Mending broken ties, letting justice hold sway

Considering Rwanda’s past history, its current developments and its future goals, having sour relations with other countries is not an option since peace and reconciliation are among the country’s priority goals. Today, Erhard Rex- the German State Prosecutor of Schleswig-Holstein, is a guest in the country for two days in a bid towards strengthening bilateral ties with the Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA). This comes at a time when Rwanda as a state is moving forward, resolving unsettled issues with other states and as a whole finding rest. When last year in November, Rose Kabuye Rwanda’s Director of State Protocol, got arrested in Germany, nothing much was really desirable on the magnitude of betrayal that Rwanda felt. Her arrest was apparently premised on the baseless claims of a former French Judge Jean Louis Bruguiere. However, the fact that Bruguiere’s case is crumbling, there seems to be no reason for Germany and Rwanda not to make up and continue with friendly diplomatic relations. This sounds all rosy and inspiring…but just for a moment. Hard reality keeps popping up. The reason for the 1994 bloodshed are still walking and enjoying sweet freedom in Europe- Germany inclusive! This for sure is beyond one man’s hands but at least it takes one step at a time to make a million steps. Justice is what Rwandans want. Prosecutor Rex can play a big part in this. The fact that Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of the murderous DRC based FDLR, together with other Genocide masterminds and perpetrators are still walking free is unacceptable. Sadly, the scenario of plunder, rape, and killings is repeating itself being carried out with impunity by the same negative forces responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Those European countries that still have Genocide fugitives on their soil, have the challenge of ending this culture of impunity, prosecute these people or send them back home to face justice. We hope this is the message Prosecutor Rex will take back home. Ends

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Mending broken ties, letting justice hold sway