Rwanda: Fill & Download for Free

Interesting question. I will give you my two cents an African.Is Africa poor because of colonization?Simple answer: No.Long answer: We Africans never learned from the events of colonization. Our leaders have kept dancing around with our colonial masters who exploited our continent for many decades. This might sound harsh to my fellow Africans, but I honestly think that we deserve the whole blame of our situation today. If anything, it is our leaders’ stupidity and not the Europeans’ faults. Nobody has ever developed through the mercy of others. Everybody looks out for their own interests.Respect and dignity are earned. Nobody gets/hands them for free, especially with regards to masters and their former slaves, colonizers and their former colonies. How did the Americans earn it from the British? How did Chinese earn it from Japan? Everything is earned, freedom, dignity, respect, you name it. This is the concept that African leaders don’t seem to grasp. Do they care? I don’t really know. Some do, but many don’t. They can’t think long-term at all for their countries.What about if colonization never happened?These what-ifs questions are really pointless in my opinion. “what if slave trade never happened?” Where would be the African Americans? What a bunch of “nonsense” questions! How about “what if WW II never happened”? All similar questions and their cousins in that same family are just pointless. These events happened. The main questions should be: What happened? How did they go down? Where they terrible? Now what we do about it?Imagine a Rwandan asking: What if genocide in Rwanda never happened? What I like to ask is: “ It happened and was horrible”. Now what? How can we learn from it? Correct all the wrong to move forward in the right direction to make the future better. The rest is really nonsense to me.Why are many African countries still lagging behind economically?Colonization was a terrible experience for Africans. No question about it.However, blaming Africa’s problems today solely on colonization is just preposterous. It is a lack of responsibility and accountability on the African’s side.For starters, this is a map of Africa and the European invasion on the continent in the early 20th century. Major colonizers are France, United Kingdom, followed by Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.In my opinion, the biggest mistake that Africans made after the so-called “ independence” was to keep Europeans around in their business. They should have cut them off completely, diplomatically and any other bilateral relations they had with Europeans. Till today, that is the African’s problems.When you get “ free” from your slave master, you don’t let them hang around your house anymore. This is what Africans did after their “ independence”.When you finally leave your abusive husband of more than 60–70 years, you don’t text them ever again or allow them to come to hang out at your house. This is what Africans have continued to do for over 40–50 years.The Europeans have never had any interests to develop or to “ civilize” Africans. All they came to Africa to do was for their own self-interests. This is why any African leader who tried to push for the complete independence of Africans was killed and murdered by the Europeans. Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso, Patrice Lumumba in DRC and most recently Muammar Gaddafi.Didier Champion's answer to Why was Thomas Sankara killed?Africa’s problems today are all related to lack of African-Intra trade, corruption fueled by the aid industry, tribalism, identity politics among many others. Till we fix this, I am afraid many African countries will continue to lag behind economically. As an African, I blame colonization on Europeans, but anything else after the independence is Africans’ faults ( the so-called neo-colonialism). They have allowed it to happen for over 50 years now.Till today, many African countries are not really free. They are “misguided” and controlled by Europeans and North Americans for the most part. Who would you blame for this? I blame Africans to allow Europeans to dominate them for another half a century. We have became way too dependent on Europeans. Many of our leaders are absolute shit and quite frankly useless.Africa Intra tradeHome | African UnionThe real reason why Africa still lags behind economically as a continent because:We don’t trade with one another.We don’t think long term.We like to import things from Europe and China for no reasons. From simple things such as Q-tips, vegetables, meat. Africa is big. We have huge arable lands, good weather for harvesting twice every year, and others. It is a shame that hotels in Africa have no choice but to import chicken from America, butter from France, and fresh produce such as tomatoes and other vegetables.All these things are simple stuff we should be doing to create jobs, collect more taxes, increase GDPs and create independent and free economies. There is no way you can be free when you are still dependent on your former slave masters in the forms of “ peanuts” aid.Change of mentalityIf Africa had gotten rid of Europeans from the 1970’s, countries would have no choice but to trade with one another developing their economies. Instead of exporting their raw materials, they would have developed their industries to export finished products for more money. Instead, the events of imperialism, the cold war gave rise to dictators and all revolutionary leaders in the independence movement were killed one by one in more than 40 African countries.Today, it is a shame that I have to buy chocolates imported from Belgium, France, and Switzerland when 95% of all Cocoa production comes from Ivory Coast and Ghana.It is a shame that Nigerians have a shortage of fuel sometimes when they have one of the largest oil reserves in the world.This list can go on and on. You can talk about DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroun, and quite frankly majority of the countries. Again, if Africans had stopped bilateral relations with the West, they would have worked together to develop themselves and their economies through trade, business, innovation and entrepreneurship. The same way that Asian countries such as South Korea, China, and others did it.Look at this map above about Africa’s abundant minerals and other natural resources. There is absolutely no reason why we should have oil refineries in the middle east when we can produce ours right here at home. Are you telling me that all these 10 or so countries cannot get together to create their own industries to make final products? Again, this is Africa’s problems. Not working together and thinking long term.Education, tribalism, and corruptionColonization left Africans feeling inferior to Europeans. After 70–100 years of domination, torture and brutal inhumane acts of violence and genocides, Africans thought that they were not as competitive as the Europeans. Credit to Europeans on this one. They have used it to their advantage for many years. They fragmented societies and made ethnic groups hate one another till today. Is this their problems? Yes, during colonization. But afterward, it should have been Africans job to unite and noticing that whatever differences they had, they were one people.They should have set their differences aside and unite one people. As a Rwandan, I say this with absolute shame and disgust. I was born in the middle of a civil war and a brutal genocide broke out when I was barely five. Can I really blame the Belgians and the French on the Rwandan genocide? Yes, partially. But, I would be stupid to not say that Rwandans did the dirty work whatever France did behind the scenes. You see, Rwandan issues in the past and present should be solved by Rwandans themselves and not the Europeans ( Belgium, France, or Germany). To think otherwise is absolute craziness.The tribalism we have today, the identity politics, corruption, and many other issues, Europeans have nothing or little to do with that. These are African issues and can only be solved when we own them, accept them, and be accountable. They might have started during colonization but it is our fault that we still have them today.What should Africa do?All of these are African’s problems and not the Europeans. From the beginning, Europeans never wanted Africans to be “ independent” anyway. They fought hard to keep their stronghold with colonization. When they were forced to give in, they were probably surprised by the free pass they were given.Today, they control Africa through the aid industry and unfair trade practices. By African working together, they would have developed themselves before waiting what the Europeans have to say about them.Do you ever wonder why Africa has absolutely little say about their state of nations? Popular statements such as “ Africa, the dark continent in the 80’s” or “ Africa is rising in the early 2000’s” are the West view of Africa and how things are going. What is the African’s view of their continent? I don’t know. We never hear those because they either don’t matter or they don’t exist.Countries who trade with one another tend to be peaceful with one another. After WWII in Europe, Germany and France got friendly not because they liked each other, but because they had mutual benefits exchanging goods and services. If Africa had been trading within themselves, the wars we had in the 1980’s and 90’s, many of them would not have happened.Africa is not really free. It is nobody’s faults. It is the African’s fault.Africans are still tied in the colonial chains of their masters in Africa Today.How can Africans be free and independent?Didier Champion's answer to What does Africa need to do to be independent: politically and economically? Will aid help or will it be a waste?Nobody develops through aid. Africa should not be different. Aid is the main issue Africa has today.Charities in Africa. How does Aid hurt Africans. by Didier Champion on Africa is HomeAfrica, they never show you. There is another side of Africa that the media never want to show to the world. It is the African job to brand and market themselves. Sharing their stories today and taking charge of her economy and politics.Didier Champion's answer to Why are the African continents lagging behind despite all of the natural resources that they possess?All women flight crew from Ethiopian Airlines, from pilots, co-pilots and flight attendants. Where else do you know about this? Only in Africa.Six of the top 10 Fastest Growing Economies in 2018 are African.African young men and women entrepreneurs in business making it big. No other place to become a millionaire while young than Africa, especially starting from nothing. Your sweat equity and commitment with longterm vision are all you need.Myths and Stereotypes about Africans and their lives: Africa is Rich and Beautiful.VW, German Cars to be assembled in Rwanda ( Made in Rwanda Brand new Cars) ( Picture was taken on 27th June 2018 by Taarifa Rwanda).This week, the plant was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda. His speech did resonate with me. It was music to my ears."Africa does not need to be a dumping ground for second-hand cars, or second-hand anything. In the long run, you end up paying a higher price anyway. If you can pay a high price for second hand, why not pay a high price for something new? It is a simple choice. Africans, Rwandans, we deserve better. This is one way of showing how we can afford it. For these and other reasons, this promising partnership with Volkswagen is off to a good start. "-President Kagame speaking at the Launch of Volkswagen Mobility Solution in Kigali, Rwanda.Africa is really a diverse continent. There are low-income countries, middle-income countries, and higher income countries. Many people seem to bundle Africa into one, which is really wrong and unreasonable.Countries such as Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea are already developed. They are independent and don’t need any assistance. Majority of their people live way better standards of living than many people in the West.One of my favorite cities in Africa. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.Middle-income countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, and many other countries have developed systems of governments and need nobody’s help in my opinion. Whatever issues they face, their people and governments can solve them on their own.Dar-es-Salaam, TanzaniaMany of the low-income countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and similar others need to get their acts together and focus on free market principles in trade, tourism, business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Whatever help they need, their fellow African countries can help them improve key sectors of their economy to allow them to run and sustain themselves in 5–10 years.Kigali, the capital city of RwandaPlan to move forward.If Africans were to wake up and started working together ( today in 2018), there would be no need to cuddle with Europeans or North Americans by 2030. Are they going to do it? Your guess is as good as mine. I am simply daydreaming. In the end, African people are the sole loser. We are disrespected, treated like shit around the world, thanks to our representatives. It is a big shame and I am so sick of it. Try traveling in Europe on an African passport or worse go through the process of applying for a visa to Europe. You will be treated like a “criminal” checking into a federal prison at any airport.Over the years, my documents have been double and sometimes triple checked for literally no reason. I have been pulled out for “random” checks at Frankfurt, Heathrow, Schiphol, etc.. while traveling with my co-workers from Europe and USA were just chilling. Over time, you get to see what it is all about. It is an absolute disgrace, honestly.For more about Africa and what they need to do, check out my blog at Africa is Home. I share my ideas on aid-free independent Africa relying on themselves. Africa is Back is another blog from Patrick Crosset that I love. He shows you the stories and the image of Africa that you barely get to see. He gives you a tour of Africa from West, Central, East, North and Southern Africa.Hope you find them interesting and learn something new.Africa is not poor. It is managed poorly.Today, Europeans have little to do with Africa’s mediocrity. This is why any country who get a good visionary leader or a series of good leaders for a consecutive 10–15 years or more, they improve fast and quite well. Botswana, Seychelles, Mauritius are good examples. My home country of Rwanda is even a better example in this case.If Rwanda can do it, no country should have any excuse. Not even Somalia.“We must understand that the time for babysitting is over and that we will never develop as we feel we have a never-ending need for Europeans, Americans, Asians, or other babysitters.” President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.Good leadership matters. That is Africa’s main problem today. Take that “magic pill” and you will fix our problems in no-time. African people are the most hardworking and resilient people I know. We need better representatives at the top. They don’t have to be perfect.Just leaders who care and have the passion for their people. African people don’t ask too much. Just hope for today and excitement for the future. The rest is really quite easy. Ask the African people; the majority will agree with me.Your African dude from Rwanda and blogger Rwanda Today.Didier Champion

No.In 2018, there are no tensions among Rwandans. I am one of them, so let me give you some background information.After 1994, the new government managed to get rid of the meaning and the significance of these ethnic groups. It took sometime to convince some Rwandans. However, by the year 2000, very few Rwandans wanted to associate themselves with these ethnic groups.From 1995 to 2000, that time was spent on educating Rwandans about why ethnic groups had to go for the survival of Rwandans and Rwanda. If we were to survive as a country, unity, peace and reconciliation was very crucial to our society. After the year 2000, I can honestly say that majority of Rwandans can care less about their ethnic groups today.Once the meaning of Hutu and Tutsi were nullified and became insignificant, it was only possible to achieve true unity, peace, and reconciliation.In Rwanda Today, talking about your Hutuness or Tutsiness is a big taboo. Unless you are talking about it in the genocide context, otherwise, we Rwandans do not like to associate ourselves with them anymore.It is long overdue for the scholars have to catch up and start calling us Rwandans, instead of bringing up divisive rhetoric among the Rwandan community again. They have kept trying for years, but we won’t budge. We have one identity and that is Rwandan. There is no Hutu nor Tutsi ( or Twa) in Rwanda. We are all Rwandans.After genocide, the new government got rid off ethnic groups. They did not have time to negotiate initially, so they completely eliminated Hutu and Tutsi identities. They took them off our ID cards, they changed the national flag and national anthem, which had those identities in them.From 1994 to 2000, they preached unity, peace and reconciliation to the people. They got the people involved through different activities and projects. Gacaca courts, Ubudehe, Umuganda, and many others.These programs required people to work together and solve their issues and problems together. In justice, the Gacaca courts consisted of people talking about what happened in the open. The perpetrators confessing their sins and giving more accurate details of what happened, how it happened, etc.In community service, Umuganda is consisted of people working together to help the poor, cleaning their streets, building houses for the poor, and so many other activites. Umuganda has another component of socializing while working. There are plenty of breaks for people to hang out and socialize.All these programs helped the Rwandan community to work together for the common good, which restored unity and trust within the Rwandan people. It did not happen overnight, but the government together with the people kept trying.In Rwanda, whether you used to be labeled as “Tutsi” or “Hutu”, we speak one language and share same cultural values. From the beginning, the meaning of these ethnic groups was always defined by the authorities in power.What people fail to understand is that throughout the history of Rwanda, their meaning and significance were different. The authorities in power studied and made those definitions, whether be the kings in the Kingdom of Rwanda ( 1081–1885), or the Belgians with colonization ( 1918–1962), and after independence ( 1962–1994). From socioeconomic classes to ethnic groups, and so on.We really were never different apart from these artificial boundaries created by Belgians.In precolonial Rwanda ( 1081–1896), their meaning and definition was decided by the Kings of Rwanda, cased on the socio-economic status at the time.In colonial times ( 1918–1962), Belgians altered their meanings, from socio-economic classes to ethnic social groups.After independence ( 1962–1994), the Hutu majority government carried those ethnicity-lines meaning because they knew they could use it in their favor to win elections. Hutu ( 85% of the population) versus ( 14% Tutsi). We always forget the Twa ( 1%), but they are also people and deserve respect.In 1994-genocide ( 1994 to today), the Twa had no dog in the fight. They were the minority and were marginalized from the beginning throughout the history of Rwanda.After 1994 ( 1994 till today), the new government wanted to unite everybody. It was decided that in the best interests of every Rwandan to get rid of them. They were taken out of identity cards and any other documentations. Favoritism, tribalism, and identity politics across ethnic lines was fought against to show Rwandans that nobody was going to be mistreated for their ethnic group.This means that just like other administrations and previous governments, the new government had the rights to do so. Twenty-five years after they decided to get rid of tribalism, and those ethnic groups, no Rwandan I know is complaining. We are a united country, peaceful, and most progressive country in Africa.Thanks to this decision, Rwanda will never be the same. Rwanda has changed forever and this legacy will go on forever and ever from generations to generations. If anybody wanted to bring them back again, I would fight them tooth and nail. They sure would have to fight many Rwandans to bring back these stupid ethnic groups.This is why if you ask a Rwandan, whether they are “Hutu” or “Tutsi”, they will tell you that they prefer to be called “Rwandan”. In all honesty, I can care less. Whatever one prefers to call themselves, as long as, we stay as united and peaceful as we have been since the 2000. I am all good.However, this is not something that will play well with many Rwandans and their government.Didier Champion's answer to What is the difference between the Tutsis and the Hutus?Remember in Rwanda, we did not have time to heal the wounds of genocide. We had to move on “fast and furious”. We had to tackle poverty, hopelessness and many other PTSD related issues. As Rwandans, we all suffered. Of course, genocide survivors had it worse. Their families were wiped out completely. Their friends and family were all murdered.If you were Tutsi before 1994, you grieved for your people who died for nothing other than how they were born.If you were Hutu before 1994, you lived with the trauma that your people did the unthinkable. Smashed babies on walls, raped women, killed people in cold blood with machetes, clubs, axes and other tools.Whether you were Tutsi or Hutu, nobody wanted to associate with these ethnic groups. Thankfully, in Rwanda, we all speak one language and have a very homogeneous culture. It was doable in our country because of our way of life and sets of traditions are more less the same.If these were in another African country such as Kenya, Nigeria, and others, it would have been hard and virtually impossible. In Rwanda, once the people decided that being Rwandan was the way to go. The rest was very easy and manageable.After 1994, Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups do not exist anymore in Rwanda. There seems to be lots of confusion to why Rwandans emphasize on this point. There is no Hutu or Tutsi today. We are all Rwandans.Rwanda’s unmatchable topographic land. We are nicknamed a country for a thousand hills for good reason.Let me rephrase your question and respond to you.Are they any ( ethnic ) tensions within the Rwandan community today?The answer is “NO”. They don’t exist anymore. We don’t have no Hutu or Tutsi people today, We have one shared identity and that Rwandan.Personal story and background information.Didier Champion's answer to Post the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, how is the political atmosphere of Rwanda today? Do tensions between the Hutus and Tutsis still loom large?I am Rwandan and was 4 years old when this tragedy broke.I don’t remember how the political tensions were at the time, but from what I hear and read, it is was brutal and a different kind of “crazy” times. I just remember ( vividly) when we gathered a few belongings and left our ( then) home for good.Everybody was leaving, the young, adult and old. It was BAD.My family fled to Congo and lived there for 3 years. In 1997, we came back to Rwanda. My family have been living there since then. My view is about the Rwanda I see today; and I saw from 1998–2000, and 2000-Today.Today, I am pleased to say that things have changed for the better.In earlier years ( 1994–2000), the government was trying to push their “ Rwandan together” ideology on people. In those times, you had to get it and you were in trouble with the law.However, after 2000, people started to get it. Today, I would say that majority of Rwandans care less whether they are Hutu or Tutsi. Being Rwandan is the unifying factor. The young millenials like me understand it. It took more time for the adults. Changing their mentality was not easy. They lived through different times. Cleaning a contaminated mind is no “ cake-walk”. It requires patient and determination.What made a big difference was that everybody wanted peace. So, whatever that was required to get it, everybody did their best. The real MVP for me are the survivors. People who lost their family members. I have many close friends whose families were wiped out. Mom, dad, uncles, aunts, and so many others.Their stories will make you cry for days, but their hope and excitement will make you never want to complain about anything in life again. Life is really unfair.Genocide survivors experienced the worst of the worst cruelty that human kind has to offer. The hardship and challenges they had to endure is hard to comprehend with my small brain. The resilience and hope they have showed over the years far exceeds my conscience and level of understanding.Below is a summarized description of how Rwanda is today. I will tell you that it is the best we have ever in the history of Rwanda as a republic. I don’t want to speak on behalf of all Rwandans, but I am sure majority will agree with me.In Rwanda Today, we have:Unity and peaceSafety and SecurityHope and excitement for today and the future.We are working on:Steady economic growth and sustainable development.We have had some good record success on the economic fronts, but we still have a long way to go. If we sustain the foundations of the above and keep growing steadily like we have been, Rwanda is going places. In the next decades, we would be like that “ shining city on the hill” on our way to sustainable development.A perspective from a Rwandan millennial.Didier Champion's answer to Rwanda: How has Rwandan society changed since the 1994 genocide?24 years after the genocide, the Rwandan society and Rwanda have changed so much. Those of us who were babies and toddlers at the time now understand the complexity, the difficulty, and the gravity of what was happening.Yet, we still do not get how people can commit such atrocities to their fellow countrymen, women and children like what happened in Rwanda. Like everybody else, we suffered the consequences of growing up in a post-genocidal society.Every year, from April 7th to April 13th we remember those who lost their lives in the terrible genocide against Tutsi. We call this week, a remembrance week. It is a very emotional time for Rwandans, home and abroad. We learn from our past while striving to build a better Rwanda for ourselves.Poster made for commemorating this tragedy for the 24th times since 1994.During this week, it is an opportunity for us Rwandans to look ourselves in the mirror, look back at our horrific history and strive to create a new Rwanda with peace, unity, and sustainable development.This quote from the president of Rwanda summarizes the direction and the vision for Rwanda Today and in the future.“We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again”. Paul KagameSo much has changed that I cannot go through them all. If there are some specific aspects you would like to know, feel free to ask, I will be happy to answer.Below are a few changes:The removal of ethnicity ( Tutsis, Hutus, or Twas) in Rwandan identity cardsBefore genocide, your designated ethnic group was written down in your national ID. Because nobody could tell who is who by physical appearance, the perpetrators had to check in people’s IDs to determine who they were. Remember, in Rwanda, contrary to many African countries, we speak one universal language ( Kinyarwanda) and have one homogeneous culture ( food, traditions, etc).So many people lost their lives because of these identifications. Whenever people were fleeing, you were assumed to be “ Tutsis” unless you showed that you were “ Hutus” in your ID cards.This is an old ID card. Notice this lady’s ethnic group would have been “ Hutu”.As you can imagine, these ethnic groups were so confusing. So, if this lady married a “ Tutsi” guy, then her children would have been “ Tutsi” by default following a patriarchal system. On the other hand, if a “ Hutu” guy had married a “Tutsi” lady, their children would have been “Hutu”. The whole ethnic identification was utter no sense. This is why there was no way to know who was who without looking at someone’s ID cards.Obviously, neighbors knew one another. But if you had left your home village or city, no one would have know your ethnicity without looking at your ID card.Therefore, you can see why it was a big deal for the government of Rwanda to remove these dumb or should I say unnecessary denominations in people’s IDs.Today, this is how new IDs look like.Notice that this card only say your names, your date of birth, place of issue ( and not where you were born), your signature, and your gender. As long as you are Rwandan, they don’t care where you were born. Before it used to be that, the government would favor those from certain regions. They were given advantages in school admissions, jobs, and other privilegies (advantages), not because of merit, but solely for birth place and origins. Not too surprising, they correlated with whether one was Hutu or Tutsi, most of the times.2. Banning all sorts of segregation methods that used to be promoted before genocide.Before 1994, the difference between Tutsis and Hutus was taught at very young age. In school, Kids from Tutsi and Hutu parents sat in separated rows in the same classrooms. They had derogatory names for each, especially the Tutsis. So, kids grow up knowing that their colleagues were different. The propaganda had a negative impacts during genocide. Read this testimony below!As you can imagine, the new government ( after genocide) had to fight to convince the old generation to abandon their beliefs in Hutu and Tutsi groups. The government had to implement tough measures. For us, millenials it was a bit easier because our minds and brains were not contaminated yet. In school, we grew up playing with one another regardless of what our parents believed in.By no means, do not think that this happened overnight. It took years and years of government institutions talking, teaching and preaching their new gospel to the people. Wherever they could, they made tough punishments for those who broke the law.Today, majority of Rwandans prefer to be called Rwandans than anything else. It might have been a tough medicine, but I guess the patients needed it. Certainly for us millenials, we care less about where we would have belonged. Being Rwandan is enough for us and nothing else.In Today’s Rwanda, there is no room for segregation and divisionism. There is absolutely zero tolerance with regards to genocide ideology. Overtime, after years of enforcing these standards, it become the norms. The minority of those who still want to promote such dumb ideals are scattered around Europe mostly in Belgium and other Europeans countries. They just talk sh*t, but they cannot really do anything.3. Peace was made a priority. It was not an option anymore.The government knew that if Rwanda were to survive, peace had to be a requirement. Those who committed crimes were tried according to the gravity of their crimes. It was very overwhelming, but in the end, through Gacaca courts, the government was able to try cases and integrate many people in the Rwandan society again.In early 2000’s, Rwanda was still recovering from a terrible genocide and a civil war from the 1994 to about 1997. These were horrible times for Rwandans.One in every seven Rwandans had lost their lives.About 1 million people died during the years above.People were hopeless. They had lost all the hope.Many people had lost their entire families.The grief and the resentment among the Rwandan community was real.Those who could escape, left the country and hoped to never set their foot on the Rwandan soil ever again.I cannot go through all the problems but understand that between 1994 and 1997, Rwanda was defined as a “failed state”. Again, restoring peace and unity among Rwandans was probably on top of the priorities. Otherwise, they would have been building a country on a weak foundation. This process was the longest and probably the most difficult in my opinion.Here is the president explaining the complexity of what Rwanda had to deal with after genocide. He provides better explanation that nobody else can give you. He was the architect of the whole plan overseeing the whole operation from the planning phase, execution, and final phases.The Gacaca courts provided a medium to trying the killers while providing unity and reconciliation within Rwandan themselves. Like the president said, nothing is 100% perfect, but it was the most efficient and effective way for Rwandans to learn what happened, how it happened, and ways to prevent it in the future.4. Rwanda Today is peaceful, developing and her future seems promising.This video below will give you a brief teaser of what Rwanda is today and what she aspires to be and major key priorities: sustainable growth, inclusion, peace, unity, resilience and hard work.Today, Rwanda has achieved more than many people envisioned. From having the cleanest capital city in Africa, to being one of the least corrupted countries in Africa, being one of the most well-organized government in Africa, a champion of gender equality and a paradise for women, and many more, Rwanda has become a beacon of hope, forgiveness, unity, progress and resilience.The beauty of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, combined in one! It is also a major tourist attraction!Downtown Kigali at Night-Rwanda!64% of Rwandan parliament members are women.See this photo below?All women flight crew, Captain and her co-pilot of the RwandAir, the national air carrier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Very rare to see elsewhere, but not in Rwanda.Captain and her co-pilot, posing for a photo opportunity with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.Rwanda has been featured among the “must see” locations for the year 2018 by various international travel agencies such as CNN Travel, New York Times, Huffington Post, The Telegraph, the Vogue, and many others.Aerial Photo of my hometown, Kigali, Rwanda. The Kigali Convention Center.Rich culture and Traditions (Amazing hospitality, great and friendly people. ):Rwandan Culture displayed by our beautiful ladies.Rwanda is a very welcoming country. We have a rich culture of dance, music, arts and all that. There is nothing we enjoy more than sharing our culture with others. If you come visit us, we will be happy to share it with you. Below are a few photos of our sisters showcasing our amazing culture through dance and music.Rwandan Traditional Dance at the Berlin International Tourism Festival ( March 2018).If you want to learn more about Rwanda, check out my other articles here!10 plus One Amazing Facts about Rwanda and Reasons to visit in 2018Dear World, We are NOT Hotel-Rwanda: Rwanda Today is Peaceful, Developing, and Progressive.Hope I have answered your question. Anything else you want to know, let me know.Cheers from Rwanda!Didier Champion

It sucks and brings a lot of shame to my African pride.As an average citizen, you have ideas of what needs to be done, but you have no power to change things. I am almost 30 years old. Our representatives at African Union are old folks in their 70’s and 80’s. I have no idea of what they do. They seem to hold meetings after meetings, summits after summits, conferences after conferences, but you cannot point out anything they do on the practical level. They are all talk no action.The African Union is like the United Nations of Africa. If there is one responsibility they should have is to promote dignity and respect of every African citizen in the world. After what we have been through from colonization, to our so called “independence”, multiple wars, ethnic conflicts, genocides, coup d’etat from the 60’s to late 90’s, you would think that they would do the one job they are supposed to be doing. Bringing some respect back to Africa.Making sure that African people are respected around the world.Truth to be told, African people are the most disrespected people around the world. You see it everyday the moment you step outside the continent. If you are a professional like me and work around the world, that means you have apply visas to multiple countries. If you are applying for a visa to any Western European, US and Canada, that means that you are going to be hustled until you can show every single document in the world of bureaucratic paperwork. Sometimes, I always think that I am checking into a maximum federal prison.Once you get a visa and start traveling, they start stopping you at any airports for their “random” checks. During my grad school tenure, I used to travel a lot from Colorado to West-Africa quite a bit. I cannot tell you how many times I got searched for literally no reason when my American colleagues were just chilling. During my travels, I had to take extra documents just in case.It got so bad that my American colleagues would apologize to me because they could see that traveling on African passport was a nightmare compared to theirs. It was not their faults and had nothing to do with it.Back to your question, what do I think about immigration?What do you think? Imagine and put yourself in my shoes. Seeing your young brothers and sisters get enslaved in Libya in 2017, get treated like animals in the 21st century on European shores? ( Actually, I think Europeans treat their pets and animals like loyalty). They do care about their damn animals. Caring for black people who need help, not so much.For a Rwandan, that even brings lots of bad memories when they evacuated their fucking dogs in Rwanda 1994 and refused to rescue black Tutsis who needed help. It’s no bueno. I can’t speak about this without being too emotional. Sorry!Imagine waiting for a reaction and an outrage from your representatives at the AU, only to find out that nobody is doing something about it practically. They just talk and talk. No action.The migration issue is an African issue. It should not be a European issue. It could have been stopped way before reaching Libya. It could have been stopped before reaching the mediterannean or worse before reaching European shores.I don’t blame Europeans. They have every right be worried and to defend their rights. Countries have borders and those borders have to be respected. Laws are laws and have to be respected. However, as human beings, they can be a bit more compassionate than they have been to African migrants.Europe has some of the most racist people in the world. The migration crisis makes it even worse. It does not help their perception of Africa and Africans. It does not defeat the stereotypes and misconceptions they already have about Africans.Just when you think the perception of Africa and the image of Africa was starting to be a bit positive ( better than the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s), we go back to zero, starting from scratch again. It hurts like a bitch and can’t stand it. I wish I had some power to change things. I talk with my fellow Rwandans and Africans ( young) people who are equally hurt, but what can we do? Nothing. It hurts even more when you are helpless. All our leaders do is talking and no action.Our leaders are a shame. Africa is huge. If they were to work together, we can repatriate our brothers and sisters back to their home countries or any countries on their choices. Of all 55 African countries, we can provide food, water, shelter and other basic necessities they need. We can afford it. There is no need to shift our responsibilities and mediocrity to Europeans.If I was in charge, this is what I would do.In the short-term, the European Union ( and African Union) have to got to be hard and harsh on smugglers. Destroy all their ships with no mercy. If a ship is found coming to Europe, take the people out and destroy those ships right on spot. Take the people back to African shores. There is a growing PC ( political correctness) in Europe about compassion for refugees and all. I understand and respect that.However, when you allow more migrants to come in and reach your shores ( illegally), you are creating more problems. Smugglers will use that “ card” to reel in more people to the same path. Remember, some African migrants spend about $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 to make the journey. This could have been used to start a small business in their home countries. By doing this, you are literally fueling the fire of mediocrity and dependence on the African pot. Is this what you want?The young men coming in are desperate people whose failed education system and economic conditions have failed and decided to embark on a humiliating journey. They know nothing about how Europe works apart from EPL salaries for football players. Many just assume that by the time they reach Europe, money will be waiting to start collecting and send money home.Of course, this is far from the truth. Europe is really fucked up and have their own issues to deal with. But African migrants have no idea. Those of you who think that their countries are not safe, you are lying to yourself. Safety is not an issue in their countries. Job scarcity, unemployment rates, and terrible economic conditions are the main reasons they are coming. Don’t get played.Senegal, Ivory Coast, and majority of Nigeria are safer than France today. Libya is unstable. Do you see any Libyans in those ships? People from South Sudan, RCA, and Northern parts of Cameroun can be relocated to other countries who are safe. There should be no excuse to be make the journey up-north to colonial masters. Absolutely, none!African migrants do not need to be disrespected in Europe. I was not expecting anything different from the Italians anyway. But this one has been worse.I am proud to be African and would not trade it with anything else. However, with this migration crisis, our heads of state at African Union need to do better. I know for sure that my generation can and will do better than these bureaucrats and politicians who sit on their asses all day every day. Every year for 30, 40, and sometimes 50 years.It is a disgrace that we call them our “ representatives” and “heads of state”. Majority of them are doing neither job.I can’t stand their mediocrity, arrogance, and lack of passion for their people and country. You cannot compromise dignity and respect of your people like they have done. I wish they can retire today because we need fresh flood in the African Union and our respective countries. Otherwise, forget about it.In the long-term, Europeans need to admit that they created this mess by destabilizing Libya. If Muammar Gaddafi was still in power today, Libya would be stable. The truth is that Mr. Gaddafi kept Libya together. He refused to give up Libya’s resources to NATO and the next thing you know he was gone. Karma is a bitch. Libya has never been the same ever since.Economic conditions in those countries are not better today than they were 5 or 10 years ago. In fact, conditions today are way better than they were 10 years ago in those countries. The real reason why people are coming through Libya is because Libya is just not the same with the COL Gaddafi ( May he rest in peace).He is an African hero who died for what he believed in. He is not any of these weak leaders we have who would not even speak up about unfair trade practices of EU countries in Africa, cheap imports of food from subsidized EU products, multinational companies stealing resources, aid recycling in Africa, and other terrible things that the EU impose on African countries. Read "Africa is poor" they said!.On the African side, we have lots of work to do. First thing I would do would be to cut ties the EU. Until they learn to respect Africans, I don’t want to deal with them. We are wasting our time because our economies cannot compete with them when they can dump everything into our markets. We are better off without them. Maybe, that would force us to do business together instead. Read Africa need to phase out Aid to be politically and economically independent.Free market capitalism, trade, innovation, business and entrepreneurship within Africa.Home | African UnionWe need to create better economic conditions in our countries.Change our education systems from a Eurocentric to an Afrocentric education. An education that get African children excited about their countries. In our schools today, we still learn more about Europe than we do about Africa. Our children can’t tell you any of their country heroes. They don’t know about their history because even their rivers and mountains were “discovered” by European explorers. Our education system worships the white man from primary and secondary schools because they designed all of it. That needs to change ASAP.Our education need to create job creators and not job seekers. We still get educated as if we are all going to be civil servants in government institutions. This is why we have so much unemployment rates.Those of us who have been to Europe need to educate our fellow brothers and sisters about the real Europe. EPL football players’ salaries does not reflect the quality of life in Europe. This is going to be a challenge to educate them about what is needed to work in Europe, real life in Europe, and many other things.Many of them were trained to believe that Europe was a paradise of a land. Thanks to an Education that is very outdated from 60’s and 70’s colonial era. It is our job to change it and make it as Afrocentric as possible.This list is way too long but basically we need to create jobs in our own countries. 90% of African countries are safe today. Way safer than France today, definitely. What we need to create better economics conditions for the African youth in these countries.I already have another popular answer and don’t want to repeat over myself too much. So, here you go below. I should warn you before you continue reading though. I do speak my mind with honesty and facts. So, I apologize in advance for my fellow Africans who think I am too harsh on ourselves or Europeans who think I am making excuses. I am doing neither. I am just an African who understand both worlds a bit and can offer some perspective into this mess.Without further due, this is my “last” two cents on this issue. It’s all I have got and nothing else. Is the migrant population from Africa desirable in Europe?No, illegal migration should not be desirable.Africa is big enough, rich enough to accommodate every African. There should not be no need to move to Europe ( illegally). Economic opportunities can be created at home so that nobody has to embark on that horrible journey of shame and mediocrity on European shores.Image source: Africa is BIG.Before I start, let’s make some facts straight.Fact 1: Africa is not moving to Europe.People from some African countries are moving to Europe. Until Europeans learn to distinguish the African continent from individual countries, we will always have some problems. I always ask. How did you people do the the scramble of Africa in 1885, divided Africa into diverse lands for your ego and invasion purposes, but today, you cannot separate Botswana, from Zambia, Angola, Senegal, to Ivory Coast and others?What happened to some generations in between? I give a pass to countries who had nothing to do with colonization but to the imperialist countries like France, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, etc. Maybe a little of Karma is a bitch.What happened?Your ancestors partitioned an entire continent, named, renamed, and dislocated countries, but one generation down, you don’t even care to distinguish those countries you created? What happened? I ask.Africa is NOT a country. I don’t know how long I have to keep repeating this.Image source: Africa 101Learn to identify and to distinguish individual countries first, one by one. We would be off to a good start to understand these issues. You seem to be worried about migration ( for the right reasons).For those who say that Europe is being invaded, you have no idea of what you are talking about. At the end of the 19th century, Africa was invaded. Africans on the European shores? That is not what an invasion looks like. Let’s not get too graphic here. You all know that your ancestors did. At least, I hope you learned that in your schools. Or did you? Who knows about King Leopold II, nicknamed as the “butcher of Congo” for murdering tens of millions Congolese people under his charity organization with Christian missionaries?“The commanding officer ordered us to cut off the heads of the men and hang them on the village palisades, also their sexual members, and to hang the women and the children on the palisade in the form of a cross."Image source: Congolese posing with the severed hands of those failed to make the daily rubber sap quota ( Digital Journal, 1904). You can read all about it in the link below.The Butcher of Congo: King Leopold II of Belgium.To me, it does not look like you did learn because some of you still think that you came to “ civilize” Africans. Is that what you learned in school? I ask. If that’s the case, we have more problems that I anticipated. I always roll my eyes on that one. If that’s the case, why did our ancestors fight against your invasion fearlessly, but you kept pushing even harder until their spears and arrows got tired.Image source: Battle between Herero Warriors and German colonial Troops in 1904Did you really have that much mercy to “civilize” Africans that even when they said “no”, you had to kill, murder, torture and humiliate them for the sake of bringing “ civilization” to them? I ask.Fact 2: Africans love their countries.Photo Credit: Rwanda the Heart of AfricaMajority of Africans are proud of the nations and you would not pay them to leave. Watching your media, they make it seem like we are all coming to Europe. That is just preposterous. Many of you should be reasonable enough to know that already. I have been watching some Italians go “ nuts” on national TV. I just roll my eyes watching you go crazy for such nonsense.Africa has about 1.2 billion people. You know!We are proud of our culture and respective countries. Rwandans, Tanzanians, Botswana people, Tunisians, Ethiopians, and all other people of any African country on the continent. We have beautiful countries, rich cultures and a history to be proud of from our ancestors to today.Africa is Back is your blog to learn more if you are interested.Photo Credit: ( Life in Rwanda) Rwanda the Heart of AfricaLast time I checked, the immigrants were coming from some parts of West-Africa ( Senegal, Mali, Nigeria) and a few others such as Eritrea, South Sudan, and RCA. These people do not represent an entire continent. I know you are worried and get too emotional about this. However, facts are facts and don’t care about your feelings.What can Africans do about it?Educating young folks about what is like to live in Europe ( beyond the fantasy Europe they learn in euro-centrist schools and TV).The young people ( mostly young men) who embark on the journey to Europe have no idea of the real harsh life in Europe. Most of them have at least a high school education or even a university degree. They move to a fantasy Europe they have no idea of what it is all about. They barely know what is needed to work in Europe ( legally).Change Eurocentric education system to an Afrocentric education system in primary and secondary schools. African’s duty and obligation.If African Union wanted to genuinely solve the migration issue, I would start changing basic education system. Adopt to an African based education that young Africans can relate to and feel inspired and proud of their country. Each country has a rich history, heroes, amazing stuff to be proud of as an African. Majority of the young folks have no idea because nobody taught them their history.If anything, this quote summarizes everything I want to say about education in Africa.Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will glorify the hunter”. Chinua Achebe, the great Nigerian Author, Novelist, Professor and Poet.Chinua Achebe: Every African child should read his books. Things Fall Apart ( 1958) is the most widely read book in the African Literature.The history of European invasion and colonization praises Europeans because they wrote all of it. Today, that is the same history still taught in our schools. It is at the heart of many issues we have. Corrupted leaders, lack of integrity in leadership, lack of passion and love for one’s country, you name it.We still follow an outdated system from colonial times. An education that was supposed to show Africans that they are “inferior”, “indigenous”, and needed a white man to be their “savior”.My African perspective on migration to Europe.This should have been an African issue, not a European issue.I have taken sometime to think about the root cause of the migration. It all comes down to a Eurocentric education we still have in many African countries today. After colonization, the colonial education designed to worship the white man never changed. Only Africans can fix this mess of an “education” system we have in our schools. The old school education system from the 1970’s needs to be changed ASAP. It should have been changed many years ago. 30–40 years ago.A young African graduating from high school today knows more about Paris ( France) and London ( England) than their home countries. They know more about Napoleon Bonaparte, Churchill, WW II, Hitler, and other European stuff that have nothing to do with her life. I am all about history, but African story should be first. When you know nothing about where your country have been, where it is and where it is headed, you have nothing to inspire you from within. This is a powerful concept in basic education. In my opinion, this is why one goes to primary and secondary schools.By the time, one graduates from secondary school, they should be aware of their societies problems, what needs to be done, looking for their strengths and weaknesses so that their university education can challenge them through research and inovation to solve their society’s problems.Our African story was reduced to nothing. An African child does not know where her country has been, the heroes, the villains, the good and the bad in her country. Her whole history is still taught from an European perspective of belittling and dehumanizing her ancestors. In summary, she barely learns any history about her country. Their heroes and great ancestors have been called “ indigenous” and have been reduced to nothing.By the time, she finishes high school, she does not see greatness in her country.When your rivers and mountains are said to have been discovered by French and British explorers when in reality Senegalese and Ivory Coast ancestors had been living there for generations, you see little or no value in your home country. By the time, you graduate from school, you want to do everything possible to go to Europe. Your dream place as described in all the text books, and other educational materials.Mediocre Education system and unemployment ratesSince this colonial style education from the 70’s and 80’s was designed to train civil servants in government institutions, every university graduate want to work for the government. They are not trained to be “ job creators”. They are trained to be “ job seekers”. To make matters worse, they all want office jobs sitting in offices, computers, and high rise buildings. Dressing up nice to work as the French do and all that nonsense stuff.Nobody wants to be a mechanic, plumber, electrician, and other job creating hands-on skills and professions needed in the African job market.Morning formations at my high school in Rwanda, way back in the days. Before starting our classes, we had a “rassemblement” with the school principal. Pants and shirts for guys and “appropriate” skirts and shirts for ladies. The man in the middle is the director of the school ( school principal in US education system). We are all dressed in similar uniforms, getting instructions and words of wisdom.They are not critical thinkers and analyzers. They have just memorized a bunch of theories from Europe. 90% of university graduates might be expecting to work for the government when in reality they are only 7-10% of jobs available for them on the job market. 10% goes to the private sector. Where does the rest of 80% go?Sit down and wait for a job. A non-existing job that is never going to come around because it does not exist. Remember they were not trained to solve problems, but only to complain about problems, like the bureaucrats and politicians do. An accountant cannot start a small business to provide tax services to many businesses in the area. She sits down and waits for a government job.They wait for a job for one, second and third consecutive year, nothing comes around. But then, they remember that Europe is all “good” and the grass is greener than there. This is what they have been taught, but majority have no idea of the harsh reality of life difficulty in Europe ( winters, hustle life, and other things Europeans know already).For such young people whose education system and employment condition has failed, their eyes look to Europe and North-America. When you don’t see greatness in your country, you will find it somewhere else. Just like you, Africans want to live in conditions where they will maximize the use of their talents and potential. In the migration case, the systems in their countries have failed them and have no choice but to look somewhere else.They want to make the journey to Europe as the last resort. Their families don’t know better. Nobody to give them advice on how Europe works. They know Europe through overpaid premier league soccer football players or worse overpaid NGO staff workers who work in their countries.Therefore, some sell their whole belongings to send their sons to Europe, make the journey to Europe expecting that once they make it, money and prosperity will be waiting at the door. No knowledge of legal immigration or work visas, they just assume that the white man will be their savior like they learned in their textbooks ever since they were young.They assume they will start sending money back to their families as soon as they reach European shores. From there, it is roller-coster of shame and mediocrity. Disappointments to make the journey alive, what they go through, in Libya and elsewhere. Media jumps on it, humiliates and exaggerates it even more like they always for anything negative about Africa, and so on and on.How to move forward?In my opinion, those already in Europe should come back home and be housed in Africa. If they don’t want to come back to their home countries, all the other African nations can provide food, shelter, and other basic necessities they need. As a proud African who is tired of racism towards Africans, this is our problem and should be solved by us only, not the Europeans. If we don’t want to be mocked by the world, this is how we earn a little bit of dignity and respect back.Europe is already facing their own issues and we should not be adding more on their plates. They already got enough already. Brexit, financially irresponsible countries, unemployment in EU countries, etc.On the other hand, our leaders in the African Union needs to get their shit together to prevent occurrences like this to happen ( ever again). Libya is in the African Union ( oh wait, EU and NATO killed the only man who kept Libya together, Muammar Gaddafi for 40 years).He kept Libya safe, maintained peace and security and shared Libya resources with his people. Today, it is a different story. No rule of law, economy in ruin, and Libya is divided in pieces. Now Libya is unstable and cannot prevent such incidences. Oil and gas resources are only enriching EU and American companies instead of Libyan and African people. Karma is a bitch, isn’t it?Below are his exact words before NATO bombed his wonderful country.“Now listen, you people of NATO. You're bombing a wall which stood in the way of African migration to Europe and in the way of Al-Qaeda terrorists. This wall was Libya. You're breaking it." African Hero and Former President of LibyaHow Libya holds the key to solving Europe's migration crisisThe useless African Union could not even say a thing. They knew damn well that Gaddafi was the man in Libya and his collapse was all about the money and crony capitalism and nothing to do with some bullshit democratic ideals.Anyway, what I am saying is that African Union should not allow people to make it that far. When we wait for African migrants to reach the shores of Europe, we feed Europeans and other white supremacy political parties on the myths and stereotypes they already have on Africa. “Poor”, “lazy”, “inferior” Africans and many others that Europeans think about whenever their media news outlets report on some negative events about Africa.This is a brief story but it covers majority of issues related to illegal migration to Europe. If the African Union wants to solve this problem once for all, with a long-term approach , I would start with colonial education we still have today. This mediocre education system teaches African youth that Europe is a paradise as they see on TV.In their textbook, the white man is “superior”, much smarter than Africans. In their mind, they are “inferior” and if their promise of a “ happy life” might be in Europe and America. It is unfair to call this an “ education” because if the purpose of education is to enlighten citizens about their societies’ problems and way to solve them, our so called “education” system would get an F-grade. African youth do not get any inspiration from this system. Add that to the NGO and their aid work in Africa, you have a recipe for a disaster. Why Foreign Aid Is Hurting AfricaIn fact, if you get one thing from this post, know that our system of education is at the heart of it all. I am sure it is much more complex but it all comes down to the way we teach our children. French and Belgium colonies want to go France and Belgium, respectively. English colonies want to go to UK and US.Legal Migration is a GO. Illegal should be a NO GO.As far as I know, every European country has a legal system for African expats who come to work in Europe, temporarily or permanently. Just as we have legal systems for European expats who come to work in Africa.Compared to Africa, Europe is too small ( see the 1st map). In my opinion, Europeans have every right to defend who get to immigrate to their countries. They already have robust systems of legal immigration. However, Europe has her various issues to deal with and does not need to handle African issues on top of theirs. Financially irresponsible countries such as Greece and Spain, unemployment rates in Italy, Portugal, and other countries. With Brexit, EU seems confused of what is next, new trade policies with the UK, and many other issues they are facing.The African migration issue is African issue. It should not have been a European issue in the first place. As an African, this is why I can’t stand the African Union. They could have stopped it before it escalated to the Mediterranean shores of Western Europe. Just like Europeans who hate to see those images, We Africans don’t like to see those photos either. They humiliate us and bring lots of shame and disgust.Final RemarksI am sorry I had to get this off my chest. Although I cannot get it out of my mind. My apologies ( in advance) for a long article and little hearts who can’t take the truth. The ugly truth is always uncomfortable and hurts like a bitch.Whatever side you found yourself on by the lottery of birth, I hope we can honestly talk about these issues to move forward in the positive direction. Europe does not want African immigrants and we the African people don’t want to be humiliated like we have been.Each side has mutual interests to pursue, but until we get real and be honest with to one another, we will keep dancing around such issues when we should be talking about the “many” elephants in the room. At this point, the European Union ( EU) and the African Union ( AU) are the representatives from each side.I have been following with the migrant crisis for a while now. I feel like I know what the EU wants. Their expectations are clear. If you ask me, what the AU’s goals are in this matter, I would not tell you. I don’t know. That tells me that they are not talking at all. One side is just lecturing and giving instructions while the other is just sitting and listening; waiting to be told what to do. This is the main problem. In the end, my side is the loser. The African people are the loser, whichever way you look at it.Didier Champion's answer to What will happen in Europe after the migrant crisis?Below is my golden advice to the EU and how they should go about it.Collaborate with African leaders to get hard and harsh on smugglers. They are taking advantage of desperate people. Listen to African leaders and do not lecture them of your opinions. They understand this issue on their side of the world better than you do. On this issue, you need African leaders’ opinions. You cannot do it by yourselves. You have to be crazy to think that you can solve an African issue from a European perspective and ways of doing things.Otherwise, Europeans will keep complaining about those “damn” Africans. On the other side, African people will be banging our heads on walls about WTF is going on. In a nutshell, that is the life of African people with regards to politics and economic progress. Africa is rich and we can afford to help our own people in my opinion.This is my two cents as a Rwandan and an African who longs for our dignity and respect. We are all human beings and have same inalienable rights to be treated like people; not like a bunch of animals in the zoo or second class people. Inalienable Rights - Definition, Examples, Cases ( Taken straight out of your play book and lectures about human rights).Meanwhile, some African leaders need to learn what Rwanda has been doing for the past 20 years. If Rwanda can do it, every African country can. Good leadership and the power of the people matters.10 Richest Countries In Africa 2014 - GDP per capitaPort-Louis, MauritiusKigali, RwandaAn affluent neighboorhood at the heart of Kigali, my home city and the capital city of Rwanda.10 plus One Amazing Facts about Rwanda and Reasons to visit in 2018Ellen Degeneres, visiting Rwanda last month, posing with her flight crew with Akagera Aviation Motors ( May 2018).Photo Credit: Rwanda the Heart of AfricaReferencesAfricans are still tied in the colonial chains of their masters in Africa Today.The Butcher of Congo: King Leopold II of Belgium.Didier Champion's answer to What will happen in Europe after the migrant crisis?If you got this far, thanks for reading, for your time and attention.Feel free to contact me by email or message.Goodbye! I am out.Didier ChampionThanks for A2A, Christine Leigh Langtree.