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Hello Radio Katwe, I am a reader from Kenya and due to being a regular tourist to Rwanda I have developed a keen interest in understanding the Rwandese socio-cultural and historical dynamics. To me Rwanda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa due to its vista of thousands of hills yet despite its great physical beauty is one of the most unreal and haunting due to its complex society, culture, history and future.
Walking around in Kigali, Gisenyi, Butare, Ruhengeri and interacting with a wide variety of Rwandese, one senses the Rwandese are very dual in nature. In public they can be very warm, friendly, conformist, orderly and deferential but this in most cases hides a volatile latency, intrigue, plotting, private resistance and disobedience.
Whilst one can say that Rwanda has made tremendous economic strides, the reality is that most Rwandese are spectators in the economy, the gulf between the rich and poor, urban and rural is too wide! (Not that Kenya is any better and probably even worse). It is the lack of open discussion about this gap that is worrying, hence increasing the brooding and bitterness that many Rwandese seem to have.
Having interacted with many people and read a variety of opinions, one other disturbing aspect is the distinct and differing views of history that are in Rwanda; the Hutu moan about injustices of the pre-1959 era and to them the period between 1959-1994 is a blur. On the other hand the Tutsi moan about 1959-1994 and to them any other time frame is also a blur. None seems willing to accept the truth and the opportunity to openly discuss the truth is also vanishing as mindsets seem to harden by the day.
In my personal opinion; of all the countries in East Africa and Africa, Rwanda has the best potential for rapid economic development BUT the current governance structure of an all powerful, all present RPF/RDF is unsustainable, unhealthy and destined for a fate similar to MRND/FAR.
I remember in Kigali asking a Rwandese friend about who she thinks can be president after Kagame and the look of discomfort on her face said it all. When there are no independent self-sustaining structures of government, no leadership development initiatives, no open discussion of competitive politics then this means that just like in Kenya in the 1980's, Rwanda is a kingdom in all but name where the King is executive, legislature and judiciary.
On the other hand, a militant and brooding people like the Rwandese are best controlled by a King. Western style democracy will not work in Rwanda as it was exposed by the recent crisis in Kenya. African's have this corrosive obsession with ethnicity. The Hutu fear justice and the Tutsi fear democracy both of which are fundamental pillars of western style democracy. Left to themselves, the Rwandese would be only too willing to wipe the other community out.
Which way Rwanda? Only the Holy Spirit knows. But in my simple human estimation, an idle mind is the devil's workshop if more and more Rwandese become stakeholders in the economy then less the time for negative thinking. The EAC membership cannot be underestimated as through interactions with other East Africans, Rwandese would get to realize that they are part of a larger whole, are responsible to others and vice versa.
A Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a must (even though I doubt it would see the day under the RPF) as Rwandese would be forced to confront the ugly realities of their past and present in order to chart a future.
Readers Comments:
27 Jun 2008
1.
Reaction to A kenyan describes his experience of Rwanda and its people
Please, Radio Katwe, allow me to appreciate this article. I am happy there are objective thinkers about Rwanda. Actually, we ar not wasting time here. We are doing a favor to Kagame regime. I hope Kagame boys are reading this. Indeed, I am reliably informed that they read it although they do not want anybody in Rwanda to read articles on Radio Katwe.
Since I got into a secure country in Europe, I made two resolutions namely, linking up with all Kigali regime opposition leaders in exile. I have managed to a great degree. All I am telling them is that certainly we need a regime change but it should be as bloodless as possible. The worst thing is that Kagame like his mentor M7 does not want talking with opposition. All he believes in is killing them ... How many will he kill before he is killed? .. Let him answer.
It is good the writer of the article to which I am reacting talks about the complex culture of Rwandans. Yes, Kagame and his associates who mistreat the Hutu - not all Tutsis do this - have failed to know. Kagame is a hunter today but take it from me, very soon, he will be the hunted.
Yeah, the South Africa model of Truth and reconciliation is the only viable way forward for Rwandans. My friends, if you put the people that were killed by the Hutu and those killed by the Tutsi on a scale, you would be surprised to discover that you will only have a balance!!! But, Kagame, having commanded the killings himself, take it from me, he can never allow for such a commission. In any case, if donors pushed for it, Kagame, the all powerful man in Rwanda would dominate it. He would fill it with his Tutsi guys like he did with the Commission to fight Genocide. Everything in Rwanda is now Tutsilised!!! God bless my home-land.
Mugisha ( Europe)
2.
Sir, allow me to comment on the the article "A Kenyan describes his experience of Rwanda and its people." I was born in Uganda to Rwandan refugee parents like most "Returnees", as we are commonly called in Rwanda. I lived in Kenya, Nairobi, had a stnt in Burundi now am settled in the US.
I agree with the author of this article but to a certain extent. Firt these are common or universal issues affecting Africa. Thank God we all have good examples we can look at and improve as Rwandans, East Africans, Africans and finally as black people. It was really hard managing or administering Rwanda after the Genocide with Rwandans returning from all parts of the world. Mistakes were made, I do believe, but we cannot live with the mistakes for ever. At a point in time we are and have moved towards serenity albeit with a few individual still learning to co-exist with others.
Long story short, the description given by the Kenyan of Rwanda, suits Africa or Kenya, if you like. All that needs to be done is education, education and more education through independent and fearless media like Radio Katwe. It is wonderful to read about developments in Rwanda and reconciliation, far better than reading about machettes, murders etc. Keep up the spirit.
3.
Reaction to "A Kenyan describes his experience of Rwanda and its people"
I don't really have anything to add at this but i just wanted to
congratulate the person who wrote this article for finally making a constructive argument, unlike most of other readers around who spend time just insulting and arguing about nothing but fanaticism.
We need more people like this.
Thanks.
Kabagema A.
Europe.
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