{{It would take 200 years to try perpetrators of Rwanda genocide through a conventional court}}
On July 11, this year, Rwandans and friends of the East African Country congregated in Kampala to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation of Rwanda and honor those who died during the Liberation struggle that stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi and moderate Hutus, who by the official count over 800,000 people perished. This event was held in Kololo at the residence of Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj. Gen Frank Mugambage.
In a message to the gathering Ambassador Mugambage, one of the leading figures in the Rwandan Patriotic Front said that the new Rwanda is built “on the basis of unity of effort, accountable individuals, and institutions that aim for quality”.
“It is this culture that continues to the present and is responsible for the achievements that have made Rwanda a world model in achieving where some thought impossible,” he said. The African Confidential’s Godfrey Olukya followed the event with an interview with the Ambassador and the two delved into a number of issues, among them the country’s role in the East African Community (EAC) integration. Enjoy the reading.
QN: {{It is 20 years since the genocide. What has President Paul Kagame done to bring about unity and transformation of the country which was devastated by those tragic events?}}
ANS: First of all, genocide was a culmination of the many decades of mismanagement or bad leadership .It was not something spontaneous. It was a result of poor leadership which can be traced from colonial administration, which sowed seeds of sectarianism and dividing of people.
Over the years, artificial divisions were created. Inhabitants of Rwanda got divided in racial groups when in actual fact they are same people with same language. Even after Independence, regimes that took over continued to divide the people. They sowed hatred, and they did it openly. They institutionalized polices that promoted sectarianism and divisions amongst people of Rwanda.
Such continued for some time and it formed the basis on which the genocide of 1994 happened.
Genocide did not only happen in 1994.Even in 1959, targeted killings of ethnic Tutsi began. Many people were killed. Many went to exile. Mini- massacres continued over time. All this led to a civil war. RPF was formed in 1887 in exile and later waged liberation struggle. The liberation struggle meant to bring about change in leadership and unity of all Rwandans. That is the journey that has been carried out successfully.
The government led by President Paul Kagame managed to reconstitute the country by building government capacity in social, economic and political affairs. He has restored the dignity of Rwandan people. Rwanda today is a success story and many people all over the world testify about its success.
QN: {{How successful has been the efforts to bring the perpetrators of genocide to book?}}
ANS: One of the biggest challenges of post genocide Rwanda is dealing with justice, dealing with perpetrators of genocide. The numbers of the perpetrators were big. Many individuals were involved. They are in millions. Another problem was that the planners of genocide had run out of the country and disappeared in different parts of the world.
Another challenge is dealing with so many perpetrators concerns dealing with justice for victims and at the same time achieving reconciliation. A country is its people. We had a challenge to adopt an approach that delivered on all mentioned elements that include delivering justice, fight impunity and achieve reconciliation through truth telling and fact finding.
An International Criminal Court was formed at request of Rwanda and was based in Arusha, Tanzania to deal with the fugitives who had run far and wide. It is coming to its close but it preformed far below expectations. Some cases were dealt with but in terms of dealing with deliverance of justice only 50 cases were dealt with.
We came up with Gacaca arbitration system designed by our ancestors. It is a local system of justice set in villages. Over 10,000 jurisdictions were set up under local judges or arbitrators. Gacaca system operated for several years .Truth came out. Those who served sentences did. Some were let to go back to their communities. Gacaca handled the cases very quickly. Gacaca accomplished cases in millions.
It was estimated that it would take 200 years to try all the perpetrators through a conventional court. Given the number of cases tried by the international court, it is possible that 200 years could have been required to try all the cases but with Gacaca system much was achieved.
QN: {{The Uganda-Rwanda diplomatic relations seem to be on a high. How has the peoples of both countries benefited from these cordial relations?}}
ANS: Rwandans and Ugandans to a big extent are same people. Inhabitants of both countries have much in common. With such a strong relationship a lot can be done. A lot can be done once the relationship is cordial. Officials from Rwanda and Uganda often meet and share good practices. They discuss on how they can continue to cooperate cordially.
QN: {{Trade between Uganda and Rwanda is booming. What is being done to boost this trade further to increase cross border trade and ensure economic growth and development in the two countries?}}
ANS: Ugandans are doing business in Rwanda. They are involved in many forms of trade. They are dealing in crafts .They are in real estate, mining. The whole idea is that there is free movement of people , capital and skills. Growth of investment across both borders is unlimited.
QN: {{President Museveni and President Kagame, together with the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta are at the forefront of promoting the East African cooperation. What’s Rwanda’s role in fast tracking these integration processes?}}
ANS: Rwanda’s leadership identified very early that for Rwanda to prosper, there was need to cooperate with other countries in the region. It is not new. It is a principle. That was a component of the leadership of new Rwanda.
For example, if we talk about developing infrastructure, we have in mind need to access neighboring countries. The northern corridor fits into the big issues that are in the East African treaty.
Creating a big market that allows our people to move freely from one country to another is a big success.
We are also supporting the construction of the standard gauge railway in the region, roads, oil pipeline.
QN: {{How is Rwanda prepared to ensure that it benefits from regional integration in light of claims the integration may favor bigger economies such as Kenya.}}
ANS: That argument defeats itself. It is like someone being with a small cake and saying let me keep it instead of looking for a bigger one. With a bigger market everyone can compete. If you fear competition you cannot progress. It is all about how our people are prepared to take on the opportunity.
Take the example of Singapore, it is a small country but doing very well economically .Let us not be blinded by some of those arguments.
QN:{{ Do you see political integration in East Africa region in foreseeable future and why?}}
ANS: Integration is a process. It needs to build a foundation and pillars. But look. People can move freely from one country to another.
Ugandans can use their local identity cards to travel to Rwanda or Kenya.
We have done things like making our region a single tourism attraction. A visa from Rwanda can be used by a tourists to travel all over East Africa. We market tourism collectively. The pillars are being built.
QN: {{Rwanda is praised for being among the few countries in Africa which have managed to fight corruption. What has led to the fight being successful?}}
ANS: It is a reality that Rwanda has eliminated corruption. Our leadership does not condone corruption.
In his speech recently, President Kagame said that Rwanda’s leadership is made up of three strategic ideas.
The first one is to remain together and unity of all. Second, to be accountable to ourselves and each other. Accountability of everything including institutions. Thirdly,to always be thinking big.
Qn: {{Some international NGOs claim that there is violation of human rights in Rwanda and suppression of freedom of speech. Is that true?.}}
ANS: It is not true .I also read about it in some media. The people in Rwanda are allowed to talk. But hate campaigns, like that which brought genocide cannot be allowed.
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