This is an article on how Rwanda has tried to change from the civil war ravaged nation that saw such a devastating genocide in the mid 90’s. It’s going to be hard to move past that but it appears they are trying. This doesn’t change my position on the sponsor on the shirt or that Rwanda doesn’t need to be promoted in a sports washing kind of way. But the country has tried to evolve.
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/20/1248540834/rwanda-genocide-africa-politics-economy
I appreciate the balance TV, but did it occur to you you might be lapping up the exact message Kagame and the sports washing want you to?
If you genuinely think the current political repression, silencing of dissenting voices in population and press, kidnap, torture and murder of those that dare to speak the truth, opposition diaspora around the world fearing for their safety and life (I could go on a lot) justifies the the economic successes (and apparently - my knowledge is weak on this, but rural poverty tends to get overlooked by articles like that, there is a world beyond Kigali etc) then that’s an opinion, but it’s not hard to argue you don’t have to have oppression to achieve/justify alleged economic successes.
I’m genuinely unsure where to go with all this, as ever continue to encourage a close friend to stir things up at his own risk, but if I have the urge to offer a video call with someone kidnapped, and tortured by the current Rw Govt, just to make a point, maybe it’s right to suggest that to one of the Villa podcasts.
I will get back in touch with my contact at Freedom From Torture I was liasing with around the time our Govt was trying to send folk there.
I wish Villa were not soiling their name.
