HIMBARA, A STAUNCH CRITIC OF THE KAGAME REGIME, IS NOT AMONG THE RWANDANS DECLARED ENEMIES OF THE RWANDAN STATE.

Himbara also appears to have ceased his activism against the Rwandan dictatorship. We at Democracy In Rwanda Now conducted an interview with Himbara on these topics presented here in full.

Portrait of David Himbara

As is widely acknowledged, David Himbara has dedicated himself to critiquing the regime of Paul Kagame over the past two decades, encompassing a substantial amount of research and scholarly writing on Rwanda. A chronological compilation of his published works highlights his prolific output as a scholar and human rights advocate. These works serve as models for accountability. We had the privilege of interviewing Himbara on two specific topics. Firstly, we sought his perspective on the recent publication by the Rwandan government, which enumerated a list of what it referred to as “twenty-five terrorists” based in various countries. In particular, we were interested in his insights on why he is not included on the list, considering that he is widely regarded as one of the most vocal critics of the regime. Secondly, we inquired about Himbara’s decision to take a hiatus from his writings and activism.We are delighted to share the Himbara interview in its entirety.

GABRIEL NDAYISHIMIYE (GN):

David, on October 14, 2025, the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda’s National Counter-Terrorism Committee on Domestic issued a list of what it called twenty five “terrorists and terrorist financiers.” Most people were surprised that you did not appear on the list. Share your thoughts on the subject.

DAVID HIMBARA (DH):

The regime’s primary objective to declare some Rwandans “terrorists”was to target its political adversaries, particularly the leaders of Rwandan political parties who are actively engaged in efforts to oust President Kagame from office. Among them are individuals whom President Kagame evidently fears a great deal, notably General Kayumba Nyamwasa, who survived Rwanda’s assassination attempts on three separate occasions. In my case, my battles with the regime are fought primarily on the human rights front and in the corridors of power in Western countries that provide substantial foreign aid to the regime. 

GN: 

Your absence from the list raises an interesting question about how the Rwandan regime categorizes threats. It appears that the government prioritizes individuals it perceives as having immediate military or organizational capacity, such as General Kayumba Nyamwasa and others involved in active political mobilization to remove the regime from power. 

At the same time, your own role over the years has been that of an intellectual dissident, someone who challenges the regime through research, writing, and public advocacy. Do you think the regime’s decision not to list you reflects a dismissal or underestimation of the power of intellectual dissent compared to militarized opposition? How do you interpret this distinction in the way Kagame’s government perceives different forms of opposition?

DH:

Intellectual dissent doesn’t mean much to General Paul Kagame. In the past, he likened my writings as mere noise repeated over and over again and ignored not only by him and his regime but by the rest of the world. When for example I gave testimony to the United States Congress on Rwanda’s atrocities in and outside, Kagame declared me a mere noise-marker. Recently when the United States and other Western countries sanctioned Rwanda, Kagame told them to go to hell.

GN: 

You have indicated that you have taken a hiatus from your customary writings on human rights, politics, and the economics of Rwanda. Your numerous followers will be disappointed. You will leave a substantial void given the volume of writings you produce and publish. Furthermore, few, if any, possess your profile, which includes being a former insider of the regime and possessing scholarly expertise as an educator, socioeconomic strategist and human rights defender. 

DH: 

Thank you for your kind words. However, I believe it is prudent to take a break from my demanding schedule of the past two decades.

Taking a hiatus from writing, particularly on intricate topics such as politics, justice, and Rwanda’s evolving narrative, can be an exceptionally effective form of self-care and strategic clarity.

Take a look at my efforts of the past decades and the heavy workload associated with it. 

My Rwanda reckoning took off in 2017–2018, beginning with my “Kagame’s Economic Mirage” in 2017. This work exposed the hollow hype of Rwanda’s “economic miracle” – debt-fueled illusions, elite enrichment, and donor complicity. I have been writing about Rwanda ever since. Most recent is “Rwigema Built, Kagame Destroyed: A Rwandan Tale of Saintliness and Savage Warfare” published in 2025. This work contrasts Fred Gisa Rwigema’s visionary spark with Kagame’s scorched-earth legacy. Saint vs. savage – a poetic gut-punch on what Rwanda could have been. Between these two books, I published six other works, not to mention my online presence and various other forms of advocacy for human rights in Rwanda.

Clearly, I deserve a break. I have dedicated my career to carrying Rwanda’s story for several decades. I believe it is time for a period of respite for several reasons. Undoubtedly, constant engagement with injustice, corruption, violence, and other complex issues can be emotionally taxing. I am convinced that a break allows the mind to rest and restore its emotional bandwidth, akin to rebooting a computer. My mind requires downtime to process information rather than constantly produce it.

GN:

Listening to you, I indeed agree that you feel compelled to reconnect with the broader aspects of life beyond the page. Besides, you paid a heavy price — living under international repression of unimaginable harassment, surviving death threats, fleeing from Africa to Canada, loss of employment and members of your family imprisoned back home. 

DH:

Thank you for saying that. I need to start engaging in activities like sharing quality time with my family and friends that were alienated by my intense activism. Reconnecting with my family and friends serve as vital sources of nourishment and inspiration. These activities are not distractions but rather fuel that will remind me of the significance of the ongoing struggle for a united, democratic, and prosperous Rwanda.

GN: 

David Himbara, we extend our sincere gratitude for sharing your insights with us. Your contributions will undoubtedly be valuable to our readers.