I grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda, and I lived there for 30 years. That shapes one's character.

There are things I admire, for example, about South Korea or Singapore. I admire their history, their development and how intensively they have invested in their people and in technology.

It is better for a country to have a strong leader, this applies to the United States as well as to Rwanda.

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

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

Israel and Rwanda both play an active part in international organizations, including the U.N., but I think it's true that our unique experiences as nations have shaped a fierce independence that we will not relinquish.

It is the first time in the history of Rwanda that political change in the highest leadership of the country has taken place in peace and security.