Paul Kagame has long been hailed as a visionary leader who lifted Rwanda from the ashes of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. However, beneath the surface of his carefully crafted image lies a much darker reality: a regime marked by oppression, exploitation, and involvement in the destabilization of neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kagame has been implicated in a series of war crimes, human rights abuses, and the plundering of resources from the DRC. As Pan-Africanists, it is our responsibility to expose the truth about his regime and challenge the narrative that portrays him as a hero of Africa.

Rwanda’s Role in the Genocide of the DRC

Kagame flatly denied Rwanda’s involvement in the crimes committed in the eastern DRC, specifically rejecting allegations of a genocide killed over 12 millions of Congolese . This denial is not only false but also dangerous, as it erases the suffering of millions who have fallen victim to the atrocities committed by Rwandan forces and militias under Kagame’s watch.

Eastern Congo is rich in natural resources, including coltan, a mineral critical to the production of electronics. Rwanda, a country that does not produce significant amounts of coltan, has nonetheless emerged as the world’s top exporter of the mineral. How is this possible? The answer is simple: Kagame’s regime has orchestrated a campaign of looting in the DRC, exploiting the chaos in the region to enrich Rwanda at the expense of Congolese lives. Rwanda’s involvement in the plundering of the DRC’s resources has been well-documented, yet Kagame continues to deny it, insisting that his government is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Kagame’s denial of Rwanda’s role in the DRC’s genocide ignores the testimonies of thousands of survivors who have witnessed the destruction caused by Rwandan militias. These militias, under Kagame’s direction, have raped, murdered, and pillaged with impunity, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. The violence in the region is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy to destabilize the DRC and maintain control over its resources. Kagame’s government benefits from the chaos, as it allows Rwanda to continue its exploitation of the region without accountability.

Dr. Denis Mukwege, the Congolese gynecologist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been a vocal critic of Rwanda’s role in the violence in eastern Congo. Mukwege’s work with survivors of sexual violence has exposed the horrific reality of the conflict, and his calls for justice have been met with disdain by Kagame, who claims that Mukwege is being manipulated by “invisible forces” to attack his regime. This accusation is not only baseless but also an insult to the millions of people who have suffered as a result of Rwanda’s actions.

Kagame’s False Development Narrative

Many African leaders and intellectuals have praised Kagame for transforming Rwanda into an economic success story. However, this so-called development is built on a foundation of exploitation and oppression. Rwanda’s economic gains have been fueled, in part, by the wealth stolen from the DRC. The country’s role as a coltan exporter is a glaring example of how Kagame’s regime has profited from the suffering of others.

Moreover, Kagame’s domestic policies have been marked by repression. The Rwandan people live under an authoritarian regime where dissent is not tolerated, and political opponents are routinely silenced through imprisonment, exile, or assassination. The image of Rwanda as a thriving, peaceful nation is a facade, hiding the reality of a population that is oppressed and a leader who rules with an iron fist.

Kagame Must Face Justice

The international community, particularly Western powers, has long supported Kagame’s regime, viewing him as a stabilizing force in the region. However, this support has come at the cost of justice for the people of the DRC. Kagame has not lifted Rwanda out of chaos for free; his rise to power and his continued dominance have been backed by powerful foreign interests. These interests have enabled Kagame to destabilize the sub-region while sharing in the spoils of the conflict.

Kagame’s actions are not those of a visionary leader but of a war criminal. He has orchestrated a campaign of violence and exploitation that has left millions dead and displaced in the DRC. The time has come for Kagame to be held accountable for his crimes. The international community must stop turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by his regime and bring him to justice for his role in the destabilization of the region.

Conclusion: Pan-Africanism and True Development

As Pan-Africanists, we must reject the false narrative of Kagame’s greatness. Rwanda’s development under his leadership is not the result of hard work and ingenuity but of the exploitation of African lives and resources. Kagame’s regime represents a new form of colonialism, one that preys on its African neighbors for profit and power.

True African development cannot be built on the backs of the oppressed. It cannot be achieved through violence, plunder, and the destruction of lives. Kagame’s vision of Africa is one of chaos and exploitation, and it must be rejected if we are to build a continent that is truly free and prosperous. The people of the DRC, and all of Africa, deserve leaders who will work for peace, justice, and equality, not those who will destroy their fellow Africans for personal gain.