tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165569318646373715.post4887021559577584728..comments2023-09-26T10:47:59.520-04:00Comments on Democracy Watch - Rwanda: The hierarchy of ethnicitysusan thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895131853652875972noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165569318646373715.post-57362669654902318182010-10-02T12:55:54.944-04:002010-10-02T12:55:54.944-04:00Susan,
The over reliance on ethnic labels in the ...Susan,<br /><br />The over reliance on ethnic labels in the GLR politics worries some of us too. But, as you know very well, it is a complex issue. On one hand you have the RPF regime that pretends to operate in a post-ethnic environment. But when you dig deeper, their policies are ethnic-centric and exclusionary.<br /><br />The reality as you observe, is that most of the violence is committed against people of lower socio-economic backgrounds. It is mostly the elites who survive, and who continue to shape the story with their sinister agenda to maintain power.<br /><br />Thus the truth is rarely told, and the suffering continues deep in the villages. <br /><br />For instance, the current RPF elites who use the Genocide as a tool for political expediency, have little in common with most genocide survivors. <br /><br />How Rwandans will get beyond this pitfall, I don't know. But I should say that the UN report is a tremendous step in the right direction. Of course, politicians on both sides are going to play the report, but on a personal level, it offers some (minute) room for reconciliation. <br /><br />It is very horrific to die like a dog (forgive my analogy) without recognition. <br /><br />Finally, you ask the question, "Will the shine come off RPF rule?"<br /><br />Personally, I do not think regime change is all that is necessary. But I do think that the RPF regime must be held accountable.<br /><br />As it appears, not so much will change. I do believe that we Rwandans, with the support of the democratic world, can recreate a more equitable country that respects fundamental freedoms. This can be done and we are already doing it (you included)!Nkundahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14082281582678434598noreply@blogger.com