Rwanda2017: Did PL, PSD fear to burn their fuel?

                                                                                            Cartoon: Igihe.com

Both Liberal Party (PL) and Social Democratic Parties decided to back the incumbent President Paul Kagame as their candidate in upcoming presidential election.

These two most biggest opposition political parties that fought along side with the ruling party RPF-Inkotanyi in building the country from ashes to the development that we have today, expressed their commitment to endorse Kagame as their flag bearer on 3^rd and 4^th June 2017, two months before scheduled Presidential Elections are held August, 3 and 4. 

PSD and PL shared same historical bitterness and sweetness of the time since their foundation in 1990s where they both suffered attacks and harassments from General Juvenal Habyarimana’s regime. Despite of some ups and down, they both stood strong fighting against dictatorial regime and fight for wellbeing of people.

They were among opposition parties that descended into streets to force President  Habyarimana to accept a coalition government which would give them a chance to share power. Together, they confronted dramatic economic decline and the evidence of increasing corruption and favoritism on the part of Habyarimana and his inner circle.

The decision is Democratic?

In 2015, over four million Rwandans petitioned parliament calling for the amendment of the constitution to allow President Kagame, who was serving what would be his last term, to stand again.

During PSD’s extraordinary congress, which coincided with the party’s 25th anniversary, the party President Dr Vincent Biruta said that the objective of the party was not about to “simply contest” for the sake of it, but rather support whoever it is that seek to foster Rwanda socio-economic transformation.

In a rather similar move, the PL political party announced that they wouldn’t front anyone else during August presidential polls but rather back Kagame.  After they declared their position, some critics said that instead these two parties of supporting President Paul Kagame as they did in 2003, they would be presented by their own candidates as they did in 2010.

In Africa, political opposition is often seen to be valid when they oppose every decision that is taken by the ruling party, even denying factual achievements, to the detriment of the truth and often the wellbeing of the population. 

In a westerns mirror, a good opposition politician in Africa is credited when it’s like that but not in Europe. For example: to say Rwanda has no security yet it scores high in being the safest country in the world; that’s a real political opposition.

Since Rwanda gained its Independence in 1962, it was ruled under politics that was based on ethnic group divisions where you could vote a candidate because he is from your side.

But since RPF-Inkotanyi liberated Rwanda in 1994; Rwandans set their own meaning of Democracy in order to build the country they want today and days to come.

On that way, Political parties chose to do politics by making wishes of people priority. As a result, Rwanda is the brightest country after 23 years.

A good political decision goes along the will of community. In my opinion I think if Rwandans showed that they want Kagame overwhelmingly. PSD and PL as parties that can even make changes through parliament couldn’t ignore the choice of their fellow countrymen and women.

Whoever knows where the country came from and where it is headed for, can’t look down who invested his brain and efforts to make it to be. 
So, PSD, PL took the democratic decision for their devotees and 98,3 % of Rwandans who voted ‘’YES’’ to amend 2003 National constitution.