Nairobi — Over the past decade, the government of Rwanda has been on a difficult task of rebuilding the country, torn apart by years of conflict that peaked in 1994 with a complete breakdown of infrastructure and massive displacement of a highly polarised population. With support from church organisations and civil society, the government is now beginning to see light along the path towards reconciliation and development, reports Geoffrey H. Kaiza

Through a government of national unity, Rwanda, with some support from the international community, has registered progress in moving from a state of emergency to long-term development.

After the tragic 1994 genocide, the first challenge that the government faced was to stabilise the country and create conditions that would enable the whole population enjoy peace and security.

At an interview with AANA recently, Rev André Mfitumukiza, an ordained priest in the Baptist Church of Rwanda, said that developmental programmes initiated by the government and coalition of religious organisations, were designed in a way that would bring Bahutu and Batutsi ethnic communities in common efforts to heal wounds.

Rev Mfitumukiza is also the director of African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALRM) based in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

He recalls that, shortly after the genocide of 1994, hatred, discrimination, and other vices, penetrated into the Church. The most affected churches included the Free Methodist Church, United Baptist Church, and Pentecostal Church.

"It was worrying that in a number of parishes, church leaders who survived the massacres and those who had just returned home from the Diaspora, kept fighting for leadership positions," he says.

"Today, we are witnessing a growing sensibility and perception of the specificity of the other. An attitude of openness to [the other] has been a keynote at all levels , religious, political and tribal," Rev.

Mfitumukiza points out.

About three-and-a half million Rwandese refugees have been repatriated and resettled. This is a phenomenal repatriation record in world history.

The process of reintegration of refugees and members of former government army (ex-Far) has further promoted reconciliation. Close to 15,000 ex-Far soldiers have been integrated into the national army, Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA), at various levels.

In promoting harmony, a unity and reconciliation commission was established to consolidate government policy of redressing the legacy of divisive politics, that has been a prominent feature in Rwanda for many decades.

The commission continues to raise public awareness through civic education initiatives (ingando). Furthermore, there has been extensive dialogue under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, touching on unity and reconciliation, justice, democratisation, security and economy.

Many are those who believe that accepting differences and taking them seriously may not be easy. A basic feeling of fear of the 'other' needs to be overcome.

Rev Mfitumukiza is convinced that, accepted with an open mind, the other ceases to be a menace to one's own self. On the contrary, he or she becomes an essential factor of one's identity.

"I believe, there is a mutual fulfilment in a true intercultural and interfaith encounter," notes Rev. Mfitumukiza.

According to the priest, the government and the Church in Rwanda have laid emphasis on specific areas in their contribution to reconciliation processes.

For example, the government has made progress in building a justice system from scratch. Trials have taken place to bring to justice, genocide suspects. Currently, there are over 120,000 genocide suspects in overcrowded prisons.

More than 10 percent of these have either been convicted or acquitted.

About 12 million Rwanda Francs (US$ 27,000) are spent annually on prisons.

To deal with this caseload expeditiously, the government has initiated a participatory form of justice (Gacaca) that draws from the experience of traditional pre-colonial Rwandan society, where councils of elders would handle cases at community levels.

A human rights commission has been established to promote the rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

A legal and constitutional commission has been established to consult all Rwandese citizens on what kind of constitution the country should have at the end of the transitional period in December 2003.

Transparency and accountability within government institutions have been identified and promoted as critical ingredients necessary for effective and efficient government.

Security has been restored in all the 12 administrative prefectures of Rwanda. Ironically, this is a peace dividend from Rwanda's involvement in the DRC rebel saga.

The presence of RPA troops in eastern DRC has enabled Rwanda to flash out genocide perpetrators and pockets of rebels that hitherto launched attacks from the area.

The Church has also gained progress. Intermarriages between different ethnic groups are being encouraged and the faithful respond to it favourably.

Children born from such intermarriages are more open to other communities and build bridges of partnership between the two ethnic groups (Bahutu and Batutsi).

In most parishes, it has been advisable to promote occasions of encounter between different ethnic groups through celebrations.

Activities of this kind are offering each ethnic group a chance of presenting their own customs, jokes, music and wisdom, to enhance mutual knowledge, appreciation and tolerance.

Rev Mfitumukiza says it is important not to ignore the multi-ethnicity of Christian communities. He explains that the Church presents opportunities that can strengthen relationships between different groups, and encourage them to share and appreciate each other.

According to him, this needs intensification of church activities that transcend social, religious and cultural boundaries, and promote unity and fellowship.

As the people of Rwanda look forward to general elections scheduled for December this year under a new Constitution, it is hoped by many that measures will need to be taken to ensure that people of new generations will never again use their ethnicity or social status to victimise others.

"Thank God, we are now moving from hostility to fellowship. Today, we either learn to live together or perish," concludes Rev. Mfitumukiza.