Quotes from Paul Kagame

In Africa today, we recognise that trade and investment, and not aid, are pillars of development.

Sometimes our partners from other countries ask us why we have not got further with our reconciliation, as if we possess a magic to just get rid of this tragic history of ours.

There is a need to take advantage of the change that has taken place in the Congo, however tragic that has been in its coming.

We must create economic opportunity, build a culture of entrepreneurship, get people to take responsibility for improving their lives, rather than putting them in a position where they sit back in their poverty and blame others for it.

Politics is not only about personal choice. That one also needs to take into consideration what the people want because in the end, they are the ones who decide.

I said, maybe you need to take a risk with someone else. But they kept saying no, we want you to stay.

We want to develop this can-do mentality.

Nothing would catch me off guard, because I understand the world I live in. I understand it very well. And the world I live in is not necessarily a fair or just world. I have dealt with these injustices for the bigger part of my life.

Technology has brought many possibilities in education and health that are key to women.

There are some who are scared by unity and by building a country on the basis of ideas.

Reconciliation takes time. Sometimes many decades, as the example of Europe shows. It is hard work.

Up to a certain extent the UN soldiers are useful. But they are consuming a lot of resources in relation to the little work they are doing.

The judicial system of Rwanda is not subordinate to France or France's interests.

You kept quiet... When these victims wanted your help to survive, you kept quiet.

I don't think that what we need is an eternal leader.

We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again.

We've used aid to build capacities so we won't need aid in future.

We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again.