Rwanda: A Stark Reality

Paul Rusesabagina, the hero who saved thousands of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide (and later became the inspiration behind the critically acclaimed movie, Hotel Rwanda) has now been painted as an enemy of the state. President Kagame, the victorious military leader who claimed power at the end of the genocide, has began a smear campaign against Rusesabagina, accusing him of sending funds to extremist rebel groups.

Shocking? Unfortunately, this smear campaign is just one instance among many, in a growing trend of arrests, disappearances and smear campaigns for anyone who holds sway for the underrepresented Hutu majority. Just last week, Hutu opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was arrested for working with a terrorist group, a charge that she and those who know her vehemently deny.

Rwanda is starting to become infamous among human rights advocates for its restricted freedom of speech and political opposition. One opposition leader, in particular, was found tortured and beheaded outside the southern town of Butare in the weeks leading up to Rwanda's August elections. The Green Party leader had earlier voiced his worries about his safety, having been threatened by members of the ruling party only a month before his death. Human Rights Watch demanded a foreign autopsy and investigation into the murder, but to no avail. 

The situation in Rwanda is nothing but worrying.  As Kagame's former head of foreign intelligence, Patrick Karegeya warns, "There is always a limit to which you can repress people. Push them against a wall and they will explode." Karegeya has since been forced into exile.

to be continued...