Rwandan President Paul Kagame has delivered a strong and unapologetic message to Africans, calling on them to reject the persistent disrespect they face from foreign powers and instead reclaim their dignity through self-awareness and assertive action.
Speaking during a national address on Saturday, Kagame lamented the widespread perception that Africans lack the capacity to think and act independently. “Many people think we are dumb, we have no capacity to think and to act upon what we think,” he said. His remarks highlighted the enduring legacy of colonialism and the subtle, modern mechanisms through which Africa is still subjected to external control.
Kagame criticized not only the actions of foreign actors but also the passive acceptance by African leaders and societies. “I can’t quarrel with you just because you have been coming around and giving me lectures without blaming myself for committedly listening to you,” he remarked, challenging Africans to take responsibility for their role in enabling this dynamic.
The Rwandan leader’s comments tap into a deeper historical context one marked by colonial exploitation and post-independence economic manipulation through conditional foreign aid and international financial institutions. Structural adjustment programmes from bodies like the IMF and World Bank have often forced African nations to adopt reforms that undermine local priorities, entrench dependency, and weaken sovereignty.
Kagame cited the example of Zimbabwe, which has endured years of economic sanctions after implementing a controversial land redistribution programme aimed at correcting colonial injustices. Despite international backlash, Zimbabwe has maintained its stance, with President Mnangagwa recently claiming significant economic gains. The African Union and SADC have both denounced the sanctions, calling them unjust and harmful.
Kagame’s call is not merely rhetorical it’s a call to action. He urged Africans to stop seeking external validation and instead assert their own values and decisions. “It’s as if we are going to do what is right because we have been instructed to do so,” he said, warning against the internalisation of inferiority.
For Kagame, reclaiming dignity starts with rejecting belittlement and embracing African reason and will as the true drivers of progress.
