The Arab world can learn from Rwanda’s experience

One can’t help but feel for the good people of Syria, Egypt, Libya and other Arab countries in turmoil similar to that of Syria, in the name of a ‘democratisation process’ called the Arab Spring.That the world is stratified is in doubt only to someone who is deaf and blind to the world history and current events. Historically, Africa has been called (and is still called privately in some circles) the Dark Continent. We have always been at the bottom of the pecking order. Some have presumed that we have no history, culture, science, et al. This was the ‘justification’ for colonialism and slave trade- to ‘civilize’ us.It was and in some cases, it still is presumed that we are at the bottom of the rung on just about everything: governance, democracy, economy, social development, you name it. How else do you explain the fact that just about every ‘development’ programme we have comes from out of the continent. I submit that we are mostly to blame for this state of events. First, we love imports. We import everything; we have even imported terrorism (how else can we explain Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda of the Maghreb?) Secondly, we Africans and black people, the world over are guilty of refusing to think for ourselves. How many times do you have this or that African country waiting for ‘international community’ to intervene in every situation; big or small? Be it providing mosquito nets to prevent malaria, hand washing campaigns, or a ceasefire to stop some needless war that resulted from the rulers refusing to engage the ruled.Third, I hold the premise that there are just too many countries in Africa. As the second largest continent, Africa is just below three quarters the size of Asia and at 30,065,000 sq km, only slightly bigger than North America (24,256,000 sq km). Africa’s population (1,022,234,000) is only about ¼ of that of Asia (4,165,252,000) and only above Europe’s (738,199,000. One Asian country India’s population equals that of Africa. One wonders what our excuse is for having the highest number of countries. We have 54 compared to Europe’s 47. Asia’s 44 and North America’s 23 and South America’s 12. The only logical result from all this would be division and weakness.In spite of all these however, there is a lot to be proud of. We produce, if by proxy sometimes, some of the world’s best sportsmen and musicians (we are not rhythmically challenged like you know who). We have also beaten the other races, apart from the Caucasians, in the world’s only super power. The current American President is the first non-white to rule that country…and he has traceable roots in Africa. As a matter of fact, the rest of the world, especially, the Arab world can learn some things from Africa, and this includes our beloved Rwanda. Live and let live: Reconciliation is a principle that has enabled Rwandans to live together after one of the world’s worst tragedies…the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. How else can a country survive and thrive after extermination of one million of its citizens?Separate religion from politics: over 90% of Arabs are Muslims. Islam is thus presumed to be a uniting factor. It should be too, but it is not. Political Islam has been particularly a destructive force to even its own proponents. Sudan’s Hassan Al Turabi has been one of the key proponents of political Islam. Not only did it bring him down…it also broke up Africa’s largest country. There is no way you use religious codes and dictates as a penal code. Most of the time interpretation in scriptures vary with circumstances and the interpreters themselves. Even in situations where people share the same creed it is tough. It only gets tougher when other religions and sects are added to the mix. The best option is to leave heavenly matters in heaven and deal with earthly matters in very earthly ways. Instead of the religious avenue, a re-invigorated and renewed neo- Ba’athist (renaissance) movement may be a better way to go. Ba’athism has ideology and advocates unity without exclusion. And inclusion is what the Arab world needs now.Let us pray for peace and reason to return to Syria and the other lands of Abraham’s descendants. .Sam Kebongo is an Entrepreneurship Development Consultant based in Kigali.