Editor,

Sympathy? what sympathy? Since the beginning of Rwanda’s rebirth, Rwandans have never asked for sympathy from anyone, if anyone did extend sympathy, they had their own reasons.

If ‘sympathy’ for Rwanda is ‘fading’ then let it be, because Rwandans have never asked for sympathy from anyone - we have since learnt that we cannot live on goodwill if we are to deliver ourselves from our painful past. Sympathy or no sympathy, Rwandans will move ahead. Rwandans will only fight for their rights and dignity.

But the author is not saying anything new in his opinion. He is just recycling what other anti-Rwanda crusaders have been saying. He is just recycling the same rhetoric to try and keep it oiled and relevant. He should know that people are tired of hearing the same stories over and over again

Name withheld on request

Editor,

While I vehemently disagree with the entire premise of the Globe and Mail correspondent, who is based in far away South Africa, what proved to be a huge eye-opener were the comments that were added at the end of the article. I found them to be extremely patronising and racist to boot. One comment read "Even at the best of times Africa is a land of tribalism, corruption, backwardness, brutality and rape on a horrific scale”!

No wonder Westerners think that we need their sympathy. It’s the manner in which publications, such as the Globe and Mail, decide to portray us. It’s a real shame.

Robert Kanyemera

Kanombe