The new Rwanda is about building an economy that delivers prosperity and opportunity for our citizens based on a robust private sector. Foreign adventures would be costly and counterproductive distractions from these challenging objectives.

The history and national interest of Rwanda and the Rwandan people dictate our national orientation.

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.

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

The efficiency of a President at the beginning of his term depends on their capacity to get everything under control. That was my case. But once the institutions have been put in place, and the responsibilities delegated, the leader becomes a reference, a referee, a symbol and unifying figure for the nation. The issue is how and when to recognize the moment when staying in power becomes counterproductive.

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.

Infrastructure is key, but also how it's used, and that's political.