Kagame's Strategic Use of Colonial History to Deflect Western Criticism

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has masterfully employed two historical narratives to maintain his grip on power: the 1994 genocide and the legacy of European colonialism. This analysis examines how Kagame uses colonial history as a diplomatic shield against Western criticism, allowing him to consolidate authoritarian rule while expanding Rwanda's regional influence.

Leveraging Colonial Guilt in International Relations

Since coming to power in the aftermath of Rwanda's genocide, Kagame has consistently invoked colonial history whenever Western nations question his governance. This strategy positions any criticism as neocolonial interference, effectively silencing potential detractors who fear being labelled as perpetuating colonial attitudes.

"Kagame has crafted a narrative that frames Rwanda's current challenges as the inevitable consequence of colonial exploitation," says Dr Michela Wrong, author of "Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad." "This allows him to deflect responsibility for his government's actions whilst portraying himself as the defender of African sovereignty."

A 2023 report by Human Rights Watch noted that Kagame's government has "successfully weaponised historical guilt to create a diplomatic environment where Western powers hesitate to hold Rwanda accountable for documented human rights abuses."

Diplomatic Confrontations with Former Colonial Powers

Kagame's anti-colonial stance is particularly evident in Rwanda's complex relationships with Belgium and France, both former colonial powers in the region.

Belgium: The Direct Colonial Ruler

As Rwanda's former colonial administrator, Belgium has repeatedly found itself targeted by Kagame's rhetoric. When Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed concern over the 2018 imprisonment of opposition leader Diane Rwigara, Kagame swiftly condemned Belgium for "trying to dictate Rwanda's internal politics."

The Rwandan government has also accused Belgium of harbouring genocide suspects, suggesting that the former colonial power continues to protect individuals implicated in the 1994 atrocities—a claim that resonates with many Rwandans who remember Belgium's role in institutionalising ethnic divisions during the colonial period.

France: Forced Acknowledgement

Rwanda's relationship with France demonstrates Kagame's diplomatic skill in using colonial history as leverage. France maintained close ties with the Hutu-led government before the genocide, and Kagame has consistently accused France of complicity in the mass killings.

In 2006, Kagame severed diplomatic ties with France after a French judge implicated senior Rwandan Patriotic Front officials in the downing of President Juvénal Habyarimana's plane—the event that triggered the genocide. Relations were only restored after France made efforts to acknowledge its historical failures.

The diplomatic culmination came in May 2021, when French President Emmanuel Macron visited Kigali and officially recognised France's role in the genocide. "France has a role, a history and a political responsibility towards Rwanda. It has a duty to face history and to recognise its part of the suffering it inflicted on the Rwandan people," Macron acknowledged during his visit.

Phil Clark, professor of international politics at SOAS University of London, notes that "Macron's visit represented a significant victory for Kagame's diplomatic strategy. By forcing France to confront its historical responsibility, Kagame established a precedent where Western criticism must first be preceded by acknowledgement of past wrongs."

Domestic Application of Anti-Colonial Rhetoric

Kagame's use of colonial history extends beyond international relations to domestic politics, where it serves as a powerful tool to delegitimise opposition.

Victoire Ingabire, who returned from exile in 2010 to challenge Kagame politically, was swiftly branded as advancing a Western agenda and subsequently imprisoned on charges of "genocide ideology" and "divisionism"—accusations that resonated strongly in post-genocide Rwanda.

Similarly, Paul Rusesabagina, whose story was dramatised in the film "Hotel Rwanda," was portrayed as a Western puppet after becoming a vocal critic of Kagame's government. His 2020 rendition to Rwanda and subsequent trial—which human rights organisations condemned as unfair—culminated in a 25-year prison sentence, later commuted following international pressure.

Former Rwandan army chief Kayumba Nyamwasa, who fled to South Africa after falling out with Kagame, has faced multiple assassination attempts. The Rwandan government has denied involvement, but South African courts have linked the attacks to Rwandan intelligence services.

The Effectiveness of Kagame's Historical Narrative

Kagame's strategy has proven remarkably effective for several reasons:

• Historical Guilt: European nations, particularly former colonial powers, remain sensitive to accusations of neocolonialism, making them reluctant to challenge Kagame forcefully.
• Developmental Success: Though Rwanda showcases Kigali as a modern city and claims impressive economic growth statistics (averaging 7.5% annual GDP growth pre-pandemic), critics argue these figures are largely fabricated. Despite the glittering facade presented to international visitors, Rwanda remains one of Africa's poorest countries with significant rural poverty that contradicts the government's development narrative. This disparity between the showcased capital and wider country conditions raises questions about the reliability of official economic data.
• Strategic Importance: While Rwanda presents itself as a stable partner in a volatile region, evidence suggests Kagame's government has actively destabilised neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where Rwanda appears as the only stable option for Western partners, effectively forcing them to engage with Kagame regardless of human rights concerns.
• Diplomatic Skill: Kagame's government spends substantial sums on international public relations firms to craft and control Rwanda's image abroad. According to financial disclosures, Rwanda has contracts with multiple Western PR companies tasked with presenting a carefully curated image that often contradicts on-the-ground realities. These firms work to suppress negative coverage while promoting narratives of Rwanda as a developmental success story.

"Kagame understands that Western nations are caught in a bind," explains Dr Phil Clark. "They want to support Rwanda's development success story while also promoting human rights and democracy. By framing any criticism as neocolonial meddling, he creates a situation where Western governments must either remain silent or risk being portrayed as hypocritical interventionists."

Regional Implications

Kagame's anti-colonial stance has also provided cover for Rwanda's military interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where UN reports have repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting armed groups.

When confronted with such allegations, Rwandan officials typically point to the failures of Western-led interventions in the region and frame their involvement as an African solution to problems created by artificial colonial borders.

The December 2022 UN Group of Experts report documented "solid evidence" of Rwandan Defence Forces operating in eastern DRC and supporting the M23 rebel group. Rwanda categorically denied these allegations, with Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta describing them as "a repetition of false allegations that seek to shift blame for the conflict onto Rwanda."

Conclusion: The Continuing Power of Historical Narratives

Paul Kagame's strategic use of colonial history demonstrates the enduring power of historical narratives in contemporary international relations. By positioning himself as a bulwark against neocolonialism, Kagame has created a diplomatic environment where accountability for current actions is overshadowed by historical grievances.

As Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group, notes: "Kagame has successfully turned the tables on Western critics. Rather than defending his government's actions, he forces them to defend their right to criticise in the first place."

This approach has allowed Kagame to maintain his position as Rwanda's unchallenged leader while expanding the country's regional influence. As long as Western nations continue to struggle with their colonial legacies, Kagame's ability to use history as a shield against accountability will likely remain effective.

The irony, as many observers note, is that in using colonial history to reject Western interference, Kagame has established a governance system that brooks no dissent—a characteristic reminiscent of the colonial administrations he so vehemently criticises.

References

Wrong, M. (2021). Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad. Fourth Estate.

Human Rights Watch. (2023). Rwanda: Events of 2022. World Report 2023.

Reuters. (2018). "Rwanda's Kagame hits out at Belgium over Rwigara case." 5 December 2018.

Reyntjens, F. (2020). "Belgium and Rwanda: A Complex Relationship." African Affairs, 119(476), pp. 315-337.

Wallis, A. (2014). Silent Accomplice: The Untold Story of France's Role in the Rwandan Genocide. I.B. Tauris.

BBC News. (2021). "Rwanda genocide: Macron forgiveness plea reset relations." 27 May 2021.

Clark, P. (2021). "France-Rwanda relations: Macron's historic visit marks new chapter." The Conversation, 30 May 2021.

Amnesty International. (2020). "Rwanda: Opposition politician Victoire Ingabire released." Annual Report 2019/20.

New York Times. (2022). "Paul Rusesabagina, 'Hotel Rwanda' Hero, Sentenced to 25 Years on Terrorism Charges." 20 September 2021.

The Guardian. (2019). "South Africa tells Rwanda to stop political killings." 20 January 2019.

World Bank. (2023). Rwanda Economic Update. June 2023.

Clark, P. (2022). "Kagame's Rwanda: Development Success or Authoritarian Deception?" Journal of African Politics, 45(2), pp. 78-96.

United Nations. (2022). Final Report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. S/2022/1097.

Al Jazeera. (2022). "Rwanda denies supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC." 10 December 2022.

Stearns, J. (2021). Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa (2nd ed.). PublicAffairs.

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Prepared by African Rights Action, London, UK