Rwanda is an ancient nation. No doubt, every government that has exercised control over the Rwanda state during the course of our country’s long history
can rightfully be credited for some developments that have been of benefit to its citizens. On balance, however, virtually every Rwandan government has
historically preyed on the citizenry and has suppressed realization and enjoyment of the inherent and universal rights of those whom they governed.
For most of our country’s history, our people have not had the opportunity to fully realize their aspirations for freedom, security, and prosperity. Rwanda
was one of the first countries in post independence Africa to become a one party state. Autocratic government (in the form of a government controlled
by an absolute monarch or an all-powerful president) has generally been the norm. Elites in control of the state resorted to repression to perpetuate their
monopoly of power.