The placards speak for themselves as these Rwandans and nationals of those particular countries line the streets to welcome Kagame in London
From Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and all across France – all roads are leading to Paris as hundreds of Rwandans travel to the French capital to receive President Paul Kagame who will be there for two major UN events.
According to organisers, the moment news surfaced last week that President Kagame would be there on Friday this week, phone calls and emails were flowing around as many sought to meet the president. Some – mainly those who have live in Europe for years or were actually born there, will be seeing him for the first time.
Over the years, whenever Rwandans hear of plans for Kagame travels to Europe, North America or anywhere, they want to meet him. Thousands abandon their jobs to spend days camped in a particular city. These events have come to be known as “Rwanda Day”. In Europe, London and Paris have hosted such events. Many others have taken place in other countries.
Back in September 11, 2011, over 3500 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda descended on Paris, when Kagame was there to meet French officials including a high level summit with then French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Kagame swarmed by thousands of eager supporters at Rwanda Day in Paris, September 11, 2011
President Kagame will be in Paris on official business. He will speak at the high-level conference on education and mobile communications organized by the International Telecommunications Union and UNESCO.
But for Rwandans out there, who have for years repeatedly demanded for another “Rwanda Day”, they can’t wait to have the UN events concluded. According to Rwandan diplomats quoted by local media in Rwanda, diaspora groups have flocked to embassies asking for details. Those flocking to Paris are not going for Rwanda Day, they just want to be there – maybe by some chance, and they will see him pass.
Like previous events, during the day, as Kagame will be inside the conference room, hundreds will be lining Paris streets donning all sorts of nationalistic clothing along the route of his travel to the venue. There, they will be chanting and singing all day – carrying placards.
There is no way President Kagame can leave Paris without meeting them. Despite his busy schedule, there will most likely be a diner address. Very often a venue will be set up – a hotel conference hall.
The message on the faces of these young Rwandans is all clear. They were at a previous event at which they received President Kagame
While inside such events, there will be dozens of non-Rwandans. At previous such meetings, people of nationalities in West Africa have asked Kagame to help bring some order to his counterparts on the continent. Nationals from Congo have asked what it would take to have a leader like him to bring some sanity to their war ravaged country.
Kagame’s presence is not a big party for Rwandan diaspora alone. The big western media scramble for his interviews – very often bringing them large audiences, because he will most like make a big announcement or give a yearly quote.