Rwanda maligned

How good to read Mark Fleming’s positive perspective on Rwanda in Jane Bradley’s recent article. Whilst sending traumatised asylum seekers back across the world may be a shocking policy, the negative portrayal of Rwanda used by many opposed to the scheme has been hopelessly wide of the mark.

Ms Bradley gives the impression that the constitutional change that has allowed Paul Kagame to continue as President was something he pushed through himself. On the contrary – and I was in the country as this took place – more than four million people signed a petition asking for the constitution to be changed and this was then put to the country in a referendum which was overwhelmingly passed. What gives us the right to tell another country they cannot keep a leader in power if they clearly believe that person has shown they are the best to lead the country forward? The EU called the 2017 election democratic, peaceful and secure, and the African Union concluded the election was peaceful, orderly and transparent, commending the Rwandan people for their "commitment to the country’s democratic process”.

Other comments in the article claim the country is “still divided”. On the contrary, the people of Rwanda are united in their desire to build a better future for their country and reconciliation between genocide perpetrators and survivors is genuine and globally exceptional. Rwandans are a wonderful people, the country is a great place to visit and after 25 years of travelling several times a year to the country I have never been asked for a bribe and been met with a consistent tide of gratitude among the people for the way their country is being led. Callum Henderson

Director, Comfort International, Glasgow