Can Paul Kagame Secure His Legacy at Home and Abroad?

Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, is working on a significant airport project in Bugesera, backed by Qatar, as part of his ambition to transform Rwanda into a commercial hub and tourist destination. While his vision is grand, questions persist about his authoritarian rule and the implications for his legacy.

In Bugesera, a lush district about 45 kilometers south of Kigali, not much unfolds visibly, yet it holds significant promise for Rwanda’s leader, Paul Kagame. This area is the future site of a major airport complex that is largely funded by Qatar. Kagame envisions this project as key to reshaping Rwanda from its grim history in 1994—a site of mass genocide—to a thriving commercial hub, akin to an African emirate, drawing in tourists keen to see the country’s famed mountain gorillas. Notably, he’s also aiming to bring a Formula One circuit to Africa for the first time, symbolizing his ambitions for national prestige.

However, the question looms: can Kagame successfully cement his legacy both within Rwanda and on the global stage? His vision for progress clashes with the reality of his tight grip on power and widespread accusations of human rights abuses. Critics argue that while he works to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and economy, his authoritarian approach has stifled political dissent, undermining the democratic ideals that may attract international legitimacy and investment. Kagame’s legacy, then, teeters between the ambition of transformation and the realities of power politics.

As the ambitious airport project takes shape, it remains to be seen how Kagame, who rules a country of about 14 million people, will navigate the complex dynamics of governance while maintaining a positive national image abroad. His aspirations for Rwanda to become a central hub in Africa bear significant weight, but so do the concerns regarding human rights and political freedom at home. The eyes of the world may be watching as the airport takes flight in Bugesera, but the underlying tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface, complicating Kagame’s legacy.

In conclusion, Paul Kagame’s efforts to reshape Rwanda’s image through infrastructure projects like the Bugesera airport illustrate his ambition to secure a lasting legacy. However, his tight control over the political landscape and the claims of human rights violations pose significant challenges. As Kagame strives to elevate Rwanda onto the global stage, the balance between progress and repression will remain a central theme in his quest for recognition and legacy.

Original Source: www.economist.com