'Just ridiculous': Rwanda's Paul Kagame dismisses EU human rights report

Summary

In this special edition of 'Talking Europe' from Brussels, the discussion focuses on the European Development Days, an event bringing together development experts from Europe and globally. The EU Development Commissioner Neven Mimica and Rwandan President Paul Kagame discuss key development goals, the impact of foreign aid in Rwanda, and the EU-Africa partnership. Topics include sustainable development, poverty eradication, the role of private sector investment, and human rights concerns. Kagame addresses Rwanda's progress and challenges in development, while both emphasize the importance of political dialogue and strong partnerships for effective development.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The European development days event in Brussels is referred to as the 'Davos of development', bringing together global development stakeholders.
• 💶 The European Union is the world's largest contributor to international development, totaling over 74 billion euros last year.
• 🌍 EU's Development Commissioner Nevin Mimica emphasizes that eradicating poverty is the primary focus of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 📈 Mimica stresses the importance of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental development.
• 🇷🇼 Rwanda's President Paul Kagame discusses the significant impact of foreign aid in addressing emergencies and supporting development in Rwanda.
• 🔄 Kagame highlights Rwanda's goal of utilizing aid effectively to build a foundation for self-sufficiency.
• 🌐 The EU-Africa Alliance aims to shift from traditional aid to encouraging private sector investments and job creation.
• 📚 Rwanda has faced challenges in social indicators like secondary school enrollment and child malnutrition but is actively addressing these issues.
• 💸 Questions arise regarding Rwanda's borrowing and spending on projects like Rwanda Air and sponsorship deals.
• 🛡️ Mimica asserts that the EU's development policy includes a strong emphasis on human rights, rule of law, and good governance.
• 🤝 Kagame defends Rwanda's progress in development and human rights, emphasizing the country's efforts in improving health, education, and food security.
• ⚖️ The conversation also touches on the broader context of human rights and the need for balanced scrutiny between Europe and Africa.

Q & A

What event is the special edition of Talking Europe broadcasting from?

The special edition of Talking Europe is broadcasting from the European Development Days in Brussels.

What is the European Union's contribution to international development?

The European Union is the world's biggest single contributor to international development, totaling over 74 billion euros last year.

What are the key development goals for the European Union according to Commissioner Nevin Mimica?

The key development goals for the European Union are eradicating poverty, achieving sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental development as part of the global UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

What has foreign development aid brought to Rwanda, according to President Paul Kagame?

Foreign development aid has helped Rwanda move on from the 1994 genocide, addressing humanitarian emergencies, and assisting in development efforts such as building infrastructure, growing the economy, and making economic growth inclusive.

Has Rwanda set a deadline to end its dependency on foreign aid?

Rwanda has not set a specific deadline to end its dependency on foreign aid. President Kagame stated that the ambition is to properly utilize aid to build a foundation for self-sufficiency, gradually reducing the need for aid over time.

What is the Africa-EU Alliance and how does it differ from traditional aid?

The Africa-EU Alliance is an initiative to shift from traditional aid to encouraging private sector investment in Africa, focusing on creating jobs, improving education, and health systems, and strengthening the economic partnership between Europe and Africa.

How does the EU ensure that private investments align with development goals?

The EU ensures that private investments align with development goals through strong political dialogue, clear political vision, and joint efforts with partner countries to support and accompany their development priorities.

What challenges does Rwanda face in terms of social indicators despite economic growth?

Rwanda faces challenges such as low secondary school enrollment and high rates of chronic malnutrition among children under five, despite economic growth and development progress.

How does President Kagame respond to criticisms about Rwanda's borrowing and spending on projects like Rwanda Air and the Arsenal Football Club sponsorship?

President Kagame argues that Rwanda's borrowing capacity is still significant and that investments in areas like tourism have brought real benefits, helping to grow the economy and improve living conditions.

What is the EU's stance on human rights in its development partnerships?

The EU's development policy is human rights-based, and it includes strong policy and political dialogue with partner countries to address human rights, rule of law, and democratic values, but without direct conditionality linked to development aid.

How does President Kagame view the criticism of Rwanda's human rights record?

President Kagame dismisses the criticism as cynical and asserts that Rwanda has made significant progress in human rights and development, arguing that the country has overcome tremendous challenges since the 1994 genocide.

What are some of the areas where Rwanda has seen significant progress according to President Kagame?

Rwanda has seen significant progress in areas such as food security, health outcomes, and tourism, with improvements in agriculture, health infrastructure, and an increase in tourist numbers.

What is the role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the context of this discussion?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for development that includes economic growth, social development, environmental sustainability, and human rights, which are central to the development efforts discussed by the EU and Rwanda.

How does Commissioner Mimica view the progress in Rwanda since the 1994 genocide?

Commissioner Mimica views Rwanda's progress since the 1994 genocide as exemplary, highlighting the country's economic development, political stability, and national reconciliation efforts.