Fatshimetrie: Behind the scenes of “model” Rwanda
Rwanda, under the presidency of Paul Kagame, often presents itself as a model of development in Africa. At international events and on the world stage, the country highlights its cleanliness, its commitment to gender equality and its ever-growing economy. However, behind this glittering facade lies a much darker reality, revealed by the “Rwanda Classified” project led by Forbidden Stories and its partners.
In February 2024, the National Harbor in the US state of Maryland hosted Rwanda Day, an event celebrating the country’s progress. Businessmen, NGO leaders and expatriates flocked to attend speeches praising an environment conducive to business and undeniable social progress. This praise echoed the image of a “New Rwanda” promoted by Paul Kagame, highlighting the progress made since the 1994 genocide.
Rwanda, through initiatives such as the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), seeks to attract foreign investment and promote its image globally. The “Visit Rwanda” campaign is an example of this strategy, placing the logo on sports team jerseys and partnering with renowned international events. However, beneath this glare lies a less rosy reality, where dissent is suppressed through troll campaigns, cyber attacks and sometimes physical intimidation.
Forbidden Stories shed light on the hidden side of this Rwandan “model”, revealing the mechanisms of influence and repression on an international scale. The ramifications of this strategy extend to Europe and North America, involving public relations agencies, lobbyists and potentially psychological operations. Rwanda, despite its laudable progress, seems ready to do anything to maintain an idyllic image, even if it means repressing any dissenting voice.
It is crucial to disentangle fact from fiction, to reveal the behind the scenes of a seemingly exemplary country, but whose methods can be questionable. Far from triumphant speeches, it is essential to question the foundations of this brand image and to open the debate on the true nature of the “New Rwanda” promoted by its leaders. Only a critical and in-depth analysis will make it possible to understand all the issues behind the curtain of this sparkling showcase.