The report compiled by the UN High Commission on Human Rights on violations of international humanitarian law between 1993 and 2003 in DRC was published on 1 October.
Following the report, Filip Reyntjens, professor of Law and Politics, Institute of Development Policy and Management at the University of Antwerp, wrote on the RNW Africa website earlier this week that it is clear that "the most serious and systematic crimes are placed firmly on the doorstep of Paul Kagame’s Rwanda."
In response to Reyntjens article, The UN report on Congo's atrocities: the end of impunity? , Albert Rudatsimburwa, a Rwandan political analyst has this to say:
It is always interesting and rather entertaining to be privy to the view of Professor Philip Reyntjens on the politics of a country he has last visited 18 years ago. One might even be tempted to admire his sense of loyalty to the memory of the late Juvenal Habyarimana, President of Rwanda from July 1973 to April 1994.
After all, was he not greatly instrumental in consolidating the latter’s absolute hold on power by providing him, with the help of few others, with a rather well drafted constitutional text? The very text that gave Habyarimana the legal framework to reduce the Tutsis of Rwanda to a status of second class citizenship, effectively setting the wheels in motion in what would later become one of the worst crimes ever perpetrated by a state against its own people.
Relying on Philip Reyntjens for an expert view on Rwanda would be like communicating with the spirit of Socrates or Plato to get an update of the political situation of Greece.
So enough with the rantings of those feeding on the nostalgia from colonial days to Cold War when Africa used to be told what to do, what to think, how to act and never to speak.
Double standards
A new day is dawning on Africa, and Rwanda is spearheading this quiet revolution.
The recently leaked and subsequently released UN report on alleged crimes perpetrated by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) amongst others in the DRC between 1993 and 2003 is yet another example of the clear double standards on human rights issues when it comes to dealing with Africa from a Western perspective.
The 1994 Genocide on the Tutsi is a fact recognised by International Law and backed by mountains of evidence which have allowed for the prosecution of those suspected in having had a hand in these atrocities in one way or another.
Here is another fact, no less important. Genocide is a legal term defined in the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Understandable
In light of the definition, the reaction of Rwanda on the release of this report can only be described as understandable. No state in its right mind would accept such baseless allegations backed by no evidence whatsoever to be leveled against it. It is quite evident that the “intent” on the part of the authors and sponsors of this so-called report is to tarnish the otherwise blemish free success story of the current Rwandan Government led by Paul Kagame.
Why wouldn’t they? Isn’t it the same Paul Kagame who exposed the UN’s inefficiencies by stopping the 1994 Genocide in their presence? Was it not the same Paul Kagame led RPA that single handedly solved the humanitarian catastrophe referred to in this report by repatriating and successfully rehabilitating over 3 million “Hutu” refugees who had been taken hostage by the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR) right across the border?
It is indeed the same Paul Kagame who successfully raised his country from the ashes of her tragically violent and divided past to become the success story that it is today for the whole world to see. And this bothers those who feed on African misery to make a name for themselves as champions of human rights; those modern day messiahs who know so much better than us ignorant Africans that our only chance for survival is the repentance of our sins, however unreal they might be.
Disciplined and efficient
Africa is no fatality; Paul Kagame, more than any other African Leader, understands it. He found a solution to justice for the survivors and the perpetrators, stabilized and pacified a troubled Great Lakes Region and brought steadfast economic growth to East Africa.
The Rwandan Army that stands accused today of possible acts of genocide is cited as the most disciplined and efficient in the UN peacekeeping mission it is involved in.
This same discipline that the Rwandan Army has always shown was one of the keys to success in fighting the genocide without descending into a whirlwind of revenge killings. It was also one for defeating the FAZ and their mercenaries Yougo’s, the FAR, Interahamwe, Mai-mai and others. And it is well documented that Paul Kagame tirelessly called upon the “international community” to “do something” about the clear and imminent threat paused by refugee camps set up Rwanda’s border with DRC, a mere 200 meters away.
Thorn in the foot
It is also documented that the ex-Far with their allies were on the verge of launching multiple attacks on Rwanda to “finish the job” when the Government of Rwanda decided to send an “integrated exFAR-exAPR” contingent to solve the problem and repatriate all willing unarmed Rwandan refugees/hostage. What would be the logic in sending a Hutu-Tutsi army to carry out massacres of Hutu civilians?
But for all these facts cited above, Paul Kagame is and will always be a thorn in the foot of those who regard humanitarian aid as a business with a future in Africa.
It’s a perfect zero-sum equation. One can’t stand the other.
Am I now suggesting that the Congo War was a “clean” war without atrocities? Not by a long shot! I will even go further to say that justice needs to be done to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in these conflicts. Like justice is needed for all the victims of all conflicts. How far do we want to go? Dresden, Hiroshima, Spain, Sumatra, Belgian Congo, Indonesia, Algeria, Biafra, Soweto, Iraq, Kurdistan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Namibia, Wounded Knee?
Justice isn’t just an ideal to some; Rwandans more than anybody else want it. Not as Trojan Horse carefully crafted to destabilize us, but as a genuine exercise in truth and accountability for the benefit of all parties involved. For now, we say thanks for the gift of justice, but no thanks.
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People people. Lets cool down and remember these are allegations if PROVED in a court of law could mean the RPF committed genocide. They may NEVER be proved so let's all cool down and work for the development of Rwanda. And Ms Anonymous the sweeping statements you make about Tutsis are very unwelcome in a society that is still trying to live with what happened among brothers and sisters. Lets not break these fragile bonds created by arising suspicion among our own by such sweeping and utterly unnecessary statements. Please do come back home and see the efforts the people on the ground are making to live happily with each other and dont ignite hatred while you are far away and safe from those who could suffer the results of such careless talk.
Rwandans are many...lets not differentiate between Tutsis and Hutus and Twas...and the statistics..these are just peg-names which shouldnt divide us. They did once but let's not allow them do so again.
As Albert wrote some time back in another fora...we can forgive but let us not forget...we willforgive all teh perpetrators because not to do so will embitter us and enslave us to such ideologies, but we will not forget what brought about such hatred for each other and we will struggle daily to eliminate any attempt to re ignite this hatred. Its a daily struggle. We are all Rwandans.
About the constitution, any country has a platform within which they can amend a constitution. So if Prof Filip's constitution is no longer relevant, the govt can set in motion the ball to ammend it. Character assasination wont help. Filip already has his name in our history books and we cant change that. Its history. Work on the future!!!
All said,Kagame is a great leader but is also human. At this point, his greatness still outshines his faults. The people have given him another term to serve them. Give him a chance to do so. He should always remember: With great power comes great responsibiliies!!!
Dear @home,
Thank you for your wise words. Let me take this opportunity to point out that I regularly travel to Rwanda therefore I am not far away of what's going in Rwanda as you presumed. I have relatives and friends in Rwanda; I was born and grew up in Rwanda. In fact I spent most of my life in Rwanda. More than Faustin Kagame (spent in his native Ruhengeri) who is pretending to give me lessons on Rwanda of today. That's what me I call ideology: To impose on me the ideals and ideas of his Rwandan Patriotic Army's vision and point of views.
I was in Rwanda before and after 1994, I witnessed what happened while Faustin was safely and comfortably talking from Switzerland. Today here he is again denying the deaths of hundreds of thousands his rwandans compatriots. I am not asking him for any compassion, far from that but as an intellectual he should stop telling lies or at least abstaining denying what we witnessed while he was safely and comfortably in Kigali,.
While I accept and welcome different opinions I equally condemn such brilliant people like Faustin Kagame and Albert Rudatsimbwa who intentionally mislead readers for their ideological purpose.
To come across such denials and lies is inhuman and cynical to hundreds of thousands if not millions of people like me who witnessed horrible crimes and killings of our entire families and beloved ones at the hands of their Rwandan Patriotic Army inside and outside Rwanda. I find difficult to move but for the sack of the country we accept it. But I cannot accept people denying that these crimes did not take place. For that we will fight tooth and nails for the truth to be known in the memory of our beloved ones.
How can we talk about reconciliation in the country where only one part of the population can 'claim' justice while another part cannot moan their beloved ones let alone claim for justice. How can we be asked to move on when people are still being indicted by the same people who committed against them are denying them justice and dignity. How can we be talking about accountability in a country where those preaching accountability are not accountable for crimes they committed or are committing. Understandably the current regime being responsible for very serious crimes of human rights and democracy it's quite normal that no serious investigations or accountability can take place instead they are using any means at their disposal to try to silent it. In the likes of Faustin Kagame and Albert Rudatsimbwa, we are witnessing the Rwandan Patriotic Army’s PR machine creating a smoke screen to divert the attention. So far the machine has successfully managed to buy time and to keep those hideous crimes hidden to the rest of the world although well known to Rwandans and other well informed foreigners. They can hide them but they cannot run away from them. Whatever successes rightly or wrongly attributed to Paul Kagame, only history will tell. But for many in our region he will mainly be remembered for innocent children, women and elderly he massacred across Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Where is character assassination of a scholar like Mr. Rintjens, when people talk about his previous work? How a scholar like Mr. Rintjens can be really understood in a debate on Rwanda, if people are not aware he is one of the promoters of the one-party constitution with which the MRND regime ruled our country? Do you think that could be considered a personal issue, dear @home? A matter belonging to his private life? Someone talked about his private life at all? The answer is a big NO.
I agree with you, Rwandans should turn their back to all irrational identity manipulations and consider themselves just Rwandans. I don't know if M.Rintjens has already his name in our history books as you say, apart from the ones he wrote himself, but history is about recording facts and deeds. Not about dropping embarrassing but relevant realities. Especially if the character pretending to be "assassinated" is as controversial and a polemist as Mr. Rintjens is. One fact in this debate is remarkable. He did not deny his role in the promotion of the MNRD one-party constitution. He just tried to cover himself behind false accusations of "character assassination". Very meaningful isn't it?
The character assasination i am talking about is all round. i am neither blaming nor pointing fingers.Filip started it with his opening line.....in trying to belittle what Albert wrote. And you are being pulled in it by trying to belittle his contribution. His work is in our history books.Period..good or bad. His contribution to the history of Rwanda will always remain...and everyone has his opinion on whether it was good or bad. So lets change the constitution to represent more what we want.let's shape the future. Lets put all our efforts in disproving the report if need be and if it ever comes to it.
Let us record that Filip helped write the one party constitution and then we agreed to change it to a multi party constitution. That is history and no one is denying it.
Words of wisdom. Thank you dear @home.
People people. Lets cool down and remember these are allegations if PROVED in a court of law could mean the RPF committed genocide. They may NEVER be proved so let's all cool down and work for the development of Rwanda. And Ms Anonymous the sweeping statements you make about Tutsis are very unwelcome in a society that is still trying to live with what happened among brothers and sisters. Lets not break these fragile bonds created by arising suspicion among our own by such sweeping and utterly unnecessary statements. Please do come back home and see the efforts the people on the ground are making to live happily with each other and dont ignite hatred while you are far away and safe from those who could suffer the results of such careless talk.
Rwandans are many...lets not differentiate between Tutsis and Hutus and Twas...and the statistics..these are just peg-names which shouldnt divide us. They did once but let's not allow them do so again.
As Albert wrote some time back in another fora...we can forgive but let us not forget...we willforgive all teh perpetrators because not to do so will embitter us and enslave us to such ideologies, but we will not forget what brought about such hatred for each other and we will struggle daily to eliminate any attempt to re ignite this hatred. Its a daily struggle. We are all Rwandans.
About the constitution, any country has a platform within which they can amend a constitution. So if Prof Filip's constitution is no longer relevant, the govt can set in motion the ball to ammend it. Character assasination wont help. Filip already has his name in our history books and we cant change that. Its history. Work on the future!!!
All said,Kagame is a great leader but is also human. At this point, his greatness still outshines his faults. The people have given him another term to serve them. Give him a chance to do so. He should always remember: With great power comes great responsibiliies!!!
People people. Lets cool down and remember these are allegations if PROVED in a court of law could mean the RPF committed genocide. They may NEVER be proved so let's all cool down and work for the development of Rwanda. And Ms Anonymous the sweeping statements you make about Tutsis are very unwelcome in a society that is still trying to live with what happened among brothers and sisters. Lets not break these fragile bonds created by arising suspicion among our own by such sweeping and utterly unnecessary statements. Please do come back home and see the efforts the people on the ground are making to live happily with each other and dont ignite hatred while you are far away and safe from those who could suffer the results of such careless talk.
Rwandans are many...lets not differentiate between Tutsis and Hutus and Twas...and the statistics..these are just peg-names which shouldnt divide us. They did once but let's not allow them do so again.
As Albert wrote some time back in another fora...we can forgive but let us not forget...we willforgive all teh perpetrators because not to do so will embitter us and enslave us to such ideologies, but we will not forget what brought about such hatred for each other and we will struggle daily to eliminate any attempt to re ignite this hatred. Its a daily struggle. We are all Rwandans.
About the constitution, any country has a platform within which they can amend a constitution. So if Prof Filip's constitution is no longer relevant, the govt can set in motion the ball to ammend it. Character assasination wont help. Filip already has his name in our history books and we cant change that. Its history. Work on the future!!!
All said,Kagame is a great leader but is also human. At this point, his greatness still outshines his faults. The people have given him another term to serve them. Give him a chance to do so. He should always remember: With great power comes great responsibiliies!!!
Several investigations by intellectuals, Human Rights investigators, ICTR, UN Prosecutors Carla Del Ponte, Judge Andreu of Spain’s National Court, French anti-terrorist Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière, renown journalists, all provide cause to re-evaluate some of the acknowledged ideas about the 1994 events. Some few individuals tend to think that they are smarter than everybody. The truth of the matter is that when two sides face each other, the winner kills most. Take an example of a boxing bout, the winner delivers more blows. That means that Kagame killed more than the Hutus. Let us go with factual figures: Rwanda’s total population census in 1991 was 7,099,844. If we calculate in simple mathematics 7,099,844 x 8.4% (Tutsi) will equal to 596,387 in 1991.
If that is the truth, it means the Hutus whipped away the entire Tutsi tribe with handsome of Hutus? Can we not agree that the Tutsis killed more Hutus, in order to erase any potential claimants in future so that they [Tutsis] can enjoy the properties they did not have before?
The most agreed view to all political analysis is that make sure there should be no body settling of scores all young promising Hutus so that there is assurance of ruling for some years without any internal and external threat. Kagame his exponents they have managed the art of killing but the truth will soon catch-up with the lies.
I think that Tutsis are more brutal and canning than we can imagine
Mr. Anonymous
I'm sure you are very excited by what you just produced. There is such a time in the development of a child when watching, smelling (and sometimes taste) their own faeces offer similar kind of satisfaction. You remind me of another guy who calculated the number of trains, the quantity of fuel etc... , necessary to transport 6 million Jews to death camps and concluded gas chambers were mere inventions. Poor thing.
Mr. Anonymous,
Thank you for reminding everyone that the topic is, "the ALLEGATIONS of crimes of genocide". I think you'd better wait until allegations cease to be allegations to celebrate or wish me “good luck”. Civilian victims killed in the war to free our compatriots from the grip of genocide perpetrators using them as human shields, did not perish because they were Hutu, they perished because they were held hostage by rogue killers. The responsibility for their death lies on the side of the hostage holders, not on RPF soldiers who did well to repatriate 3 million of our compatriots in order to reconstruct our beloved country. On a smaller scale, a recent event shows how delicate it is to free hostages from armed groups holding them. Just some days ago, a British lady taken hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan was victim of friendly fire. Who ever thought to say she was killed by her American and British rescuers? Mr. Anonymous, everybody knows you and people like Rintjens are trying to design a second genocide on reports. Do you really think Rwandans need foreign NGOs or a one-party constitution promoter from Belgium to learn what happened in their country? Your ideological dependancy will always be a problem for Africa. The Rwandan army in DRC took the responsability to act instead of doing what the UN is still doing nowadays: watch ex-FAR, Interahamwe and their present version (FDLR) kill and rape with unlimited impunity. The Rwandan army was then integrated with full Rwandan soldiers Hutu and Tutsi all together, not like your primitive tribal militiamen who killed both Tutsi and moderate Hutu indiscriminately. The enemy of Hutu is not Tutsi or vice-versa. The enemy of our country is ethnic racism still being promoted in your circles under the patronage of corrupt professors. Your “wait-and-see” declarations won’t help. The future belongs to Rwandans building their country here and now. Not to losers counting on reports and propaganda while running after history. UN people, NGOs and foreign journalists were all over during the so-called “genocide” in THE DRC 15 years ago. A genocide is not something you can miss seeing. Are those people going to investigate on FDLR present crimes 15 years from now? Pitiful.
Faustin,
Thank you for going to the point. I am sorry for exposing your tactics of trying to twist the truth. Again you have clearly showed that lack of respect of millions of children, women and elderlies unarmed civilians massively executed in what you call "to free hostages". The world witness that when the Rwandan Patriotic Army, you have always supported and defended, went to “free” your so called "hostages" in Kibeho. Indeed that the freedom that the RPA brought to Rwanda and Rwandans. That’s the freedom that Rwandans are witnessing inside and outside Rwanda.
Whatever name you give to hide or try to misguide the readers, those mass murders of unarmed civilians by your Rwandan Patriotic Army will come to haunt your leadership whether you like or not. I am not celebrating anything I am not the kind of prematurely celebrating "itsinzi". The time for celebration will come. This is an on-going process and history will tell. It's very interesting how lightly you are taking this UN report. Call it lies or whatever you want but the evidences are there and time will come when people responsible of those atrocities will be accountable whatever explanations or heroic acts you call those atrocities.
Kagame and his government tried to silent or dilute the UN report but they fail. I am afraid your literature has no weight and will change nothing. The truth is like water; if you try to stop it will always find a way around, gain strength and become very destructive. I am confident time will come and many more atrocities committed by your army will be revealed responsible brought to justice, then I will rightly celebrate. Once again good luck in your quest to try distort the truth.
I see! “The time of celebration will come", better days are ahead, the truth is on your side, history is yours and a messiah is maybe coming soon... a prophet of your own has told you so!
Going back to reality now. I'm I taking this UN report very lightly as you say? Yes I am. Get out of that ideological prison you're stuck in and you'll meet a lot of people who feel the same about this incredibly politicized report. It is interesting and meaningful to see how you seem impressed by a UN report telling you "the truth" about your own history. Now, as the debate turns out to be about the promised land of your future celebrations, let me get back to present times all by myself.
PS. I liked this piece of .... whatever you call it....: "The truth is like water; if you try to stop it will always find a way around, gain strength and become very destructive"...
Don't worry dear Anonymus. I dig your point. I was a keen listener of Radio RTLM during the genocide. No one has any doubt about the destructive strength of your "TRUTH". Funny how you even can't hide your real face when trying to sound normal.
Thanx so much Albert for your brilliant analysis. First time I saw Filip Rintjens was in Geneva, Switzerland, by the end of October 1990 I think. He was touring the world together with some other Habyarimana's regime dignitaries, trying to give a good image of a one-party racist dictatorship. Something in line with his previous job as a member of the team which drafted the one party constitution for the regime that ended up perpetrating the genocide. That's part of his record as an advocate for democracy in Rwanda. It would be absurd to discuss Rwandan matters with Mr. Rintjens without having those defining references in mind.
Once again I do not see contribution made by Faustin Kagame on the current topic, if I may remind you, which is the the allegations of crimes of Genocide Committed by Paul Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Army.
Mr Faustin Kagame, you were very vocal in Switzerland and a supporter of the Rwandan Patriotic Army against the previous "racist dictatorship" now you have become voiceless by joining as a dignitary and advisor to the current "multi party racist dictatorship" of Paul Kagame.
Mr Faustin Kagame speaks when tutsi were being killed and he is completely silent when hutus are being killed and he has the courage to call others racist. That’s the kind of so called “intellectuals” that are currently leading in Kigali. I call that intellectual hypocrisy. We are talking here about crimes committed by the Rwandan Patriotic Army and the answer of Faustin Kagame and Rudatsimbwa to that is a character assassination of Prof Reyjnts. Another attempt to turn the attention away from the very serious allegations of Crime of Genocide their (Rudatsimbwa and Kagame) army is accused of. They are wrong and this will not go go away. It will take time but make no mistake it will not go away this time. Instead you should brace yourself for many more truth to come in the future. Kibeho and others. Good luck.
Rudatsimbwa’s article clear shows his intention to divert the reader attention from the allegations of criminal acts of Genocide committed by Rwandan Patriotic Army as reported by the UN. To do that he has used the traditional methods always used by Kagame and his supporters of “killing the messenger” in this case by trying to tarnish the image and the person of Prof Reyntjens.
The fact that Prof Reyntjens has not been to Rwanda for the last 18 years is irrelevant to the very the serious allegations of Genocide committed by Paul Kagame and his Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) in DR Congo.
Since the leak of the UN report, the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) propaganda (PR) machine has switched to full power, attacking individuals and organisations that denounce the RPA criminal doing.
Due to the unconditional support of the westerns superpowers like UK and USA, to name only those, Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) have enjoyed political and media support and become unaccountable to anyone but only to themselves. The RPA's cronies have become so arrogant and have systematically been attacking throughout the world respectable individuals, academics, politicians and even private persons who tried to shade some light and truth on crimes committed by Kagame and the RPA (Rwandan Patriotic Army).
Ironically Rudatsimbwa went on record to criticised Prof Reyntjens for his great contribution to the Rwandan Constitution. Let me take this opportunity to remind Rudatsimbwa the current constitution is a result of a few alterations of a great and solid plate form that Prof Reyntjens can proudly claim to have contribute for my country. I am waiting to read the great contributions of yours Mr Rudatsimbwa.
If denial is science, Kagame has collected so many Doctor Honoris Causa titles in denying crimes he has committed inside and outside Rwanda. The Rwandan Patriotic Front produces such pedigree of excellent and talented lecturers in the science of lie of the likes of Rudatsimbwa. They are so good at turning fact into fictions by calling them fabrications or simply denying them. That’s what Kagame and Rwandan Patriotic Army are doing with this UN report: Denying the report.
I am neither suddened much by Filip, nor his demonic spirit which is still albeit miserably trying to find its playground in the midst of african new children, i.e. not the old africa of hope but the Africa which more than ever knows its path and proud of itself...the poor guy has another 10 to 15 years to live if he is lucky enough.
Rather, what saddens me most is that there is still a large number of "Filip-like" in the western society, who got dupped by their own naivety that somehow the paradigm of viewing Africa as their arse licker in a strongly sustained and associated image of that Africa which will remain forever the source of their free-lunch.
The truth of the matter is that Africa is awakening, "Filip-like" minded bigots are fading and quite badly. So let's count down years til we see a truly liberated africa, when the bigots will be buried down deep into history.
Hey btw Filip, your soul and mind know it well that you need to go back to the school bench and let Africans tell you what Africa is all about. Good luck!
talking about double standard....why if there is any justice in this world, why Filip Rytnjens is today free, i mean what he did is out there in writtings and well documented, why is he free ? why the UN is not following him or people like him ? there is no justice in this world but i know that deep inside his conscience he knows and that is what matters
Filip, you did alot to dehumanise Rwandan tutsis a recognised step in genocide preparation. Unfortunately, people have died in inevitable wars that you created by your hate for tutsis! You should hold your head in same old man!!!!
Never again old man! ur era of shame is over!!!! Africans are awake!
Tharcisse
Albert, proud of your response to barking dogs... the saine debate that follows against all odds.
See how, no UN report can retrict to analyse, react and determine our destiny. UN doesn't replace self determination of a nation. Let live our victories and challenges.
@ Filip and friends, it's more than time to clean and desinfect your soul, time to shut-up! We have understood that Nostalgy and post trauma over a a healthy, Africa motivate your actions. Revise lessons onl scientific and ethical methology. And know that facts and people memory is one of the best tool against shameless historians, revisionists and manipulated media.....
@ all europeans, to UN , rationalizing their failure in the field and to other leaders masterminds of Africa misery... When will you raise the bar and play the noble role you set yourself up and really be solidaire of African strong and positive forces and stop feed the negative ones.... Know that we are are tired of paternalist speeches.
@ Human rights activists, Peace is not an instrument for aid funds or bargaining tools for to donors. Iinsane speculation doesn't pay on the long term! Know that for all of us "The end justifies the means"....
Many thanks Albert: you rest our case!
@Filip Reyntjens - So you reckon Rudatsimburwa's comments not worthy? I would understand the arrogance in this view because for a long time, people like you were thought to be the only spokespeople for Rwanda and the region - but fortunately you become more irrelevant every day. It's incredible how you insist on an end to impunity when you are allied to numerous suspected genocide perpetrators in Europe and your countries have protected them for 16 years now. You can get as academic as you want about genocide, justice and impunity but the fact is, while Rwanda is working out its problems, led by the so-called "Kigali Regime" (at least Rwanda has a "Regime"), you have given safe haven and comfort to genocidaires who are living comfortably in your communities. Good luck dealing with that.
He not only wrote the constitution but many other laws. He designed the legal framework for a racist and murderous regime.
Reyntjens is haunted by the demons of the genocidaires he supported and continues to support. Poor old man, you are fighting a lost battle. You succeeded in dividing Rwandese by that time, but you need to update your thinking. Can't you see that it will never happen again? I wish you live some years to witness how Rwandese win the evil you represent.
Filip is carefully dodging the issue. Did you write the constitution that empowered Habariy to murder the Tutsis? And did you sit smog in your comfortable leather arm chair as you watched them set Tutsis on fire as the give expression the provisions of that constitution?
@Albert
Belgian Congo was not a conflict, Congolese didn't fight the Belgians, the belgians just went in and simply killed thousands and thousands of Congolese people in the name of Leopord, Filip never talks about this genocide....by the way there wasn't Congo by then some parts of Rwanda were unjustly included in this vast Leopord king of Belgique private property where he savagely murdered thousands maybe millions of African people ....and we don't hear a UN mapping team about this
@ Filip
do you sleep at night knowing that you helped decimating 1 millions people? did you know these people , there had parents, childrens, they wanted to go to school, they wanted a good and peacefull life .....and through your actions those who survived live in misery, orphaned, sadness and are traumatised ......do you eat and sleep knowing all these facts? does your conscience functions normally ?
Thanks Albert,
Filip, you can't start by saying:"Mr Albert Rudatsimburwa's comment isn't really worth a ...comment."
Then talk about "Character assassination"....hummm
So in short you can do it but no one else can, is that so?
I am really interested to know about the fact that you(Filip) drafted the Rwandan Constitution of the Habyarimana era? Is that true?
Annet
Ok let me top up on character assassination. Imagine who’s talking now. I could read Goebbels commenting on how the Allies in 1945 should not take credit for stopping the Holocaust because they bombarded Dresden or because their soldiers assassinated German civilians during the liberation war.
Of course civilians lost their lives during the war against the genocide and especially because that particular genocide against the Tutsi was also perpetrated by civilians. It was a TOTAL genocide dragging a maximum of population into the abyss of madness to exterminate “their brothers and sisters”. The authorities who organized and masterminded the Genocide in Rwanda had been nurtured by the Constitution written by Philip Reyntjes.
well said Rudatsimburwa, tell them!!!!
@Filipe Rytnjens
Kagame said something during a ceremony, he said that dogs barks can't stop a train, in French it translates that les chiens aboient mais il ne peuvent pas arreter le train ....... so the train to real independence in Africa has started and no matter what you do, no matter how many reports , you won't be able to stop it. you will die sad seing it leaving and your heart will break but that is how it is. colonial era has finished
Mr Albert Rudatsimburwa's comment isn't really worth a ...comment. As usual with the Kigali regime, he does not go into sustance but rather engages in character assassination. When will the RPF finally come to terms with the fact that it has killed tens of thousands of its own (civilian and unarmed) citizens in Rwanda in 1994, in the DRC in 1996-97 and again in Rwanda in 1997-98? These crimes have been extensively documented, and it is about time that impunity, based on the genocide credit, ends.
Filip Reyntjens
Mr Reyntjens,
Will you please shed some light on issues raised regarding you you drafting the old rwandan constitution (to which, for those who don't know, your name is proudly signed even todate).
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