Beyond the Façade: Rwanda’s Rise and the Shadows of Repression

Rwanda has earned international acclaim as an African development success story, recovering from the devastating genocide of 1994 to become a symbol of progress. However, behind the image of economic growth and stability lies a troubling reality marked by systematic human rights abuses, a clampdown on political opposition, and exploitative practices in neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The political and social landscape within Rwanda is heavily controlled, and criticism of the government is met with severe consequences. Reports from Human Rights Watch and other rights organizations document widespread repression. Torture is reportedly a routine practice, targeting detainees who may pose a political threat to President Paul Kagame's regime. A recent Human Rights Watch report from October 2024 provides chilling evidence of torture methods used, including beatings, electric shocks, and mock executions, exposing a pattern of cruelty aimed at silencing dissent. The Kagame administration’s hold on power is characterized by enforced disappearances, a tactic designed to create fear and eliminate any challenge to its authority. These disappearances target individuals who advocate for democratic reforms, human rights, and the rule of law. Opposition figures, particularly supporters of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, a prominent opposition leader calling for genuine democracy, are at high risk. Journalists, activists, and YouTubers who challenge the government face arrest, exile, or even death. Journalist John Williams Ntwali, known for his investigations into Rwanda’s military involvement in the DRC, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in 2023. His death led to an international investigation by Forbidden Stories, a network dedicated to continuing the work of silenced reporters. This inquiry exposed further evidence of Kagame’s repressive practices, culminating in “Rwanda Classified,” a series of reports that reveal the hidden authoritarian aspects of Kagame’s regime. Political competition is essentially nonexistent in Rwanda. The 2024 elections saw Kagame secure 99 percent of the vote, a result achieved by barring opposition candidates from participating. Freedom House has classified Rwanda as “not free” for years, with restrictions on political rights and civil liberties. This lack of political freedom reflects Rwanda’s tight control over its citizens, preventing any meaningful opposition from forming. Regionally, Rwanda has been implicated in supporting rebel groups in eastern Congo, particularly M23, which has contributed to destabilizing the region and displacing millions. The United Nations has accused Rwanda of benefiting economically from the conflict, primarily through the illicit trade of valuable minerals like coltan, essential for electronics and electric vehicles. Despite these issues, Rwanda’s international reputation remains relatively strong, maintained by an effective public relations strategy. This image of economic success helps distract from the country's internal human rights abuses and regional exploitation. Rwanda has established itself as a significant mineral exporter, securing agreements with entities such as the European Union on sustainable raw material value chains. Rwanda has also projected itself as an important contributor to global security. It ranks fourth globally in personnel contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. In Mozambique, for example, Rwandan troops are actively combating Islamist insurgencies. However, Rwanda’s involvement in Mozambique appears to serve economic interests, particularly for French energy company TotalEnergies, which has invested in Mozambique’s liquified natural gas projects. TotalEnergies has contracted a security firm linked to Rwanda for a $20 billion project, highlighting how Rwanda’s peacekeeping efforts are entangled with corporate interests. As part of its image campaign, Rwanda has engaged in high-profile partnerships with major sports organizations, including Arsenal, PSG, Bayern Munich, and the NBA’s Basketball Africa League, under the “Visit Rwanda” initiative. Formula 1 is also reportedly considering a partnership. While these alliances present Rwanda as progressive, they serve as “sportswashing,” diverting attention from severe human rights violations. Rwanda’s efforts to position itself as an indispensable partner for the international community have not always been successful. A controversial agreement with the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party to host asylum seekers was ultimately scrapped by the Labour Party after it took power in 2024. Nonetheless, Kagame’s regime has shown a willingness to cooperate on contentious international issues, seeking to project an image of a collaborative international partner, despite its domestic repression. During a webinar, Peter Verlinden, a Belgian politician, journalist, and author, highlighted that Rwanda continues to enjoy international support because of Western interests, despite rising awareness of its human rights abuses and exploitation of the DRC. He noted that the West’s enduring support is driven by self-interest rather than a genuine endorsement of Kagame’s policies. Jeffrey Smith, a pro-democracy activist and founder of Vanguard Africa, argues that the US and other Western nations cling to an outdated narrative of Rwanda as a stable and reform-oriented state, ignoring its authoritarian nature. Smith attributes this stance to a lack of creative policymaking and an oversimplified understanding of regional dynamics. However, he and Verlinden both agree that there is a gradual shift in how the international community views Rwanda, largely due to its continued involvement in the DRC conflict and high-profile human rights cases, including that of Paul Rusesabagina. Paul Rusesabagina, a Rwandan-Belgian humanitarian and US resident, was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 for his heroism during the 1994 genocide. However, he was forcibly brought to Rwanda in 2020, subjected to a trial widely criticized as politically motivated, and imprisoned. Following pressure from the US, Rusesabagina was released in 2023 and reunited with his family. Another influential case is that of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, who returned to Rwanda from exile in 2010 to run for president. Arrested and sentenced to 15 years after a political trial, Ingabire successfully appealed to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which ruled that Rwanda had violated her rights. Released in 2018, she remains restricted in her political activities and is prevented from leaving the country. Ingabire has been outspoken about Kagame’s regime, denouncing human rights abuses and questioning the supposed development progress. The international community’s perception of Kagame’s regime is slowly shifting. Verlinden points out that nations like the US and the Netherlands have reduced aid to Rwanda, signaling growing discomfort with its authoritarian practices. While these reductions are a positive step, they remain insufficient to address the scale of Rwanda’s human rights abuses. Western policy tends to prioritize stability and economic interests, often overlooking human rights concerns. Verlinden further noted that mass media often mirrors the political agendas of Western governments. However, the release of the Rwanda Classified reports reflects an evolving stance on Rwanda, even if the impact remains limited by complex international interests. Though both the EU and the US have sanctioned some Rwandan officials linked to the conflict in eastern DRC, Jeffrey Smith argues that targeting lower-level figures rather than high-ranking leaders only addresses the symptoms of Rwanda’s involvement, not the root causes. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire believes that for Rwanda to truly become a modern, respected nation, it must embrace democratic governance that ensures stability in the Great Lakes region. She and other activists, including those in the diaspora, emphasize the importance of initiatives like Ingabire Day, which sheds light on human rights abuses under Kagame’s rule. These efforts aim to pressure the international community to reevaluate its approach to Rwanda. Western governments must confront Kagame’s actions and revise their policies, recognizing that prioritizing stability at the expense of human rights ultimately enables authoritarianism. As history shows, remaining neutral in the face of oppression implicitly supports the oppressor, worsening the plight of the victims. For Rwanda, the time has come for a more truthful engagement that upholds human dignity and promotes democratic governance. Only then can lasting peace and prosperity be achieved for Rwanda and the broader region.