Abstract
This article examines from inside the Rwandan Patriotic Front a crucial moment in the process of exiting the post-genocide crisis in Rwanda, “the revolt of the RPF's cadres” in 1997 and 1998, using the notion of “critical junctures”, periods of political contingency during which the field of possibilities widens. The revolt of the kada against the neo-patrimonial practices of the political and military leaders of their
movement, and of the other parties in power, propelled Paul Kagame to supreme power and spurred a profound change of governance.