Rwanda’s Kagame takes on journalist via Twitter

British journalist Ian Birrell got into a spirited exchange with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Twitter yesterday. Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation Louise Mushikiwabo also joined the discussion. Below is their exchange.

Birrell: No-one in media, UN or human rights groups has the moral right to criticise me, says despotic & deluded Paul Kagame. Kagame refused to even answer if he is a religious believer. When asked, he replied ‘Yes and no.’

Kagame: Not you either. No moral right! You give yourself the right to abuse people and judge them like you are the one to decide and determine universally what is right or wrong and what should be believed or not! Wrong your are. You have no such right.

Birrell: Fail to see why you think I have no moral right to offer criticism and opinions. Please explain further. And once more, please explain how and why I ‘just pretend’. Although aware of what happens with regard to press freedom and those who criticise you in Rwanda.

Kagame: Ask Rwandans they will tell you I am not what you call me and I am sure they are not what you think they are. You have no basis for your comments and you don’t know what you are talking about me or Rwanda. I will only hold all that in contempt!

Birrell: Plenty of evidence and your statement that no-one in media, UN or human rights groups can criticise you underlines the point. Presume this is why you dislike human rights groups.

Kagame: Africa - Rwanda will need Africans to work in the lead and in concert with others globally who are genuine to put things right not the likes of you who just pretend!

Birrell: You clearly stated no media, human rights group or the UN had moral right to criticise you, this is despotic and delusional.

Kagame: You did not offer any explanation yourself why you would refer to me as despotic and delusional. Did you just want people to believe it? You were actually just insulting!

Birrell: You are avoiding the point. Please answer why you think media, UN and human rights groups have no right to criticise you.

Kagame: Why did you think I didn’t have a right to my argument with the journalist of FT with whom I outlined that argument? Is that all you know about Rwanda? No need to explain to you anything? Ask your own government/leaders to explain to you those same things.

Birrell: How is there accountability when you shut down papers and prevent rivals from standing in elections?

Kagame: In Rwanda, we hold ourselves and each accountable indeed to a high level and even deal with criticism honestly, openly and fairly!

Birrell: And you still have not answered why you think media, UN and human rights groups have no right to criticise you. Please answer. Also I know of people living in fear of their lives for daring to criticise you. And with good reason.

Kagame: No, the point underlined is that while some in UN, Human rights groups and media criticise, they are not without serious flaws!

Birrell: Sorry, you clearly stated media, human rights groups and UN have no moral right to criticise you. Not first time you’ve said it. So if media can criticize why do you clamp down on press freedom in your country?

Kagame: That have to be questioned more often than not and don’t seem to like it. Probably you don’t yourself. It was those that were being referred to.

Birrell: It is great engaging with a critic like me on Twitter. Just shame he doesn’t allow such debate in Rwanda with his own people.

Birrell and Mushikiwabo
Mushikiwabo: How I wish the simple logic of “despots cannot produce content, hopeful, and upbeat people” would prevail on Ian. Guess too wishful. Would you care to know what 11,000,000 Rwandans think of Paul Kagame before you spread your formed opinion? Too big a challenge for you?

Birrell: Had to gauge opinions of Rwandans when government clamps down on media, closes papers and silences opponents.

Mushikiwabo: How wish the simple logic of “despots cannot produce content, hopeful, and upbeat people” would prevail on Ian. Too wishful!

Birrell: Don’t understand last tweet but notice you are not engaging with arguments like your boss. 
Mushikiwabo : Ian what is so complicated? You can critic but you have no “moral” right. Paul Kagame saved lives, built country and gave hope.

Birrell: So no media, UN or human rights group has any moral right to criticise? Please explain why that is. You talk of saved lives. What about all those millions killed in Congo? The UN report from last year into brutality in DR Congo.

Mushikiwabo: Measure voter turn out and vote, Gallup poll, watch him with crowds, talk back Radio Rwanda, etc

Birrell: Vote marred by harassment and intimidation of rivals, independent journalists and critics. 
Mushikiwabo: I know Rwandans have dealt with the likes of Ian for many years now. They keep the guess wrong and we keep advance.

Birrell: You have consistently failed to answer my points. 
Mushikiwabo: Ian, have you ever heard of Rwanda National Dialogue? Are you familiar with Rwanda president’s monthly press conference? Paul Kagame is too secure to fear critics at home.

Birrell: If so secure, no fear of critics, why silence rivals and shut down media?

Mushikiwabo: Papers associate with criminality. No place in Rwanda. Start by understanding what is print then we talk political rivals most welcome, ethnic bigots and genocide ideologues. Rwanda no go zone. Good question. No rivals because not same league.