Paul Kagame Biography

‘Politico’ Magazine describes him perfectly; he is Paul Kagame, the ‘darling tyrant’. Credited with putting an end to Rwanda’s genocide 20 years ago, Bill Clinton has claimed he is among “the greatest leaders of our time”. Tony Blair has called him a ‘visionary’. Others claim he is Africa’s greatest success story. The Rwandan president’s website boasts of achievements such as increasing educational enrollment rates, significantly improving the economy, and putting the country in a stable, growing position. The political and military mastermind has the western world and international organizations such as the World Bank falling in love and believing he is their best hopes in improving the region. A darker side of this leader, however, has been brought to light. The dictator literally plotted the coup of Rwanda’s government, and succeeded in seizing all power, which continues to this day. After taking power, the genocide continued, only swapping out the offenders. Including the ongoing genocide, Congo Wars, and political assassinations the tyrant is believed to have played a part in the deaths of more than 5 million people since the mid-90s. His crimes against humanity have been ranked with those of Saddam Hussein. Nonetheless, the western world continues to praise the man for taking the nonviable Rwanda and turning it into a land of hope and prosperity.