few months there have been a series of bomb attacks, and two senior army officers and one presidential candidate have been arrested. Major-General Charles Muhire has been accused of corruption and misuse of office, and Lieutenant-General Karenzi Karake has been accused of immoral conduct. Their arrests are seen as evidence of divisions in the military. Presidential candidate Victoire Ingabire has been accused of denying the genocide and collaborating with a terrorist organisation.
Notwithstanding the West’s desire to see democracy and free and fair elections throughout the world, many Western observers are nervous about the prospect of anyone other than Paul Kagame being returned as president at the next Rwandan elections. Memories of the genocide still haunt Western consciences, and there is considerable trepidation at the thought of the country falling back into instability.