History of Rwanda and of Stromae
Genocide Memorial Murabi
I am back in Kigali with Nausicaa’s parents, Anne Marie and Joseph from Chez Lando. I had a long conversation with Anne Marie about the situation of current Rwanda and the history of Rwanda. We discussed her family’s life story and later Joseph joined us. I told them about my journey for Exchangevzw and Benevolab BNP Paribas Fortis. They had to laugh with the chicken car ride from Rutsiro. It was a lovely evening with wine, I have become part of the family. As Anne Marie and Joseph, have become my Rwandan parents. Nausicaa is blessed with parents like that and off course they are blessed with Nausicaa. I am going to be sad to leave them. Anne Marie also had visitors, the aunt of Stromae. Nausicaa and Anne Marie are related to him. The aunt, the sister of Stromae late father looks exactly like him. I was surprised. No introduction was needed, I immediately recognised his face in her. I am not going to write out family details as the situation is very similar to what I went through with my mother 11 years ago and 4 years ago with my Nigerian siblings. Meeting close relatives for the first time in your life is very tough, emotional and painful. Especially when they look like you and remember you while you have no memory of such. On top of that distant family members of Stromae are abusing his name for personal gain which makes his situation even more difficult as he is a celebrity. I am excited for the concert but I hope that he gets to spend time with the family. He is on a very tight schedule and closed off by his entourage. Everyone is very careful and very sensitive. As this is his private story that should not be exploited by any journalist.
All this writing brought me back to my visit in i
Murabi was a school under construction before genocide. Genociders, priests and the French Army told Tutsi’s that they would be safe if they all came down the mountains to the school. The area is surrounded by hills. The school can be seen from any angle. When the hutsis were all brought to the school wether by free will or force, they were all slaughtered. 50,000 children and parents were killed in this school! Many of the bodies remained preserved due to the fertile soil. I saw rooms and rooms full of bodies. Some type of chalk was poured over the bodies to reduce the smell. Ten thousands of dead bodies all stacked into rooms. Babies laying on mother’s chest. You could see how they were killed. Skulls were bashed in. Small kids, mothers with the baby still on back slaughtered and still laying in the same position. Complete families murdered. It is horrible to see. Some bodies still had hair on their heads, that’s how good they were preserved by nature. A sign from God to never forget. Rooms full of clothing of victims. New clothes were stolen from the body. Only old rags were kept. Genociders looted everything. After genocider people went into their neighbour’s house and found their furniture and clothes. Imagine ? Outside on the school fields, there are signs were the French military were playing volleyball while the genociders were killing 50,000 people. Those army soldiers enjoyed soccer and volleyball on the school ground. It is almost proven now that the plane of the President before genocide whom had agreed with the Arusha Accords was taken down by the French. 38 years of research to come up with a yes the French Army/ secret service was probably implicated. The museum (past school under construction) starts with saying before colonization, we were all Rwandans. After colonization…. You know what happens.
In the genocide memorials, one clearly sees how the international community was the cause of Africa’s poverty and instability. Unfortunately today, the African continent including Rwanda, hasn’t been released from the continuous meddling of European countries. An unstable Africa keeps the balance of power in the world. I always wonder why the West can accuse Developing countries of denying human rights, running dictatorships while no African President is allowed to comment on the West. If they are not operating in favour of the West, instability will be created, aid will stop and let’s call it dark foreign forces will penetrate into the country causing wars. At the end is the people that suffer. The West has drawn a character for African to which they should fit. The image of the poor African has to be remained. Today, the media continues to play a role in this. #whatthemediadoesntshowyouofafrica was a great hashtag campaign of the youth to show what Africa really is. A beautiful continent in development full of competences, talent and resources. However, there is a saying in Africa, the African owns the land but the diamonds inside belong to the foreigners. Sad, sad and times are changing to slowly due too much international involvement and restrictions within the continent.
Rich countries like Congo for example are a total mess. It’s the international community playing field. Rwanda has decided that they no longer want to be forced to depend. They created a country fund named Agashiro, here all citizens can deposit money for the country. In case of instantly caused by external forces, Rwanda can depend on its own aid. They have had enough and had a tough lesson in history. I can only cheer for this country and hope other African leaders can follow this example. At the moment, the international community is trying to portray Rwanda as a dictatorship. Trust me, come and see you will learn its far off.
Yesterday in the Splendid Hotel in Muhanga, Gitarama, I ran into the Prime Minister, Anastese Murakeze. His security officers had pushed me aside. I first didn’t know, what was going on. I said, who is coming as I saw big tinted cars. The rude over confident guy said: go back you will see. You will immediately recognise him. I thought the car was entering the hotel or something because why would a person need so much space ? Then a tall man in a suit walked in at fast pace. No greetings at all. For a PM, I think you should take time to greet people, your electorate. It was the Prime Minister of Rwanda. His car was closed and the engine was running. I am not sure what this is supposed to me. They got back in their convey and started driving fast. I was in front with the driver. Due to their high speed, they missed the exit. This was silly! Apparently President Kamage doesn’t even behave this way but people below him do ? I am used to seeing this behaviour in West Africa but in Rwanda? Nooo… People agreed with me, that this attitude is not tolerated and I should let the PM know.
