EDITORIAL: Never losing hope is what keeps Rwanda moving

The leaders of two countries that share a similar tragic history yesterday paid their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. While the Holocaust took the lives of six million Jews in just four years, one million people were killed in only three months during the Genocide in Rwanda. That is an indication that the art of extermination was perfected in the 50 years that separated both atrocities; the killing machine was well-oiled and genocide ideology perfected to the letter. The message that came from the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre was that the danger for a repeat was still there and no one would help avert it but ourselves. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was categorical in that effect: he said that we could not afford to outsource our safety and security. While we can build capacities to protect ourselves, the biggest danger is denial and impunity where many countries are still reluctant to bring Genocide suspects to book. But at least the ice is starting to break, however slowly and late in coming. Three days ago, a Dutch court approved the extradition of two Rwandan genocide suspects; one of the few European countries that have began to take the Genocide seriously. While Netanyahu was airborne after his visit to Rwanda, a French court sentenced two other Rwandans involved in the Genocide to life in prison. “We both persevered, despite the pain, despite the horror. We survived, we never lost hope,” Netanyahu said describing the two peoples. The Israeli PM could not have described it any better; hope and resilience is what drives us to strive.

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EDITORIAL: Never losing hope is what keeps Rwanda moving