For a few days now, social media has been awash with comments specifically targeting South Sudanese youth, including violent and obviously prejudicial slurs. The comments are particularly characterising these youths, mostly in Rwanda for studies, as violent and unruly with some going as far as pandering to xenophobia. Although this was not welcomed by many, it shows some individuals have not understood that Rwanda’s diversity knows no bounds and that in fact, unity is the foundation on which the country is built. Among those to condemn this kind of behaviour was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe who said that violence has no place in our society, and that recent comments targeting the South Sudanese community are not in line with our values as Rwandans. ALSO READ: There's a need to teach young Rwandans dangers of hate ideology This cannot be better put. Rwanda’s history includes a chapter where the country suffers the worst effects of divisionism. This informs the spirit that there simply is not any case where this would be justifiable, even when the people involved are of different nationalities. Young people should be taught about the dangers of otherness, especially prejudicial and stereotypical. It starts off as just that, but the cost is too high. Crimes committed should be reported to the right institutions and dealt with legally. ALSO READ: The fight against online violence is a collective undertaking Inciting hate against a specific people has no place in Rwanda today or tomorrow. Our hospitality should reflect the remarkably diverse society we have built over the years. Happy New Year!
