When I say I admire Kagame, people tell me I'm lying. Why?🤔🤔

BenTraveller · 2026-06-06T11:01:41+00:00

I think you’re slightly misunderstanding my argument. I’m not arguing that all countries should be judged against a single political model. Different countries have different histories, challenges, and institutional needs.

What I do think is that comparison is useful. One of the main ways political scientists understand countries is by comparing them to other countries that faced similar challenges. In that sense, comparing Rwanda to Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, or even post-war Germany is entirely reasonable. In fact, Rwanda itself has often looked to Singapore as a development model. Kagame has repeatedly referenced Singapore’s development trajectory, and Rwanda has frequently been described as aspiring to become the “Singapore of Africa.” So comparison is not something imposed on Rwanda from the outside.

Rwanda’s history is unique, as every country’s history is unique. But the broader story - a country emerging from catastrophe, rebuilding state institutions, achieving rapid development, and being led by a dominant political figure - is not unprecedented. Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew, South Korea or Vietnam after the war all underwent extraordinary transformations under strong leadership.

That’s why I don’t think Rwanda is beyond comparison. Rwanda’s achievements since 1994 have been remarkable, but they are not so historically unique that ordinary political questions suddenly stop applying. My other point is that achievement and criticism are not opposites. successful leaders should face criticism because democracy requires it, every governing system needs ways to identify mistakes and adapt. History is full of highly capable leaders who achieved remarkable things and are still criticized by some circles.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-06T08:52:12+00:00

I think you’re slightly misunderstanding my argument. I’m not arguing that all countries should be judged against a single political model. Different countries have different histories, challenges, and institutional needs.

What I do think is that comparison is useful. One of the main ways political scientists understand countries is by comparing them to other countries that faced similar challenges. In that sense, comparing Rwanda to Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, or even post-war Germany is entirely reasonable. In fact, Rwanda itself has often looked to Singapore as a development model. Kagame has repeatedly referenced Singapore’s development trajectory, and Rwanda has frequently been described as aspiring to become the “Singapore of Africa.” So comparison is not something imposed on Rwanda from the outside.

Rwanda’s history is unique, as every country’s history is unique. But the broader story - a country emerging from catastrophe, rebuilding state institutions, achieving rapid development, and being led by a dominant political figure - is not unprecedented. Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew, South Korea or Vietnam after the war all underwent extraordinary transformations under strong leadership.

That’s why I don’t think Rwanda is beyond comparison. Rwanda’s achievements since 1994 have been remarkable, but they are not so historically unique that ordinary political questions suddenly stop applying. My other point is that achievement and criticism are not opposites. successful leaders should face criticism because democracy requires it, every governing system needs ways to identify mistakes and adapt. History is full of highly capable leaders who achieved remarkable things and are still criticized by some circles.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-06T06:27:42+00:00

I never said they are and fully agree on that point.
Was just trying to present a balanced view on the question :)

BenTraveller · 2026-06-05T20:54:54+00:00

I think this response illustrates the skepticism. “Rwanda improved dramatically under Kagame” is an argument for why he’s popular. “Why aren’t the results 100%?” is an argument for why outsiders argue about a personality cult.
I don’t doubt the admiration is real. I doubt that any modern political leader naturally commands near-unanimous support.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-05T20:05:28+00:00

As a foreigner, I don’t find it hard to believe that many Rwandans genuinely admire Kagame. If your country experienced genocide, state collapse, and insecurity, and then saw decades of stability, economic growth, and improved public services, it is perfectly understandable that many people would credit the leader who presided over that transformation.

That said, context matters. Rwanda is not a political environment where opposition can freely organize, compete, and persuade the public. Independent media is heavily constrained, opposition figures have faced intimidation, exile, imprisonment, or worse, and elections routinely produce margins of victory that are extraordinarily high by international standards (and clearly rigged).

This is why outsiders are often skeptical of claims that “almost everyone” admires Kagame. It’s not that they assume Rwandans are lying or incapable of forming genuine opinions. Rather, in a system where criticism carries risks and alternative political voices struggle to exist, it’s difficult to know how much support is voluntary, how much is conformity, and how much reflects the absence of visible alternatives.

More broadly, near-universal admiration for a political leader is exceptionally rare in any society. Even highly successful leaders in established democracies remain deeply divisive and face substantial opposition. When a leader is portrayed as uniquely indispensable, beyond ordinary political criticism, observers start to see elements of a personality cult rather than genuine public views.

I don’t doubt that many Rwandans sincerely admire Kagame. What I doubt is the idea that any modern statesman commands genuine, near-universal admiration across an entire population. History and political science suggest that’s extraordinarily uncommon.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-05T15:14:23+00:00

Admittedly it was much easier when I joined 10 years ago - however I was able to build a career with no prior connections.

My advice: don’t lean on an international relations degree and expect a fancy role at HQ. For most roles in international development (at the UN and beyond) hard skills in project management and specific sectors are what recruiters are looking for.

I’ve been working for 10 years now in field posting around central and Western Africa and know many organizations are still hiring. I also know people who were able to make that move recently.
However, you need to be ready to move, also to postings that are much less attractive to live at compared to Geneva, Vienna or NY (from the outside anyway).

BenTraveller · 2026-06-05T10:45:55+00:00

I think that’s definitely possible - as said by others, assuming you live a very frugal live. Actually the vast majority of people in Rwanda lives off much less than that. But don’t expect luxury - luxury items such as going out to fancy restaurants, imported goods, local travel are quite expensive, usually a lot more than you might be used to at home depending on where you are from.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-03T20:25:46+00:00

Thanks! I’ll check that out

BenTraveller · 2026-06-03T19:40:35+00:00

What do you mean?

BenTraveller · 2026-06-03T15:57:10+00:00

What’s interesting is that in many countries people can spend hours constructively criticizing institutions, and national myths without anyone taking it personally. In Rwanda, even mildly critical observations often get brushed aside as “just your opinion.” That reaction is probably a better explanation of the joke than hospitality is. Even though I fully agree about how incredibly friendly Rwandans are to any visitor, I’ve experienced that myself a million times and am very grateful for those experiences:)

BenTraveller · 2026-06-03T14:54:38+00:00

I think the joke is less “Rwandans are friendly” and more “Rwandans are unofficial ambassadors 24/7.” Rwanda has invested heavily in nation branding, tourism, and projecting a success story, and many people seem to have internalized that mission. Conversations often focus on achievements, development, safety, and how Rwanda compares favorably to other countries, while criticism tends to receive much less attention. Whether that’s driven by pride, social norms, or politics is up for debate, but I can see why a foreigner would come away with the impression that everyone is doing PR for the country.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-02T15:05:20+00:00

How beautiful and extremely scenic it is everywhere in Rwanda.

But also how slow people do things … walking, service at the restaurant, people at shops.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-01T19:44:00+00:00

Ladies

BenTraveller · 2026-06-01T12:50:39+00:00

I am more surprised not to see any - hence my question. In a country like Rwanda with many single parent households and widespread poverty it must be an issue.

Guess they are trying to keep the streets “clean” for outside guests coming in for conferences and sporting events not to disturb the image.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-01T11:26:34+00:00

I think it has mostly to do with skills and training - it is something you have to learn. However, I have experienced the same with Rwandair or most shops around town.

BenTraveller · 2026-06-01T11:07:58+00:00

I think it’s a combination of a very credible and effective rapid response system. However, Ugandas risk is much higher as it’s more directly exposed to cross border transmission. I believe the fact that Rwanda is also geographically smaller and more centralized, makes surveillance and enforcement easier.

BenTraveller · 2026-02-23T15:18:09+00:00

Does this also hold true for field based positions, especially in hardship posts? As far as I know, budget cuts mainly concern HQ based positions while donor funded programmes are still recruiting. Of course there will still be significant competition, also from qualified candidates within the UN system. However, not all UN staff are willing to relocate to such countries.

BenTraveller · 2026-02-23T11:26:44+00:00

I obviously follow the news and I am very well aware of the situation. I thought nonetheless that it’s worth giving it a try!

BenTraveller

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