{UAH} Yet Another Attempt At Making A Life Presidency In Rwanda
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By David Himbara
Yet Another Attempt At Making A Life Presidency In Rwanda
The Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana famously stated that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." We are currently witnessing this tragedy in Rwanda. President Paul Kagame is now at the top of his game of consolidating his life presidency - from a guerrilla fighter, general, vice presidency, and president.
Kagame has forgotten the past. And he is condemned to repeat it.
So what is the past?
The last peaceful transfer of power in Rwanda was in 1889, when King Rwabugiri proclaimed Rutarindwa co-ruler, thereby designating Rutarindwa the successor. On Rwabugiri's death in 1895, Rutarindwa was proclaimed king. But with the death of Rwabugiri, the queen mother Kanjogera and her brothers plotted to put her own young son Musinga on the throne. This culminated in the 1896 Rucunshu Coup that destroyed Rutarindwa and his court.
From Rutarindwa onwards, it is a series of history repeating it itself, with each power incumbent overthrown and even dying in office.
1. Rutarindwa overthrown and eliminated by Kanjogera who imposed Musinga;
2. Musinga/Kanjogera overthrown by the Belgians;
3. Rudahigwa died mysteriously under Belgians;
4. Ndahindurwa overthrew under Belgians.
5. Kayibanda overthrown by Habyarimana Coup.
6. Habyarimana shot from the sky.
7. Sindikubwabo died a refugee in DRC.
8. Bizimungu went from presidency to prison.
9. The only exception was the transitional Mbonyumutwa before Kayibanda- but then again his resting place was destroyed in 2010.
10. Kagame proclaims that he is different. In power now for 23 years, and assured of ruling until 2034 by the constitution he engineered, he believes he is invincible. That is what Habyarimana called himself - Kinani, or invincible.
Remember Santayana's words? Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. This is a phrase Kagame wouldn't want to hear - because he is the new Kinani.
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-- Yet Another Attempt At Making A Life Presidency In Rwanda
The Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana famously stated that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." We are currently witnessing this tragedy in Rwanda. President Paul Kagame is now at the top of his game of consolidating his life presidency - from a guerrilla fighter, general, vice presidency, and president.
Kagame has forgotten the past. And he is condemned to repeat it.
So what is the past?
The last peaceful transfer of power in Rwanda was in 1889, when King Rwabugiri proclaimed Rutarindwa co-ruler, thereby designating Rutarindwa the successor. On Rwabugiri's death in 1895, Rutarindwa was proclaimed king. But with the death of Rwabugiri, the queen mother Kanjogera and her brothers plotted to put her own young son Musinga on the throne. This culminated in the 1896 Rucunshu Coup that destroyed Rutarindwa and his court.
From Rutarindwa onwards, it is a series of history repeating it itself, with each power incumbent overthrown and even dying in office.
1. Rutarindwa overthrown and eliminated by Kanjogera who imposed Musinga;
2. Musinga/Kanjogera overthrown by the Belgians;
3. Rudahigwa died mysteriously under Belgians;
4. Ndahindurwa overthrew under Belgians.
5. Kayibanda overthrown by Habyarimana Coup.
6. Habyarimana shot from the sky.
7. Sindikubwabo died a refugee in DRC.
8. Bizimungu went from presidency to prison.
9. The only exception was the transitional Mbonyumutwa before Kayibanda- but then again his resting place was destroyed in 2010.
10. Kagame proclaims that he is different. In power now for 23 years, and assured of ruling until 2034 by the constitution he engineered, he believes he is invincible. That is what Habyarimana called himself - Kinani, or invincible.
Remember Santayana's words? Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. This is a phrase Kagame wouldn't want to hear - because he is the new Kinani.
--
"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"
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