just mind about your own government and let those who want to help Rwandans do their job.

http://rwandinfo.com/eng/speech-by-president-paul-kagame-of-rwanda-at-the-16th-commemoration-of-the-rwandan-genocide/

Your tirade against Ann is exactly what is wrong with today’s Rwandan government. Instead of talking about the issues raised by Ann, you are making personal attacks against her. If you think what Ann is saying is wrong, then let us know specifically which line in her article is wrong and why you think is wrong. The personal attacks, which are prevalent in Rwanda as evidenced recently by General Kagame the President of Rwanda are totally uncalled for. For those who do not know, the President of Rwanda insulted opposition politicians who are trying to register to run against him in the upcoming August 2010 presidential elections. General Kagame called them “hooligans.” When the person at the very top of the RPF leadership uses language like this that is not suitable for his high office, it suddenly makes it all clear why his followers like Alex go around making personal attacks instead of focusing on discussing the issues. The saddest part about it all is that when General Kagame made those personal attacks, it was on the 16th anniversary of the genocide. When he was supposed to be leading the nation in remembering the lost ones, and uniting the nation for the future, he instead used that opportunity to make personal political attacks against the opposition politicians. I feel so sad for my country.

Tu me fais honte. Why do you bring such a theory of boyfriend on this forum ? Again don`t bring sophism theory here because getting awards from some oragnisations doesn`t make Kagame a saint and rightous leader.Do you think we don`t know abaout political games ?? Come on !

As for what Mrs Ingabire was doing during the genocide, she was studying in the Netherlands. As for Ingabire speaking out against the genocide before this election, ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY YES!!!!!!! You just need to read a little more about her on her Wikipedia page (which is well-sourced) and you will see how many forums she has led or attended in her pursuit of peace, reconciliation, justice and democracy in Rwanda.

As for the Congo, I was not talking about 2009, I was talking about 2006.

As for Ingabire’s mom being wanted for genocide crimes, first of all, making such a statement implies a belief in collective punishment. You cannot blame someone for accused crimes allegedly committed by their brother, sister, father, mother, husband, wife. Every person should answer for their alleged crimes. Second, these allegations that the mother is accused of genocide have never surfaced until Ingabire started running for president. If you have not noticed, these allegations claim that she was sentenced in absentia but never ever have they given the day, month and year when she was allegedly sentenced. Probably because this was all made up only after Ingabire made her candidacy public. The country where the mother lives has never received any arrest warrant against her from the Rwandan government. So, please let us be civilized and stop playing this collective punishment game. It is totally uncalled for.

I am an optimist and I know that lasting peace will come to African countries such as Rwanda, sooner or later. And I will do everything in my power to make it sooner rather than later. And I know I am not alone on this journey. And I really believe that Ingabire is genuinely trying to bring peace to Rwanda via true democracy, impartial justice, universal human rights and true reconciliation. That is why I, together with so many Rwandans are supporting her.

This is similar to what most people said ,” The US started the war in Iraq to take over it’s oil resources . I would like that know what they have to say now that the Oil contract in Iraq was won by companies that are not US based and are European .

I am interested in knowing what Mrs Ingibare was doing during the genocide and If she has even spoken against it before this election .

And you might also want to take note that It was the Congo govt that asked Rwanda to help with the army in January 2009 .
I think you guys need to get a grip and give peace a chance.
And in reference to what Angela is saying about Africans trying to bring peace to Africa . I hope that time will come sometime soon . However, If you were to look at history , It might never happen , they will fight each other and blame it on others.

As a Rwandan friend of mine put it, Sarkozy traded Habyarimana’s widow, and others no doubt soon to be extradited, for the riches of D.R. Congo.

When I read the post above woven with hateful postulations veiling revenge and evil in some places I was shocked and became defensive and afraid really.

I have sat and listened to Paul Russesabagina, I read articles as are posted above, I watch the banter on Facebook and in emails, I read so many books on the history and the politics and the testimonies of Rwanda and I have come to this conclusion… I love Rwanda because God has placed this love inside of me. I think it’s best that I stay the course He has set for me. Keep my voice and focus and heart for her orphans and let the politics to those who have the unction.

For those of you reading this who have been hurt by Rwanda’s past I beg you to go forward in forgiveness, wisdom, and love, acting for the best of Rwanda and her beautiful people. If that is impossible in your own strength then I encourage you to try Jesus.

I’m out. Jo

“When Kagame’s RPF first attacked Rwanda, everyone was wondering why America was supporting him. We did not have to wait too long to find out. Kagame won the war in 1994. Less than two years later, Rwanda’s army was in Congo (DRC) and since then Congo has gone from the French/Belgian sphere of influence straight to being exploited by USA/British companies. You should do a little bit of research about Congo (DRC)’s natural resources. You may be quite surprised.” –Angel, a Rwandan commenting on my Rwanda reporting posted to the San Francisco Bay View, National Black Newspaper

To your point about me not having been to Rwanda in a long time, you are right. I will not step foot there while the country is still ruled by the mass murderer General Kagame. I do however have lots of family members there that I talk to via phone and e-mail a few times per week. So, trust I know a lot of what is going on there.

About the minority enslaving the majority, it had nothing to do with the Belgians or the French. The minority enslaved the majority since around 1500. The first white person arrived in Rwanda in 1890. So, they just continued supporting a system that was already in place for centuries. They did not create that system.

Between 1973 and 1990, yes Rwanda was a one-party system. But in case you did not notice, so were like a hundred other countries in the world. It is one thing to have a one-party system. It is a totally different story to kill thousands of people. In case you did not notice, there were no mass killings in Rwanda between 1973 when Habyarimana took power and 1990 when the RPF war started.

Rwanda is indeed landlocked. It is however right next to Congo (DRC), a strategic location. When Kagame’s RPF first attacked Rwanda, everyone was wondering why America was supporting him. We did not have to wait too long to find out. Kagame won the war in 1994. Less than two years later, Rwanda’s army was in Congo (DRC) and since then Congo has gone from the French/Belgian sphere of influence straight to being exploited by USA/British companies. You should do a little bit of research about Congo (DRC)’s natural resources. You may be quite surprised.

You made a very important point about how it is up to us Africans to make our countries peaceful. This is exactly what Mrs Victoire Umuhoza Ingabire is doing. When Kagame and the RPF wanted to change things in Rwanda in 1990, they waged an armed war. A war that has since resulted into millions of dead in Rwanda and in Congo (DRC). Ingabire is trying to change things through peaceful non-violent democratic means. That’s why she should be lauded. For 50 years, there has never been peaceful transfer of power in Rwanda. She is trying to break that cycle to show that this is 2010 and we need to stop relying on the use of weapons to make political changes.