The Dutch Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has just come back from a visit to the Great Lakes region. Speaking to RNW from DR Congo last week, delegation leader Henk Jan Ormel explained how a failed state like DR Congo deserved international solidarity. This week, Mr Ormel speaks about the Rwandese part of his trip.

 
“Although I’m looking at the snow here in the Netherlands, my mind is still in Africa. Before I went on this visit, I had never imagined DR Congo and Rwanda would be so different, but the kindness and strength of people on both sides of the border made a lasting impression with all members of the delegation.”
 
Hearing both sides of the story
One of the most important things Mr Ormel learned during this visit, was that the Netherlands have to open up discussions prior to taking important decisions. “Holland stopped giving budget support to Rwanda when it became clear the country was involved in illegal Congolese activities. The Netherlands are an important donor, so this decision had quite some impact. I can understand that Rwandese people are angry about that, and they rightly confronted us with that. We had a lot of talks and I’ve come to understand that next time, in a similar situation, it’s much better to travel to the country concerned and take enough time to hear both sides of the story.”
 
Meeting president Kagame
The delegation spent an hour and a half in the company of Rwandese president Paul Kagame. Ormel: “We could really ask him any question – so we did. But the best part was that he did exactly the same with us. We were quite critical of the genocide law, to which he seemed almost surprised that the Netherlands didn’t have a holocaust law. In just this hour and a half, it became obvious that president Kagame is one of the main African leaders of the moment. He’s a promoter of a green economy, he wants to modernise the country, unify people. And that, I think, is indeed the only way forward for Rwanda.”
 
Women power

And although at first sight the Netherlands and Rwanda may seem very different, Mr Ormel did note some striking resemblances. “Both countries are very small, yet they have a lot of influence on surrounding countries. And both countries are home to people who are not afraid to say what’s on their mind! We had a meeting with members of the Rwandan parliament, which has a majority of women. Our delegation consisted of only men [the only female MP in the delegation had to cancel last minute because her father passed away, MvdB]. We were asked whether the Netherlands had changed into a very conservative country, what with an all-male delegation. We had a good laugh about it, and it was a joy to see that women power is alive and kicking in Africa!”

Photos: Henk Jan Ormel's private collection