[Since
1994, the world witnesses the horrifying Tutsi minority (14%) ethnic
domination, the Tutsi minority ethnic rule with an iron hand, tyranny
and corruption in Rwanda. The current government has been characterized
by the total impunity of RPF criminals, the Tutsi economic monopoly, the
Tutsi militaristic domination, and the brutal suppression of the rights
of the majority of the Rwandan people (85% are Hutus)and mass arrests
of Hutus by the RPF criminal organization =>AS International]
Rwanda – It has been difficult to fully understand the nature and causes of conflicts in the Great Lakes region because much
information is kept away from public view or distorted in favor of
Nilotic Tutsi and against Bantu Hutu.
information is kept away from public view or distorted in favor of
Nilotic Tutsi and against Bantu Hutu.
A combination of
geopolitical conflicts over Great Lake’s resources in collaboration with
Tutsi, anti-sectarian laws in Uganda and Rwanda and reporting the
region largely since 1994 in the wake of Rwanda genocide has left many
things unsaid like the fact that Tutsi committed genocide against Hutu
in Burundi in 1965, 1972, 1988 and 1993 as recorded by Lemarchand (1994)
and reported by Patrick Duport in the undated paper titled “The
Sub-regional context of the crises in Rwanda and Burundi”.
Evidence
is turning up that RPA (Rwanda Patriotic Army) committed atrocities
against Hutu people since 1990 but as Amnesty International has reported
“The international community appears to be making excuses for the new
Rwandese authorities and turning a blind eye to human rights violations
committed by RPA soldiers on the ground that they are not as serious as
those committed by its predecessor” (New Africa December 1994).
is turning up that RPA (Rwanda Patriotic Army) committed atrocities
against Hutu people since 1990 but as Amnesty International has reported
“The international community appears to be making excuses for the new
Rwandese authorities and turning a blind eye to human rights violations
committed by RPA soldiers on the ground that they are not as serious as
those committed by its predecessor” (New Africa December 1994).
Yusufu
Bangura has warned that “In a context of ethnic divisions and social
tensions, militarism may fan the flames of genocide as all parties to
the conflict may be forced to operate in terms of ethnic survival. … It
is important to note that elements within the ranks of the militarists
are the same ones that committed genocide against Hutu refugees and
rebuffed all efforts by the UN to investigate the crime. … Militarism
breeds a culture of violence and empowers those with guns at the expense
of civic groups and pro-democracy political parties [as is happening in
Uganda now]”(West Africa 19
October-1 November 1998).
Bangura has warned that “In a context of ethnic divisions and social
tensions, militarism may fan the flames of genocide as all parties to
the conflict may be forced to operate in terms of ethnic survival. … It
is important to note that elements within the ranks of the militarists
are the same ones that committed genocide against Hutu refugees and
rebuffed all efforts by the UN to investigate the crime. … Militarism
breeds a culture of violence and empowers those with guns at the expense
of civic groups and pro-democracy political parties [as is happening in
Uganda now]”(West Africa 19
October-1 November 1998).
It is important to note at this
juncture that some governments hesitate to declare genocide because
“Genocide is a crime that, under international law obliges certain
responses from states and organizations with a commitment to human
rights”(Current History April 1995). You also need to note that
“Initially, the Rwandans [RPF government] requested the formation of an
international court. But when the UN Security Council decided to locate
the tribunal outside the country and not to allow the tribunal to use
the death penalty, Rwanda, which then held one of the security council’s
seats, cast the lone dissenting vote against the court”(legalaffairs
September/October 2002).
juncture that some governments hesitate to declare genocide because
“Genocide is a crime that, under international law obliges certain
responses from states and organizations with a commitment to human
rights”(Current History April 1995). You also need to note that
“Initially, the Rwandans [RPF government] requested the formation of an
international court. But when the UN Security Council decided to locate
the tribunal outside the country and not to allow the tribunal to use
the death penalty, Rwanda, which then held one of the security council’s
seats, cast the lone dissenting vote against the court”(legalaffairs
September/October 2002).
It is also believed that Rwanda cast
the lone vote against the establishment of the international
tribunal because in establishing the tribunal the Security Council
decided that it should “prosecute persons responsible for genocide and
other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in
that country [Rwanda] and Rwandese citizens responsible for such acts
committed in neighboring states between 1 January and 31 December
1994”(Chronicle March 1995). Rwanda government cooperation with the
tribunal has been less than satisfactory. Wendy Davis has observed that
“… Rwanda is disrupting cooperation for political gain, to prevent the
tribunal’s chief prosecutor Carla de Ponte from indicting Tutsi members
of the Rwandan army for war crimes allegedly committed against Hutu in
1994”(legalaffairs September/October 2002).
the lone vote against the establishment of the international
tribunal because in establishing the tribunal the Security Council
decided that it should “prosecute persons responsible for genocide and
other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in
that country [Rwanda] and Rwandese citizens responsible for such acts
committed in neighboring states between 1 January and 31 December
1994”(Chronicle March 1995). Rwanda government cooperation with the
tribunal has been less than satisfactory. Wendy Davis has observed that
“… Rwanda is disrupting cooperation for political gain, to prevent the
tribunal’s chief prosecutor Carla de Ponte from indicting Tutsi members
of the Rwandan army for war crimes allegedly committed against Hutu in
1994”(legalaffairs September/October 2002).
The international community has turned a blind eye to protect Rwanda government and soldiers. Here are some examples.
1.
The Gersony report which concluded that “… there was a prevalence of
systematic and sustained killing and persecution of civilian Hutus by
the RPF” (Sadako Ogata 2005) was never published.
The Gersony report which concluded that “… there was a prevalence of
systematic and sustained killing and persecution of civilian Hutus by
the RPF” (Sadako Ogata 2005) was never published.
2. Sadako
Ogata also reported that in southern and southeastern regions of Butare,
Kibungo and parts of Kigali “Large scale and indiscriminate killings of
men, women, children including the sick and the elderly, were
consistently reported. Particularly random and violent were mass
killings at meetings”. These killings took place after Hutu soldiers and
militia had left and “Ten thousand Tutsi returnees from recent and old
times armed with spears and bow and arrows were present” (Sadako Ogata
2005). The report wasn’t acted on.
Ogata also reported that in southern and southeastern regions of Butare,
Kibungo and parts of Kigali “Large scale and indiscriminate killings of
men, women, children including the sick and the elderly, were
consistently reported. Particularly random and violent were mass
killings at meetings”. These killings took place after Hutu soldiers and
militia had left and “Ten thousand Tutsi returnees from recent and old
times armed with spears and bow and arrows were present” (Sadako Ogata
2005). The report wasn’t acted on.
3. Jean N.
Gahururu reports that the late Sendashonga former minister of the
interior in RPF government who was assassinated in Nairobi, Kenya had
agreed to testify before the International Court on Rwanda. “This former
dignitary of the Rwanda Patriotic Front, who had documented the
genocide and massacres of Hutu and democratic Tutsi committed by the
Rwanda Patriotic Front from 1990 to today[1998], was determined to
dismantle the myth of the good liberator [RPF], who went to war to stop
the genocide of April 1994. Might that not be not the reason he was
assassinated?(EIR June 5, 1998). The international community kept
silent.
Gahururu reports that the late Sendashonga former minister of the
interior in RPF government who was assassinated in Nairobi, Kenya had
agreed to testify before the International Court on Rwanda. “This former
dignitary of the Rwanda Patriotic Front, who had documented the
genocide and massacres of Hutu and democratic Tutsi committed by the
Rwanda Patriotic Front from 1990 to today[1998], was determined to
dismantle the myth of the good liberator [RPF], who went to war to stop
the genocide of April 1994. Might that not be not the reason he was
assassinated?(EIR June 5, 1998). The international community kept
silent.
4. Catharine Newbury writes “After taking power in
1994 the RPA [Rwanda Patriotic Army] engaged in massacres of Hutu in
some regions. In 1995 dramatic cases of army brutality sent shock waves
of fear through the camps. During the Kibeho massacre in April, at least
2000 and perhaps as many as 8000 persons were killed when RPA moved to
close a displaced persons camp in southwestern Rwanda; in September more
than 100 villages and their mayor were massacred at Kanama in
northwestern Rwanda”(United States Institute of Peace. Zaire:
Predicament and Prospects 1997).
1994 the RPA [Rwanda Patriotic Army] engaged in massacres of Hutu in
some regions. In 1995 dramatic cases of army brutality sent shock waves
of fear through the camps. During the Kibeho massacre in April, at least
2000 and perhaps as many as 8000 persons were killed when RPA moved to
close a displaced persons camp in southwestern Rwanda; in September more
than 100 villages and their mayor were massacred at Kanama in
northwestern Rwanda”(United States Institute of Peace. Zaire:
Predicament and Prospects 1997).
5. The Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano pointed
out that Rwanda in reality has suffered a ‘double genocide’. This
second genocide … was a genocide of Hutu … continued in the forests of
Zaire, where Hutu fugitives were massacred for months, without
protection from the international community”(EIR June 18, 1999).
out that Rwanda in reality has suffered a ‘double genocide’. This
second genocide … was a genocide of Hutu … continued in the forests of
Zaire, where Hutu fugitives were massacred for months, without
protection from the international community”(EIR June 18, 1999).
6.
In an interview with Daniel N. Kalinali during the Commonwealth Summit
in Kampala Uganda boasted while responding to a question about hunting
down and killing
genocidaires and Interahamwe in DRC “We did that very very
successfully, absolutely” (The Africa Report 2008). But how did Kagame
and his soldiers distinguish genocidaires and Interahamwe from civilians
since the three groups mixed and wore the same clothes?
In an interview with Daniel N. Kalinali during the Commonwealth Summit
in Kampala Uganda boasted while responding to a question about hunting
down and killing
genocidaires and Interahamwe in DRC “We did that very very
successfully, absolutely” (The Africa Report 2008). But how did Kagame
and his soldiers distinguish genocidaires and Interahamwe from civilians
since the three groups mixed and wore the same clothes?
That
Uganda and Rwanda have managed to destabilize the region for so long and
without condemnation is because they have external support. Lakongo
Bafalikike reports that “It is hard for anybody to believe that Uganda,
Rwanda and Burundi, three small and poor countries which produce coffee,
tea, cotton and bananas, but no mineral exports can afford to attack an
immense country such as the Congo, so rich in minerals … One wonders
how they have managed to sustain the war for over three years now. They
have dared to do so because they are looting Con go’s wealth and enjoy
the backing of external forces (West Africa
30th September-6thOctober 2002).
Uganda and Rwanda have managed to destabilize the region for so long and
without condemnation is because they have external support. Lakongo
Bafalikike reports that “It is hard for anybody to believe that Uganda,
Rwanda and Burundi, three small and poor countries which produce coffee,
tea, cotton and bananas, but no mineral exports can afford to attack an
immense country such as the Congo, so rich in minerals … One wonders
how they have managed to sustain the war for over three years now. They
have dared to do so because they are looting Con go’s wealth and enjoy
the backing of external forces (West Africa
30th September-6thOctober 2002).
It
is also reported that during the pursuit of genocidaires and
Interahamwe a foreign country “… provided the Rwandans [RPF/A] with
information about refuge movements obtained from satellite surveillance
of the area, thus helping them track those who left the area” (Debra
Liang-Fenton 2004).
is also reported that during the pursuit of genocidaires and
Interahamwe a foreign country “… provided the Rwandans [RPF/A] with
information about refuge movements obtained from satellite surveillance
of the area, thus helping them track those who left the area” (Debra
Liang-Fenton 2004).
Hutu continue to be treated by foreigners
as the ‘bad guys’ who should be hunted down and punished severely. But
we now know that RPF participated in the killing of Tutsi and moderate
Hutu during the genocide period in 1994. The killing of Hutu by Tutsi in
genocide style began in Burundi in 1965, 1972, 1988 and
1993. The genocide in Burundi is the first in the world after the
holocaust.
as the ‘bad guys’ who should be hunted down and punished severely. But
we now know that RPF participated in the killing of Tutsi and moderate
Hutu during the genocide period in 1994. The killing of Hutu by Tutsi in
genocide style began in Burundi in 1965, 1972, 1988 and
1993. The genocide in Burundi is the first in the world after the
holocaust.
While many people in the Great Lakes region want
peace and security, it is increasingly becoming difficult to imagine
when that situation will arrive. There are still threats and the culture
of impunity is still very much alive. The Hutu people have suffered
disproportionately beginning in Burundi when the first pre-independence
prime minister designate was assassinated by Tutsi rivals through a
hired Greek gunman shortly before independence in 1962.
peace and security, it is increasingly becoming difficult to imagine
when that situation will arrive. There are still threats and the culture
of impunity is still very much alive. The Hutu people have suffered
disproportionately beginning in Burundi when the first pre-independence
prime minister designate was assassinated by Tutsi rivals through a
hired Greek gunman shortly before independence in 1962.
The
Social Revolution of 1959 in Rwanda was sparked by Tutsi youth when they
attacked a Hutu who had just been appointed a local chief by Belgian
authorities. It was the Tutsi that began attacking the newly established
Hutu led government of Rwanda from Uganda shortly after
independence.
Social Revolution of 1959 in Rwanda was sparked by Tutsi youth when they
attacked a Hutu who had just been appointed a local chief by Belgian
authorities. It was the Tutsi that began attacking the newly established
Hutu led government of Rwanda from Uganda shortly after
independence.
In spite of these facts about Tutsi aggression,
Hutu people continue to be condemned for problems in the region. By and
large, Hutu have been more victims than perpetrators of conflict. It is
the Tutsi people since they met Bantu Hutu in the region in the 15th century
that caused instability and insecurity, not Hutus. Unless Tutsi culture
of violence with impunity is uprooted, the region won’t enjoy peace in
many years hence. A permanent mechanism needs to be put in place so that
another M23 doesn’t emerge.
Hutu people continue to be condemned for problems in the region. By and
large, Hutu have been more victims than perpetrators of conflict. It is
the Tutsi people since they met Bantu Hutu in the region in the 15th century
that caused instability and insecurity, not Hutus. Unless Tutsi culture
of violence with impunity is uprooted, the region won’t enjoy peace in
many years hence. A permanent mechanism needs to be put in place so that
another M23 doesn’t emerge.
United
Democratic Ugandans (UDU) is trying to bring about peace in the region
by non-violent means. We call on peace-loving countries and
organizations around to
extend a helping hand in this worthwhile endeavor.
Democratic Ugandans (UDU) is trying to bring about peace in the region
by non-violent means. We call on peace-loving countries and
organizations around to
extend a helping hand in this worthwhile endeavor.
End/
The Truth can be buried and stomped into the ground where none can see, yet eventually it will, like a seed, break through the surface once again far more potent than ever, and Nothing can stop it. Truth can be suppressed for a “time”, yet It cannot be destroyed. ==> Wolverine
The Truth can be buried and stomped into the ground where none can see, yet eventually it will, like a seed, break through the surface once again far more potent than ever, and Nothing can stop it. Truth can be suppressed for a time, yet It cannot be destroyed => Wolverine
