Historic Reconciliation Between Rwanda and France Offers More than Hope

by Antony Adolf · 2010-02-26 09:26:00 UTC
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KromerGorillas - 20050804 - Rwandan Children - Sarel Kromer (09- by mrflip.A new chapter in Euro-African relations was opened today as French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Rwanda in an effort to mend severely strained ties; and by all accounts the diplomatic envoy was successful.

During Rwanda's 1994 genocide of Tutsis, France backed the Hutu Habyarimana regime which carried the genocide out. Then, in 2006, a French anti-terror judged issued warrants for nine associates of current President Paul Kagame, alleging that they helped spark the genocide. This visit by Sarkozy aimed to mend wounds and offer more than hope, perhaps building on Kagame's acceptance of the World Technology Award for Policy last year.

"For us there is no doubt that this is reconciliation," said Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, according to AFP. "That said, there are still some very tough issues to discuss. I think President Sarkozy is sincere. For us that is the main thing." Not quite.

She went on to say that "Today Rwanda is active in commercial and economic diplomacy. In our relations with all our partners we seek projects that can improve the living standards of Rwandans." Being able to reconcile with France shows the world how committed Rwanda is to creating a constructive future rather than clinging to the destructive past.

Nonetheless, while Sarkozy did confess to his country's "serious error of judgment," he did not apologize. Rwandan officials made it clear that a formal apology was desired, particularly the head of the genocide survivor association Theodore Simburudali. Admitting that development cooperation was  "a very good thing," he went on to say, "but it's not the essential, for one cannot turn the page on the genocide with acts of charity or cooperation."

As priceless as an apology would be, the price of stalled development is higher for Rwandan citizens. While the hope for an apology remains alive, the delivered-upon promise of political and economic progress is what will keep people alive and prosperous.

"The rupture was not in anyone's interest. It's not in our interest to have bad relations," said Senator Antoine Mugesera of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party. Now the rest of the world can follow suit.

Photo credit: mrflip

Antony Adolf is the author of Peace: A World History, and a teacher, public speaker and independent scholar. He is the publisher of One World, Many Peaces: Current Events Creating the Future.
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