J. Rogers- Rwandan Genocide

Rwandan refugees in Tanzania in 1994

Yet another recent genocide, one that took place in all of our lifetimes, is an excellent segue from Sarajevo. Dr. McCray's comments about King Leopold last week ring more loudly than ever in discussion of Rwanda. Belgium invaded Rwanda in 1916, taking over the colony from the Germans who were obviously extremely occupied with World War I. The fact that the blog post requests we discuss international powers' role in the genocide is extremely prescient, as their roles are clearly defined by their inaction.

In Hotel Rwanda, we see Paul Rusesabagina as an overwhelmed hotel manager in the throes of ethnic cleansing. The radio broadcasts call for violence against the "tall trees," the Tutsis who had been in control of the country for so long since decolonization. His heroic actions and monetary sacrifices lead to over a thousand people's lives being saved.

What interests me most about the role of international powers in the conflict is not so much the West's inaction. Military actions by world powers only occur for either political or economic reasons, for the most part. The United States involves itself in Middle East affairs due to the region's close proximity to Europe, and their vast resources, mostly oil. Involvement in Vietnam was due to a goal of stopping the spread of communism in a region that clearly was choosing just that. Due to Rwanda's tiny size and dearth of resources, the U.S. and other powers' lack of interest does not surprise me. It is tragic, no doubt, that curbing so much human suffering is not on the agenda of world leaders, but it seems history would suggest this is how politics are played.

What is of much greater interest to me is the role of Belgium in the conflict. It is the Belgium colonial government that decided to lift Tutsis to the forefront of politics in the region even before decolonization. Their exit led to a Hutu military state that often sought to remove Tutsis from their positions of power as intellectuals and professionals. This ethnic tension can only be blamed on the forces of colonialism. Belgium left its former colonies to suffer.

The novel, Murambi: Book of Bones, describes the genocide from the vision of an historian. His ability to construct the feelings many in the conflict were likely experiencing is quite impressive. The character I found to be most indicative of not only the ethnic tension but the lasting results of colonialism was Dr. Joseph Karekezi. He publicly stood for the rights of Tutsis as humans and fellow countrymen, but was secretly funding Hutu aims of genocide. When he herds many Tutsis, including his own wife and children, into what they believe is a safe haven, only to have them killed by troops, we see the complete destruction of humanity found in Rwandan society. The ethnic divides have run so deep since the first colonists arrive that Dr. Karekezi sees himself as a Hutu first, and a father and husband second. He believes that the "tall trees" must be cut down, and does what he believes he must to secure his Hutu identity. This loss of humanity was pervasive in the country, even reaching educated, respected doctors. The fact that even Karekezi was swept into the violence and power struggle of the nation shows the pervasive lack of humanity that colonialism leaves in its wake.