This week, in the series to answer questions regarding National Democratic Congress (NDC), I would like to reply to those who asked how RUD-Urunana and RPR-Inkeragutabara have remained united and resisted all the seemingly insurmountable challenges over the years.
When I was thinking about an answer to this question, a thought came to mind: how small nations beat the odds and reach greatness.
As usual, before I answer the question, let me start with a short story.
Genghis Khan, the Mongolian emperor who, from a tribe controlling a tiny central Asian plateau, conquered China and extended the empire all way to modern day Europe, is believed to have been a violent, cunning and ruthless leader. His conquests were usually followed by large scale massacres and destruction. However, there is one instance that puzzled historians, for centuries.
When Genghis Khan conquered the city of Kaifeng, that had opposed a stiff resistence, he did not destroy it. Yet, the city was the refuge of the elite, fine craftsmen, and engineers from China; the very people that Genghis Khan, a crude barbaric but extremely greedy warlord, despised. He cared less about art and engineering. Up to that moment, he allegedly was more interested in pastures for his cattle and horses.
Why did he spare the Kaifeng? Historians and common people asked.
The truth is that, when Genghis Khan was about to obliterate the city, one of his trusted advisers, Ch’u Ts’ai, who shortly before was a foreigner, asked him a simple question: What do you want to achieve?
Ch’u Ts’ai then reasonned: if you destroy Kaifeng, you will lose all the talent, the engineers, and the craftmen. But if you spare the city, you could use all these craftmens and engineers to build even a greater and most prosperous empire. People will be prosperous, you will tax them, and become even richer.
Genghis Kan spared Kaifeng and the Mongolian empire prospered beyond belief, expanding all way from Mongolia to Europe. He was able to unite all the tribes, that were engaged in infightings before.
Hence, everytime we, at National Democratic Congress, think about the Rwandan nation, we often ask ourselves a question similar to the one Ch’u Ts’ai asked Ginghis Khan.
The question we ask ourselves is, how Genghis Khan was able to make the tiny central Asian plateau north of China, divided into several tribes plagued by infightings, into a World most revered Empire. He did it by following three rules:
- seeking unity of his tribes at all cost;
- paying attention to those who advised him;
- keeping an eye on the prize
Our answer on the secret of National Democractic Congress is, therefore, clear: we envision a prosperous united Rwanda, we humbly listen to genuine advices, and we keep our eyes on the prize.
The prize for building a prosperous united Rwanda is too important for us lose the sight. RUD-Urunana, RPR-Inkeragutabara and the young men and women of the National Army (AN-Imbonezagutabara) who protect Rwandan refugees and other Rwandans all way to the Congolese jungles know it.
Are you keeping your eyes on the prize?
For more visit National Democratic Congress (NDC) at:
http://www.nationaldemocraticcongress.org
or like NDC at
http://www.facebook.com/NDCRwanda
or follow me on Twitter @fkanyami.
Felicien Kanyamibwa, PhD, MqBA
President, National Democratic Congress
