An Opposition Focus in Rwanda

Rwanda has experienced some turmoil since the beginning of the year when presidential hopeful Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza returned to the country after 16 years in exile. In the wake of her return, events quickly unfolded that, so far at least, seem to have pulled back the curtain to expose the true intent of the regime in Kigali. Supporters of the regime switched from singing its praises and how it was a "beacon" in the region, to claiming that Rwanda needs action at the moment more than it needs democracy. As a result, Kagame is now seen as hogging power and more of a dictator than a democratically-elected leader.
Kagame is a man of many admirers and about as many critics. Yet, to all, it is clear that he is not interested in a conventional democracy. The opposition, and many foreign critics, have jumped on this fact and called for him to step down, either voluntarily or through elections, to allow for a more democracy-conducive atmosphere. However, if there is no Kagame, who can take the reins in Rwanda and prevent what could possibly rival the 1994 genocide and its bloodshed?
The key- and what the opposition should be focused on- is targeting the average citizen to change their mindset. Many in the middle and upper social classes have a lot of interest vested in the current regime that they don't want to, or are afraid to, see things change. The average citizen, poor and largely uneducated beyond a few years of primary school, is the pawn without which the game cannot be won.
In 1994, the majority of the killings were not carried out by the army, but by regular people. The people were conditioned by a system of hate and paranoia that they were able to be exploited to achieve ends beneficial to a few strongmen. This same system that conditions them in this way, also, allows for the creation of strongmen such as Kagame.
The only way to retain power in such a system is to divide the citizens and play them against each other through fear-mongering. As soon as someone rises up to question the role of the RPF, the current ruling party in Kigali, they are accused of "genocide ideology," a law so vague and convoluted that if it had a genuine purpose, it has since been lost. The Tutsi population, which is still hurting from 1994, is afraid that the numerically-superior Hutu are biding their time to finish what they weren't able to finish. The Hutu look at the militarily-superior Tutsi and wonder when they will be fell upon in revenge. Both look to Kagame as a savior, and he relishes this role while allowing this climate of fear to fester.
This is why the focus should be on the system that creates such people as Kagame. The only way to change the system is to change the hearts and minds of the average citizens so that these exploitative tactics don't work with them. Only the people will be able to prevent the rise of divisive strongmen from their midst. They have to be able to speak up for their rights, and be willing to lose their lives in the process, rather than cower in fear.
Yes, to many Kagame is a savior, but even Jesus, after saving the world from sin, did not stick around physically forever. Kagame, too, can step aside assured that, after 16 years, he can still guide the country through his actions while he was at the top...if those actions merit that. To be a great president, you don't need to single-handedly bring development to your nation. You don't need to stay forever, and you definitely don't need to suppress the free expression of ideas. What you need is to inspire people to take their future in their hands. George Washington did not stay president forever even though he was offered the option. Thomas Sankara, in his brief 4 years as president, turned an impoverished country around by empowering the people to control their own fate by building their country. There are many like them, and they are what we need in Rwanda in order to attain true development.
Kagame might feel that the country is not ready to move on without him, but, like a parent of a teenager off to college for the first time, reality has to be faced. He has to trust that his guidance the past 16 years has settled into the minds of the people and that they will make good decisions based on that. Whether Rwanda succeeds or fails if he steps aside is unpredictable, what is predictable, however, is that Rwanda will suffer if he doesn't.
Not yet, however, not until the opposition has been able to change the system and the people are ready to be led by someone who doesn't require to be regarded as an overprotective parent. Then, and only then, will the successive rule of strongmen be over in Rwanda.

Freedom of Expressions Applies to All Sides

A few months ago, I became aware of the political situation in Rwanda and joined a couple of pages on an online social site in hopes of learning more. Undiscriminating, I joined a page named after, and supporting, current Rwandan president Gen. Paul Kagame, and another one for the opposition leader, Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza, leader of the FDU-Inkingi political party based primarily in exile. Through several discussions with other participants, I came to see the passions these people, especially the young men and women, have for what happens in their country. Some even talked about their willingness to pick up arms, should need arise, and fight for what they perceive to be their way of right.

I agreed with some, and I disagreed with others, without taking any one side besides the truthful side, but all in all I was impressed. Over time, some participants began to change their views towards the middle; their shift from radical beliefs to more conciliatory ones reflecting a sense of maturity that a country like Rwanda needs in order to move on from the wounds of the past.

One of the topics we tackled was that of freedom of expression...the ability to speak your mind and bring your ideas to the table without fear of persecution. In Rwanda, two tabloids were first suspended, then outrightly outlawed because of their criticism of the government; the president mentioned journalists' meeting of exiled former military leaders whom it accuses of terrorism and some took this to be a warning against them; There is talk of imprisonment and harassment of journalists with some going in hiding or exile; and Rwanda has been listed as one of the states where freedom of press is heavily hampered by authorities.

Our discussions varied with some supporting the government and others accusing it of heavy-handedness and authoritarianism. But, one thing that became apparent was that censuring of who said what and what they said was wrong. Several outspoken supporters of the current regime were banned from the Ingabire page, and they complained about in as much as supporters of the two tabloids did when the government announced their suspension.

A number of supporters of Ingabire cried afoul of the banishment of anyone from the group when all they are accused of is speaking their mind. Around that time, I paused a question on April 18, 2010 on Ingabire's group page asking whether that page was managed by her or someone delegated by her to that duty. My question was not answered but I was encouraged to ask whatever question I had in the discussions section. I posted my question that same day and it went as such:

"What is Ingabire and the FDU-Inkingi doing to reach out to those who might feel threatened by her ethnicity and what is perceived to be her views?"

Up to this day, no one has answered my question. I even sent an email to an FDU-Inkingi asking that same question and no one has replied yet. I understand times have been tough with her arrest and arraignment on extremely serious charges, but we, as ordinary Rwandans, also have questions that, if answered, can help us cement our support for her. However, beyond just standing up to the RPF-government, she has to show that she will not replace one form of system for a similar system just for change's sake.
Which brings me to another of my questions: If Ingabire, or her supporters, is intolerant of other's freedom to express their views, what makes us think she, or they, will not do so once in power in Kigali?

If the group is not affiliated with her, her representatives should be wary of someone turning potential supporters into critics.  To those who feel threatened and who feel they have sufficient reason to feel that way, this type of action only adds to their suspicion and mistrust. If we accuse the Kigali government of oppression, we have to make sure we are not committing the same offenses we are accusing it of. Otherwise, it's the proverbial name-calling between the pot and the kettle.

I call that those banned from the group for voicing their views be allowed back in and encouraged to debate in order to reach a middle ground that is beneficial to Rwanda in general without alienating some among our midst, no matter how different and infuriating their views might be. The exception, of course, is if their speech is illegal and exhibits threats against others.

The only way to live together as Rwandans is through dialog. We talk, we listen, we clarify our views, and we empathize. We become better, tolerant, and insightful Rwandans for the benefit of our future and our children's after us. Muze dukore, dusigire abana bacu umurage ababyeyi bacu badusigiye.

Hope

Honestly, much as I don't see her as having articulated specifics as to how she can help Rwanda beyond the so-called truth commission, I fail to see what she has done that warrants arrest. Personally, I don't believe Rwanda's chance for peace and justice lies in political parties; they promote an atmosphere of people thinking "me first" that little is done in the way of helping the average citizen. FDU, RPF, FDLR, PSD are all political parties with labels attributed to them by others or themselves, and, as such, their first instincts is to look out for their own interests and survival.

As such, Rwandans should stand up against Ingabire's arrest without regard to her political or ethnic affiliations because it is simply the right thing to do. What she said at the memorial is the truth... badly-timed and at the wrong place, but still true. 1. Itsembabwoko= genocide, annihilation based on ubwoko (ethnicity). 2. Itsembatsemba= massacre...It is unfair to think that only Tutsi or moderate Hutus were killed during the genocide period or in the chaos of the wars that ensued after. I was in Kigali during the genocide and I remember people from both ethnicities being killed. Is this saying there was no genocide, or downplaying the horrors of the genocide? NO. I am simply saying that people from both sides lost their loved ones and their grief is equal to me. I wouldn't have said it at the memorial of the Tutsi victims it I was Ingabire, but poor choice of venue is not a crime she's been charged with.

Fear is something we need to rid ourselves of before we can all take a step forward. For centuries, dictators and oppressors have relied on people's fear of death as a deterrent against uprisings and they have succeeded in certain ways, but there was always a man or woman in whom was found a willingness to act in spite of the fear they held because they knew the future would feed off their energy. Ingabire, though she might lack qualities to make her the next president of Rwanda, she has proven to be a beacon of hope for many. Many others, here and elsewhere, will disagree with me, but the truth still remains that she has mobilized and encouraged some to speak and dream about equality in their homeland.

A few years ago, some said Barack Obama was inexperienced and unproven in matters of governance, but he had, on his side, a powerful weapon; Hope. He offered a war-weary, economically-battered populace a glimpse of hope for change. When election time rolled around, people voted in droves to usher in a new generation of leaders that could reinvigorate their cause for pursuit of happiness. History remains to judge him, but, in Victoire Ingabire, many Rwandans see their own hope.

The stakes are different and she stands to lose more, but the prize is all the same. Though she is imprisoned, it is, by no means, a conviction- that decision lies with the courts of the land- and it might end up being a distraction to keep her from running in the scheduled August presidential elections. So, the best option is to sit back, think about what you base your opinion of her on (be honest with yourself), and see what happens.

History is a fair judge and we will all have to face its impartial gavel. It is entirely up to it to make someone a martyr-not us- so we sit and wait. Let her case be heard and judged. Don't be afraid to form an opinion, but do so with as much knowledge and insight as you can garner so that you make the best decision for all of Rwanda and not just you. When it's all said and done and the smoke has cleared, Rwanda will still be there longing for all its sons and daughters to join hands in building up the inheritance of  our ancestors without fear, prejudice, and malice.