Most people who know anything about Rwanda, know mostly that which relates to the 1994 genocide. They might not know all the details, but they know that one ethnic group killed another in the fastest genocide in modern times. What these people don't know is the condition of Rwanda in the thirty years preceding the genocide, and fewer know about the colonial period, its policies, and the years before the arrival of the Europeans. These people, though well-intentioned, also lack information and insight as to the degree of mayhem that enveloped the region after 1994 and is still ongoing. Why is it easy for foreigners to focus in on one tragedy while they remain ignorant to others which led to, or emanated from, it?
Whether it be because 1994 was the climax in the tragedy that unfolded before an uncaring world or a result of mass media hypnosis in spreading the victors' tale, what is known is that these people who claim to know about Rwanda lack the information necessary to know the root of the problem in Rwanda. 1994 was not something that happened overnight...it was not planned in a year or two...it did not rise out of the RPF invasion of 1990, and it goes further than the 1959 revolution and the late 19th century arrival of Europeans. These events had an effect on 1994, but the root of the cause is as old as time itself.
I believe if we identify the root we will then be able to also come up with a solution that will, I hope, prevent future 1994s. I think it's safe to assume that everyone- Rwandan or not- wishes and prays that what occurred in 1994 was the last of its kind...in Rwanda and elsewhere.
The tragedy in Rwanda is rooted in the concept of exploitation of perceived differences between groups of people for the optimum purpose of gaining supreme concentration of power and its assured safeguarding. Firstly, the people were divided and classes were established. Secondly, labels were assigned to the ethnicities and, subsequently, the clans. Thirdly, these labels were used to amass power, Fourthly, fear of the past was used to manipulate the masses to commit atrocities regarded as safeguarding their "freedom." Fifthly, purported pursuit and annihilation of such practices were used to attain and consolidate power. That, in a nutshell, is the story of Rwanda from the time of our ancestors to now.
The problem is not between Hutu and Tutsi, but rather between those who want to use the minute differences between the two to gain a grip on power. The differences between the two should not be enough to cause the slaughter of millions, but we saw how they were exploited. To prevent this, I believe we have to find something for all groups (Hutu, Tutsi, Twa, and naturalized) to rally around. Our history is fragmented with each group choosing to glorify whatever pertains to it, and downplaying what pertains to the other side. Whatever happened in Rwanda is part of Rwandan history and nothing done can erase it. Whether we like it or not, we have to find a way to deal with it and let it bring us together rather than being a wedge between us. A house divided cannot stand...so it is everywhere, so it is in Rwanda. If you think the solution is for one group to be killed off while the other lives on to enjoy the land, you are mistaken...it has been tried and failed.
What will bring us together is patriotism and duty towards our country and not any particular person or political organization. We should abhor politicians who want to partition our loyalty while they reap and steal the harvest of our labor. If one truly cares about the people, let he/she work to unite all groups of Rwandans rather than playing them against each other. We have to recognize, rather than ignore, our differences and use them to build a stronger unity socially. We should keep them out of our political sphere because they tend to polarize us rather than unite us. We should be united behind the banner of development, education, health, and other goals rather than behind any one political party or person. If everyone is aware of what is demanded from them and is held accountable, that person is more likely to hold the leader accountable, too. If the leader is to be held accountable, it lessens the chance for authoritarian rule and abuse of power. This is what Rwanda needs...something more meaningful than umuganda and other programs that are more of a farce than anything.
Programs that raise awareness, empower the common person, and raise the overall development of the entire nation, not just a particular city or region, are what will propel Rwanda into a self-sufficient nation. As long as a significant portion of the population continues to struggle to gain a meager meal, they will be turned away from doing their part in developing the country, and the team will be on the field without enough players to threaten or defend against the opposition.
So, if we understand that the problem in Rwanda is not Hutu against Tutsi or vice versa and see that it's really between the oppressed and the oppressors, we can move to stamp out the weeds that keep choking our crops. All Rwandans have to answer to the same rallying cry and our allegiances have to lie with the nation, rather than an individual or political entity. All Rwandans have a stake in a developed, peaceful nation, so everyone's participation is essential. Though it's hard to assure each citizen's participation, they have to be encouraged and cannot be prevented from participating overtly or covertly. Without this, Rwanda is headed through successive cycles of Hutu- and Tutsi-led governments that will continue to play the citizens against each other and develop the country only as it benefits their respective agendas.
