Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affrairs speaking during #Umushyikirano2017 at Kigali Convention Centre
Rwanda has assured people who think that country’s ‘generosity’ in offering nationality and hosting immigrants on its land will have negative consequences.
During the ongoing national dialogue – #Umushyikirano2017, the Sports Minister in Republic of Chad who attended as a guest requested Rwanda to adjust her generosity in awarding nationality because the current policy might affect its already growing population.
Total fertility rate dropped from 6.1 children per woman in 2005 to 4.2 children per a woman in 2014/15.
“I have heard that you have given more than 400 people with Rwandan nationality, yet you are a quick growing population, with this small, but beautiful country,” said the minister adding that she personally would wish to have Rwandan nationality.
In reaction to her concern, Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affrairs said; “Rwanda calculates any immigration move before taking a decision.”
She said, “As per your worry, indeed it might look as worrying. But we always try to find a balance in new technology, demography and the residence policy.”
Mushikiwabo said, that there are even smaller countries than Rwanda like Israel and Singapore which welcome a much bigger number of people, but, thanks to a high technology, the density is not a concern, rather an opportunity.
“That’s where we are heading to, a technology that would allow us to welcome all the people who want to make Rwanda a home,” she said.
Still on this issue of immigrants, Mushikiwabo commented on the country’s recent move to host African immigrants who, a couple of months ago were stranded in Libya where they are sold as slaves.
She said Rwanda pledged to receive 30,000 immigrants with a belief that every human being deserves value.
She insisted, Rwanda always strikes a balance between the numbers, territorial capacity and technological advancement.
