On Denial of the Rwandan Genocide

Recently the BBC News Network aired a documentary claiming that the Rwandan Patriotic Front committed war crimes in their invasion of Rwanda from 1990-1994 and during the Genocide of 1994.

The Genocide of 1994 officially only recognizes that Tutsis were the victims of this horrific act. It is also a known fact to the rest of the world that the RPF led by now President Paul Kagame (then a rebel group invading Rwanda), also committed atrocities against the Hutu population of Rwanda.

Victoire Ingabire (Pictured Above) is the public face for such a stand. She came from her relative safety to return to Rwanda to open the political discourse of that nation. Upon stating the obvious - that innocent Hutus were also killed - she was jailed, and after a series of events sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The official narrative of the Rwandan Genocide is nothing short of a crime against the humanity of the innocent Hutu victims whose families are not allowed to officially mourn the deaths of their loved ones within the borders of Rwanda - even 20 years after the horrific days of 1994. To do such would be a crime called "Genocide Denial" and/or "Double Genocide Ideology."

Such "crimes" are the ridiculous grasping of a regime that seeks to control the very thoughts of its subjects. Such "crimes" make independent thinking and human compassion illegal. Such "crimes" should not be supported by the international community, but yet they are. Rwanda is undergirded by the United States and the United Kingdom. There are no signs that this alliance of evil is weakening.

In recent weeks, I have been accused of Nazi Ideology for my above statements by members of the Government of Rwanda. Such claims are laughable, and yet they are tragic. People are dying for stating the truth. I was asked if Nazis were killed in the Holocaust. Such a question is flawed.

Nazis perpetuated the Holocaust against Jewish People. Nazis represented some German people - Not all German people. Some Hutus committed genocide against the Tutsis. This is not a question - this is a fact. All Germans did not commit, nor did they support the Holocaust just as all Hutus did not support the Genocide. Innocent Hutus were massacred in unspeakable numbers just as innocent Germans were killed in devastating numbers.

Do I deny a Genocide? Absolutely Not! I can never fully know the horrors of Rwanda in 1994 because I was not there. But I can know that Rwandans were killed. I can know that all Rwandans suffered to some extent in 1994.  I can know that what happened was sinful, disgusting, and tragic.

Until Rwandans themselves - Hutus and Tutsis - can come to this agreement - despite the powers that be, true peace will be but an illusion.

Guest Blog - The Cycle of Horror in the Great Lakes Region

Source: http://alfajiri1.wordpress.com/the-cycle-of-horror-in-the-great-lakes-region/

The cycle of horror in the Great Lakes region

 

I grew up in the city of Bukavu in south Kivu. From my bed, I could see Rwanda on the other side of the lake Kivu. Bukavu was a great place to live ; even during the last years of Zaire. Indeed, many neighbours, especially rwandans , prefered to struggle for life in Zaïre along with zairians, than staying in Rwanda where ethnic hatred was undermining chances of peace between Hutus and Tutsis. Then, Hutus and Tutsis could better live in Zaïre than in Rwanda.

Bukavu

During the 90’s, ethnic tensions are at their peak in Rwanda and Burundi. In 1993, the  first elected president  in Burundi, Melchior Ndadaye, is savagely butchered by Tutsis soldiers. He was a Hutu. Tension get higher in Rwanda then, as Hutus was rulling the country and fighting a Tutsi rebellion, the RPF. Mistrust of each other gave birth, particularly in Rwanda in 1994, to large scale massacres. During the rwandan genocide a million had been butchered ! In July 1994,  the RPF seized all the country and all the former governement ran abroad like in Zaire for instance..

Melchior Ndadaye

With the advance of RPF, many Hutus choosed to run away from « these Tutsis who came to have their revenge ». They came into Zaire while Tutsis from Zaire was managing to go back in Rwanda. After a couple of days, more than a million had already crossed the border, invanding Bukavu, Goma and all the villages around.

Hutus Refugees crossing the Zairian border

The UN settled camps for them in Mugunga (North Kivu) and Kashusha (South Kivu). Kigali’s new athorities considered those camps as a actual threat as those responsible for the genocide was among innocent people and was training to go back « finish the job » in Rwanda.  While the whole world was denouncing the genocide, with slogans like « never again », none could have guessed that worse was about to come. In 1996, the Afdl of Kabila started fighting against Mobutu. Supported by Rwanda and Uganda, he seized the country after 7 months ! His troops was actually mainly composed by Tutsis soldiers from both Rwanda and Uganda who wanted to seized the opportunity to wipe out Hutus milicia ( Interahamwe).  Everything is in place for a clash between brothers enemies on Congolese soil. Congolese found themselves caught between two fires. This is the basis of the carnage of Kivu.

Laurent Désiré Kabila, Afdl leader

Once in Zaire units RPA (Rwandan patriotic army) employed firstly to empty the refugee camps. Hutu militias plunged into the Congolese jungle. While some civilians have been forcibly repatriated to Rwanda, others have had no choice but to flee deeper into Zaire.

Refugees mouvements in the region

Those who could not escape, the wounded, the elderly, children , were killed , victims of shell fired by units RPA in Kashusha and in Mugunga. It numbered more than 400,000 people fleeing in the Congolese jungle. The plight of these people surpass all understanding and ignorance of their suffering will be all the more disgusting. The UN will just state that they have disapeared in the forest !!!

Hutu refugees going deeper in DRC, 1996

 Indeed, the Hutu refugees were now out of sight except from Congoleses. The revenge could now begin ! Kindu, Ubundu, Tingi Tingi and beyond , the graves flourished . The units of the APR trapped refugees in the forest and excelled in method of mass execution. The UN mapping report traces those killings in the DRC and emphasize the systematic tracking Hutu refugees. Thus, if the APR brought order in Rwanda after the genocide, i twas also specialized in large scale massacres across the Rusizi in DRC . People of Kivu were also slaughtered because of the fact of their presence : Kasika where hundreds of women were buried alive by the RPA, Makobola massacre, and many others.

Killings in South Kivu, 1998

It was during this period, about 1999, that the first reports of mass rape began to surface. The torture of our women actually respond to new expansive view of Rwanda in eastern Congo . Kivu population no longer knows peace since that time !

Taken hostage in their own home by Hutu militia on one side and the mainly Tutsi Rwandan army on the other , kivu people pays a heavy price for this cycle of hate. In response, they organized themselves into local militias : the Mai Mai ! They are these villagers who had enough to see their relatives get slaughtered without reason by foreigners.

In 2003, the APR has officially left the DRC , but to keep a grip on the rich land and discovered mines in east Drc, Rwanda and Uganda will create fake rebel movements.

Since these groups are active in the country to keep the space uncontrollable and facilitate the looting.

These countries officially praise these rebels movements internationally and, informally , provide reinforcement , weapons and plan attacks. This is the situation that is still ongoing today even if these movements have changed names several times. RCD ->CNDP ->M23, both are the same people ! (Nkunda, Ntaganda, …).

Our role today as human beings is to expose this hypocrisy that has costed the DRC more than 6, 000,000 souls.   It’s not about taking any sides but the justice’s and humanity’s one. Rwandan and Ugandan officials behind this massacre shouldn’t be praised by any government as we can see today. Because it is a permanent insult to all those who died to treat as heroes the notorious criminals of the region.

Kagame from Rwanda and Museveni from Uganda

 

Links:

Hutu ordeal in Kivu + Kisangani diary by Hubert Sauper : (the 400000 who disapeard)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yEAfxf6r6U

Mapping report by UN :

http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/africaregion/Pages/rdcProjetmapping.aspx

Denis Mukwege, the Congolese doctor who heals raped women

http://www.france24.com/en/20130201-reporters-dr-congo-drc-doctor-denis-mukwege-heals-scars-rape-women-kivu-bukavu-democratic-republic-congo

The Most Perfect Man in the World

Why would I write a satire piece about President Paul Kagame during Congo Week? President Kagame is singlehandedly responsible for the most suffering in the DRC in the past 19 years through orders he has given. Yes, it is true that there are other factions and militias in the DRC that rein havoc on the people of the DRC, but President Kagame is Terrorist #1 (at least for the past 19 years). This is not my opinion – this is documented fact. To find some of the documents that attest to this, please click THIS LINK.

Paul Kagame is no ordinary president. Most presidents are human and subject to human flaws. Such is not the case with Kagame. He literally cannot make a mistake! He is the most perfect man in the world!

Global leaders yearn for approval rankings that even approach his. Of course, such feats can only be attained by statistical manipulation or voter fraud in any other nation. But not in Paul Kagame’s Rwanda! He truly has the love and support of his people! Who else wins free and fair elections with over 90% of the vote?

Not only do his people love him, but the world community also loves him. They love him so much that some nation in the world hosts “Rwanda Day” each year. Is there a “Sweden Day?” Is there a “Croatia Day?” Of course not – those nations are mere peasants compared to Kagame’s Rwanda! Nations bow down to Kagame’s Rwanda so that he can show off his accomplishments and we can all marvel and hope to become the nation that he models.

In fact, let’s separate Kagame from Rwanda. These “Rwanda Day” celebrations are not about Rwanda. They are about their superhuman leader – President Paul Kagame! They should be called “Kagame Day!” The man (if I dare call him a mere mortal) is flawless! In these celebrations, audience members shower Kagame with his well-deserved praise! Let me hereby propose “Kagame Week!”

Let us reset our outdated calendar that is based on the birth of Jesus Christ and instead base it off of the birth of President Kagame! Forever, the former October 23 shall be our New Year’s Day – Kagame’s Birthday! October 23, 2013 shall be Day 1 of the Year 56!

What other president can literally spank government employees in his office as a form of discipline? Who else can an illegal militia in plain sight and deny responsibility, and then have people actually believe it? Who else can start two Congo Wars leading to the deaths of over 6 Million people and still be hailed as a hero? Who else can then say he had nothing to do with starting the wars in the Congo? Who else can terrorize his neighbors the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and exploit its minerals and then in turn be commended for his ethical leadership? Who else can torture opponents and then have world leaders such as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair sing his praises? Who else can lead a silent genocide in the DRC and face no consequences? Who else can have Megachurch pastor Rick Warren claim that he is blessed by God as a leader even after his genocidal crimes?

What’s next for Kagame? Will he walk on water? Will he raise the dead? Is he divine? He would certainly have us think so!

Paul Kagame - the Neo-Colonialist

When Westerners write on African issues, it is morally and ethically imperative that we remember the Colonial past that our ancestors wrought upon the African continent.  Explorers came, natural resources were discovered, and then all hell broke loose.  The power of the gun won over the power of peace.  The Colonizers claimed ownership of the African land and people.  Missionaries were sent to Africa. While some missionaries had very good intentions, they were still part of the oppressive system of enslaving the people and exploiting the land. This very brief introduction is an understatement of Colonialism and its horrors. I invite all readers to research Colonialism to see the depths of the evils it brought to the African Continent. 

In modern day, when Westerners write on African issues, we are often labeled as “Neo-Colonialists.”  That is, our detractors call us the new breed of Colonialists.  In some cases, that very well may be the case. I will not rule that out.  But in others, just because a Westerner discusses a fact on an African issue, that does not make him or her a Colonialist.  The Pro-Kagame faction of Rwanda is very good at throwing the term “Neo-Colonialist” at anyone who points out flaws within the Rwandan Governmental system and its Human Rights abuses both within and outside the Rwandan Borders.  However, if we closely examine the President Paul Kagame, we see that it is he, and not his detractors, who have sold out to Colonialism.  It is he who has made Rwanda a puppet state of the West. It is he, for the sheer pleasure of elevating his own ego that has made the façade that is Post-Genocide Rwanda.  Rather than bring reconciliation and doing the hard work, Kagame has come in as dictator and wrought fear among his citizens much as any Colonial power did curing the Colonial days of old.

Where did this once refugee get the power to lead a rebel army to overtake a nation?  Paul Kagame was a refugee in Uganda, and while forming his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), he was somehow brought to the United States and trained at Fort Leavenworth.  This is a military base where top United States Generals are trained.  The average soldier does NOT train at Fort Leavenworth.  Had Kagame not “sold out” to the West in the 1990’s, would he have been allowed to train there?  I would posit that this is where he officially became the puppet of the United States Government.  Despite all of his rhetoric against the West and against the United States and against Whites, Kagame owes his beginnings and all he has to the training he received to the United States.  Did he not see that the US was not interested in him, but rather in what he could accomplish for the US? I will leave that question and answer up to the reader.

When Kagame began his civil war against the Rwandan Government before the Rwandan Genocide, where did he get the weapons?  There are no weapons factories in Rwanda or Uganda.  He either had to obtain them illegally or he had to again make a deal with a more powerful nation, thus again making himself their puppet.  Nations do not just “give away” weapons to anyone who wants them.  There are stipulations involved.  Kagame would have had to pledge some sort of loyalty to whomever gave him the weapons.  Again, Kagame “sold out.”

Victors have the pleasure of writing the history books.  As it turns out, Kagame was able to overtake Rwanda after the Genocide of 1994.  He place all blame on the Hutu Tribe and eventually named the Genocide the “Genocide of the Tutsis.”  This implies that the Hutus were responsible for massacring the Tutsis.  Of course this is partially true.  But, Hutus were also massacred.  Since Kagame was the victor, he re-wrote the history and made Hutus into the evildoers and Tutsis into the victims.  This is a sad state of being because in reality, ALL tribes in Rwanda suffered, and all should be recognized.  However, Kagame, in his now Quasi-Colonial Leadership Role is able to dictate history because the West has other plans for him.

Kagame and his henchmen began two of the bloodiest wars that this planet has ever seen, and some of the least reported wars.  Again, this is a result of the Western Colonialism that Kagame brought into Africa.  Yes, in the West, we saw images of the Congo Wars as Kagame’s armies slaughtered entire refugee camps in the hopes that some of the genocidaires (those who committed Genocide) were there.  But, the Western governments did nothing to stop him.  Even after an official death toll of 6 Million, the West has yet to formally censure Kagame with even just words.  Their tacit support just shows who the Colonial power is in Africa.

Why would the West stay quiet while Kagame slaughters 6 million souls (and probably more – 10 million is probably a closer estimate)?  The answer comes down to money and greed.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (once called Zaire in the First Congo War) is hugely rich with mineral resources.  Kagame’s exploitation and incursions only allow the West cheaper access into these minerals which help to power computers, cell phones, and such.  Kagame, as puppet of the West, again, is acting as a Colonial power.

As the world became aware of overt military operations, and as they got more and more questionable, Kagame was forced to be more secretive.  He obviously cares nothing about suffering or loss of human life, and therefore he began to create militias to make incursions into the DRC – the latest being the M23 Militia.  The Group of Experts of the United Nations has provided a report that directly links M23 to Kagame’s government, though he denies this as an elaborate conspiracy theory.  While conspiracies do happen from time to time, I will just be blunt here and say that Rwanda is just not that large or important to international politics to have such a charge placed upon it for no reason.  Kagame will have to come up with a better “explanation.”

An anonymous source within Rwanda confirmed that active recruitment is happening for M23 within Rwandan borders from the Rwandan Government.  Some of the 16 Students who recently fled Rwanda and are seeking Asylum for fear of their lives included the fact that they were being forced to join M23. 

While the United Nations knows about M23 and Rwanda’s involvement, and more importantly Kagame’s involvement, why is nothing being done? Yes, small economic sanctions have happened here and there, but nothing of substance has happened.  I would posit that nothing of substance is happening because Kagame is a Colonial Power of the West! Yes, President Barack Obama is on record for having called President Kagame and telling him to stop supporting M23, but that is the most forceful action to date.

Western diplomats and celebrities and institutions continue to tout Kagame although there is no doubt about the horrors of his human rights record.  Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is an advisor to Kagame and one of Kagame’s biggest supporters.  Why would a former Prime Minister of one of the most powerful nations in the world defend the President of Rwanda (a tiny nation that on its own would have little significance)? The answer must be that the UK is supporting Rwanda to do its “dirty work” in Africa.  Rwanda is doing the work that the UK does not want to do.  In other words, Kagame has turned Rwanda into a Colonial outpost for the UK.

American Mega-Church Preacher Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, has become intimately involved in Rwanda and with Kagame.  While I can find no fault with his missionary work and work in helping to prevent disease, I find it disturbing that he thinks so highly of Kagame.  Does he not know of Kagame’s record? I find that doubtful! Is he receiving “blood diamonds” or some other pay off? As a pastor myself, I would hope to be able to say, “no” to that question.  I will refrain from trying to know Pastor Warren’s motives when it comes to Kagame, but I would call upon him to read the evidence against him and listen to those who have suffered Kagame’s tyranny.

The Pro-Kagame lobby is vicious in their attacks against those who disagree with them.  They blindly accept the “truth” as presented by Kagame.  No matter what evidence is placed before them, they will vehemently deny it and call the presenter a liar and worse.  Their main attack lately has been to call all non-Africans, “Neo-Colonialists.”  It is my hope that I have presented a case whereby the reader will see that it is not those who point out President Kagame’s faults who are the Neo-Colonialists, but rather it is Kagame himself who has sold out to Neo-Colonialism.

I should also be clear that while Kagame touts that the world is against Rwanda, nothing is further from the truth.  The world supports the Rwandan people! The world wants to see the Rwandan people thrive! The world wants the Rwandan people to TRULY come out of the shadow of the Genocide of 1994 and become a united people and a great nation.  Speaking for myself, I do not seek a violent end to Kagame.  I only seek that he turns to peaceful ways and the rule of law.  I seek that he stops this manipulation of his own people and of the world and begins to live as a citizen of the world in harmony with his neighbors.  I seek that he hold fair and free elections.  I seek that he stops ruling by fear and rules by good governance.  

Paul Kagame - A False Definition of Success

On May 18 (2013), President Paul Kagame is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an Oxford University Business Conference.  It is high time, however, that this image of international “success” is exposed for what he truly is. He is the very embodiment of evil and cruelty, and the world allows it because victors write the history books even if the history they write is a lie.  Kagame built his pseudo-history on guilt and shame and his “success” off of the blood and lives of at least 6 Million Rwandan and Congolese humans.

It is true that if you go to Rwanda, you will see a developed nation. You will experience order and if you keep to the “company line,” you will experience safety.  All credit is due to Kagame for this.  However, all blame is due to Kagame for this as well.

Rwanda as it exists today did not come without a price made of the blood of millions, lies, guilt, shame, and dictatorial rule.  While the United Nations has in theory acknowledged this fact, it lacks the backbone to do anything about it.  In fact, this organization has only empowered the Kagame machine. 

In 1994, Rwanda endured a bloody Genocide that killed more than half a million people.  This is where Kagame finds his power.  The world shamefully stood by and watched as helpless people were brutally massacred.  The world heard a cry for help on the news, said, “Those poor people…” and went on with their day.  Kagame capitalized on this and went on to become the image of African “success.”

Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa, who at the time of the Genocide was Kagame’s most senior ally, claims that it was Kagame himself who actually started the Genocide by ordering the shooting down of then President Juvenal Habyarimana while Kagame and Rudasingwa were members of a Reblel group called the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).[1]  This allowed Kagame and his RPF to come in as the “heroes” and stop the Genocide [which they had started].

After a series of leadership changes, Kagame seized control of the Rwandan Presidency.  This is when his war crimes and use of guilt to maintain and fully realize his power come into full force.  After visiting the United States to discuss that the fleeing genocidaires (those who have committed Genocide) have gone into the Democratic Republic of Congo (then called Zaire), Kagame received no response.  He took that as a green light to invade the Congo.  He did not do this as a police action to capture the guilty.  He killed entire refugee camps of men, women, and children.  When this is questioned, it is first of all denied, and second of all justified by the fact that he was seeking justice for his nation’s suffering at the hands of the genocidaires.  With the full force of his RPF military (armed by the United States and other Western Nations), Kagame invaded the Congo two times killing an estimated 6 million or more people.

The United Nations issued a Mapping Report documenting Kagame’s War Crimes in the Congo, but when he holds the guilt of their inaction during the Rwandan Genocide, the UN has always backed down. 

Later, Kagame to exercise his power, Kagame would rename the horrific Genocide of 1994 the “Genocide of the Tutsis.” This implies that the other main tribe in Rwanda, the Hutus, either had no casualties or they were completely guilty.  It is true that the majority of those killed in the Genocide were Tutsis, but Hutus were also killed.  The majority of genodidaires were Hutus, but there were Tutsis who were genodidaires as well.  There are no clean hands as far as entire groups go.  Kagame’s rewrite of the history is a lie and it is criminal.  He has made it a crime to even question his narrative.  To do so would make one guilty of “Genocide Denial,” or “Double Genocide Ideology.”  No one but the depraved would deny that a Genocide happened, however no one but the depraved would deny that both Hutus and Tutsis were brutally killed in this Genocide.

Using his power of guilt over the world, Kagame to this day supports proxy militias (the latest being M23) that go into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and rape and pillage the land and its resources and destroy the people.  While the world is very aware of what Kagame is doing, he is still permitted to do so.  He is permitted to be the embodiment of evil that he is because he has shown what “success” can look like in Africa.  The rich and the strong nations do not care how he got there, they only care that he is there.  He can provide what the Congo cannot.  He can steal from the Congo the vast riches of minerals and resources that are found in the Congo and use the wealth from selling those riches to make his nation look “successful.”

On May 18, the students at Oxford University should be hearing a true success story.  They should not be hearing the ranting of a “lucky” war criminal.  Yes, the administration of Oxford had nothing to do with inviting Kagame – he was invited by a student organization.  This still leaves no excuse.  Oxford has a distinguished name and is known for its research.  A simple keyword search on your favorite internet search engine will find everything that I’ve just told you (and much more).  The students who invited Kagame should have known this and should have invited a truly successful person. 

Kagame is not a success to be admired.  He is a disgrace to humanity.  He is for this time, a leader to be feared by his own people and his neighbors.  Kagame should face the consequences of his actions.  There is an International Criminal Court in place for people such as him.  All that would have to happen is a recommendation for investigation from the UN Security Council.  I find it doubtful and shameful that this will not happen anytime soon, however, since Rwanda’s closest allies, the United States and the United Kingdom both hold veto power on the Security Council, and Rwanda itself is serving a term on the Security Council.  If the governments of the world will not seek justice, then it is time for the people of the world to remember that the governments work for us! We should demand that our leaders hold Kagame accountable. One person cannot accomplish this, but thousands upon thousands can! Choose which side of history you will stand upon.

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[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15165641

The Moon Landing and Paul Kagame of Rwanda - 2 Conspiracy Theories

           

 The Moon Landing and the Presidency of Paul Kagame of Rwanda have much in common.  Both are shadowed in conspiracy theories.  There is a network of those who believe that the Moon Landing was a great conspiracy on the part of the United States Government and faked in order to intimidate the then Soviet Union.  President Kagame has convinced his loyal followers that there is a grand conspiracy against his rule and the right for Rwanda to move forward after the 1994 Genocide on the part most of the World Community.

            Both of these Conspiracy Theories hold little truth.  But here’s the problem:  If you don’t believe in the Moon Landing, no one gets hurt (unless you’re standing in a room of astronauts – then I’d suggest you keep your opinion to yourself).  If you are Rwandan and don’t believe in Paul Kagame’s conspiracy theory, there can be a severe price to pay if you speak out with your belief.

Professor Linda Melvern chronicled what she called the conspiracy against Rwanda.[1]  She says that this conspiracy is fueled by “Hutu Power ideologues[2],…fugitive genocidaires[3], and their supporters.”  This is only partially true.  Yes, there are fugitive genocidaires who have fled Rwanda and seek an armed and violent return.  But, we must remember the genocide is at the time of this writing 19 years old.  The most active genocidaires of that time would be close to age 40 now.  Therefore, while some of the genocidaires  are still seeking return, many have had 19 years to develop a new life and to settle.  Please note that I am NOT defending the genocidaires! Genocide is a horrible crime – quite possible the worst crime that can be committed! I am saying that President Kagame is keeping the fear of Genocide alive so that he can remain in power.

Melvern’s division of Hutu and Tutsi also plays into Kagame’s hands.  While right now, under Kagame, technically it is illegal to claim to be anything but Rwandan – the labels Hutu and Tutsi are illegal, by making people fear the Hutu Conspiracy, Kagame again seems like the savior. Tribe and race cannot be erased because one declares it to be so.  What can be erased is our ultimate allegiance to them.  For example, I am a white American male. I try to use the “whiteness” for statistical purposes only when I have to fill out forms asking for my race.  I may also use my race when celebrating my heritage from my ancestors from Italy, Sweden, and Ireland. Since those ancestors were white, by default, my race comes into play, but it is not at the forefront of what I celebrate. On St. Patrick’s Day, I eat Irish food and wear green.  I remember my Irish grandfather. Being white is only a factor in that my Irish Ancestors were white.  I honestly don’t think about it on that day.

By erasing Hutu and Tutsi divisions – except when it’s convenient – such as when discussing the Genocide of the Tutsis, Kagame has attempted to erase the past of a nation.  Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda should see themselves first as Rwandans, but they should also be allowed to celebrate their uniqueness.  This does not take away from Rwanda. It adds culture and builds up Rwanda.  By calling the Genocide the Genocide of the Tutsis, Kagame has made it illegal for Hutu families to properly mourn the loss of those whom they have lost in the Genocide.  It is true that more Tutsis were killed.  But it is more true that Rwandans were killed.

Melvern’s article claims that there is a master plan that wants to violently overthrow Kagame because the Hutu majority wants to be in power.  This could be true in some circumstances, but on the whole, do people really want more war?  There have been elections in Rwanda, and where has the violence come from?  In the last election, one of Kagame’s opponents was beheaded.  Of course the murderer was never found.  Does it take a rocket scientist to link Kagame’s 93% win with the beheading of an opponent?  Why was political opponent Victore Ingabire jailed (and at the time of this writing remains in jail) because she mentioned that Hutu families should be allowed to mourn their dead?  Then she was charged and convicted on “thought crimes?”  How exactly does one prove a thought crime?  Her crimes were partially based off of Wikipedia articles (something that any Academic knows is not a credible source) and admitted lies on the part of the prosecution.  Her case is now in appeal.  Does any of this sound like a violent overthrow attempt? To me it sounds like people following the political process and being jailed or murdered.

Melvern’s largest error is that she blames Europe and the United States for this conspiracy against Rwanda.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Kagame has been the favorite “African Son” of the West for years.  He was trained at Ft. Leavenworth in the United States.  This is a place where only the top US Generals get to be trained. An average US Soldier does not train there.  He has received countless dollars in aid from the West and continues to do so. When the Group of Experts named Rwanda as sponsoring the M23 Militia that has invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States refused to take any action.  In a very short press release after weeks of the report being released, President Obama made a short phone call to President Kagame telling him to stop all interaction with M23.  Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has vehemently defended President Kagame’s dictatorial regime.  So, there is no Western government threat against Rwanda!

Let’s be clear:

            *The only people who deny the 1994 Genocide are sadistic people. They are obviously wrong. No one except for the sadistic few believe the Rwandan Genocide did not happen. To say otherwise is a lie.

            *Only a sadistic few would say that anyone deserved to be killed in the Genocide.  Most people have sympathy for ALL Rwandans because of the Genocide! I do, and everyone I know who knows about it do.

            *Very few want a violent overthrow of Kagame. To be on record: I am NOT                        calling for an armed or violent takeover! Let the political process work, and let it work as it is intended. Stop the scare tactics of opponents and quit murdering them!

            *The reason there is so much opposition against Kagame’s Rwanda has nothing to do with the citizens of Rwanda. I, for one, wish the best for Rwanda.  Our problem is with the leadership’s bloodlust.  Human Life has become expendable to the Kagame regime. The regime has sparked the 2 Congo wars that have killed an official 6 Million People (and probably more). 

            (When bringing this up in a Twitter conversation, I was sickened on 2 occasions when 2 different people asked me something to the effect of,  “Oh, did you go out there and count all the dead bodies?”  Where is the human compassion?)

            *Since I have mentioned the Congo, all the blame cannot be put on Kagame. The Congo is very unstable. President Joseph Kabila is a weak president (at best) or an uncaring dictator (at worst). Again, all of the blame is NOT on Kagame, but at the same time, when there is an unstable situation, more instability is not needed.  While Rwanda is free to defend its borders, making incursions into the Congo to go after the genocidaires was questionable. There was no distinction made between actual murderers and civilians.[4]

Conclusion:  The grand conspiracy theory that says that the world lies about Paul Kagame and Rwanda is simply untrue.  It plays off of peoples’ sympathy for the 1994 Genocide.  Kagame is a dictator – plain and simple – who rules by scare tactics and an iron fist.  His first and only quest is power.  Rwanda has made great gains under his rule – that cannot be denied.  The economy is up, the nation is beautiful, and the streets are safe.  These positives, however have to be looked at through the lens of what brought them there.  They were brought on the blood of innocent people and maintained through deceit and emotional hostage holding.

           

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[1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmintdev/writev/726/726.pdf

[2] Hutus are one tribe along with Tutsis in Rwanda. The Twa people are a third tribe making up only 1% of the population.  During the ’94 Genocide, mostly Tutsis were massacred, but Hutus were killed as well.  By saying this, I have committed a crime of “Double Genocide Ideology” in Rwanda which is harshly punished.

[3]A Genocidaire is one who participated in the mass killing of the Genocide.

[4] To see documentation of this see the Mapping Report of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/pdf/mapping_report_en.pdf