8 Comments
Apr 10Liked by Eduardo del Buey

Thanks Eduardo. I would agree with most of this, but while Rwanda's progress has been impressive in many areas, Kagame's regime is notorious for its abuses against journalists. And Amnesty points out many other human rights issues in the country: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/east-africa-the-horn-and-great-lakes/rwanda/report-rwanda/

On South Africa, I was shocked when I visited Jo'burg last year at the lack of progress and especially at the corruption scandal in the energy sector that has led to daily lengthy power cuts (including traffic signals!)

Mandela probably should have done more to institute managed land reform (NOT in the Mugabe way in Zimbabwe) but his successors, for all their rhetoric, certainly seem to have taken the country backwards in recent decades.

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Agree with what you say. With respect to Rwanada, I quote that great British philosopher Mick Jagger: you don’t always get ehat you want, but you get what you need!

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Indeed! As always, Jagger is right!

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Apr 10Liked by Eduardo del Buey

Great comparison Eduardo. I remember these events so well. Democracy doesn't seem to have turned out so well for much of South Africa, despite the fanfare and hope. Whereas the despair that existed in Rwanda is a model of success 30 years later in spite of some abuses. Both histories are so painful. Great read!

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Many thanks Mickey. Definitely a tale of two destinies.

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Apr 9Liked by Eduardo del Buey

Fascinating. Makes me wonder why Kenya was chosen to lead the security mission in Haiti instead of Rwanda. Do you know anything about that?

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I really don’t know. But you are right, it would have been an excellent choice. But Bukele has offered El Salvador’s help but the UN has not responded. Hmmmm.

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And Bulele’s offer came days after my article appeared in English. Hmmmm.

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