Oscar Kimanuka
9 August 2008
opinion
Nairobi — The recent report by an independent commission of inquiry into the role of France in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda has not only raised disturbing questions about French complicity in the tragedy, but also left a huge dent in the image of the French government.
It shows that while certain French politicians, diplomats and military leaders were complicit in the genocide, the French authorities abetted the gruesome events.
This was done through training of Hutu militias as well as laying strategy for Rwanda's armed forces.
The report further shows how training and funding was provided to Rwandan intelligence services on how to establish a database that would later be used as a "kill list" of the Tutsi.
Operation Turquoise, a French military intervention force that was sent to Rwanda in June 1994, ostensibly for humanitarian reasons and with the full backing of the United Nations Security Council, is said to protected some of the leaders of the genocide and eventually assisted them to flee arrest.
WHILE THE FRENCH GOVERNment dismissed the findings as "unacceptable accusations," the commission has clarified facts that were known at the time and should spur the international community and other interested parties not just to know the truth about the allegations of the French involvement but to hold all those involved accountable.
THE REPORT NAMES 13 SENior French politicians and 20 military officials as responsible and raises "the prospect of Rwandan legal action against them."
There are lessons here. One is that there exists in some circles in the West, a deep neo-colonial hangover and utter disregard for the lives of Africans.
Secondly, France must begin to put its act together and come to terms with what happened in Rwanda. They must accept the trial of all those mentioned in the report for the sake of establishing the truth.
Finally, there must be a clear and unequivocal apology from France for its shameful complicity in the genocide.
Given the important role of France in humanity's quest for liberty, equality and fraternity, one would expect that this will be possible. But time alone will tell.
Oscar Kimanuka is a commentator on social and economic issues based in Kigali.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The East African. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
