I suppose it wasn't in the best taste to post an article about war in the area and then neither post nor respond to comments for a couple weeks. In my defense, the internet, nationally, has been terrible of late. There is only one internet company in Rwanda, Rwandatel, so when its slow or changes its servers or its http address or whatever, it affects everyone. Its not unlike my nemesis of cable television, Comcast. Hard to say which one infuriates me more. Actually, no its not. Comcast, definitely comcast. Anyway I am fine. In fact, the only news I hear about the conflict in the Congo is if I look on international news sources. The government here isnt exactly open about anything having to do with the genocide, existing genocidairres, or any possible involvement they may have with conflict in neighboring regions. But everything in this region is tied up together, so I would be very very surprised if Rwanda wasnt involved somehow.
In other news, one of President Paul Kagame's top aides was arrested upon her arrival in Germany yesterday upon her arrival to prepare the President's visit. Apparently, the French issued an order for her arrest in 2006 for her suspected role in the assassination of former president Habyiramana, whose death facilitated the genocide in 1994. No one has ever been able to uncover evidence about who actually shot down the Habyiramna's plane and in fact there is just as much speculation that then-government officials did it as there is that rebels did. Kabuye's arrest comes a few weeks after a report issued by the Rwandan government that heavily implicates the French in the genocide and a few weeks after Kagame declared that the only official language of Rwanda will be English beginning in 2010, no longer French and English. It is an interesting coincidence that this arrest comes so soon after these announcements. I cant help but feel like France is being the bully of the schoolyard. It got shamed and now its taking it out in a petty and vindictive way. Only these actions have the potential to seriously undermine both Rwanda's stability and the French government's credibility. I guess bullies dont think too much about that...
Here are two links to the story if you want to read an actual journalists reporting...
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/10/germany.rwanda/?iref=mpstoryview
http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2008-11-10-voa2.cfm
Despite this news, please dont worry about my safety. Kigali remains peaceful and orderly, as it has for the past decade. In fact, another reason I have not posted recently is I have not really had anything to talk about. My days are as routine and quiet as they are at home, probably more so. Other than Obama's election there has not been anything particularly exciting happening. That was amazing though. For the first time in eight years, and maybe for some time before that, I am proud to identify myself as American. Of course, there are still problems with the US and there is a good chance that Obama will not be able to deliver on his promises but he represents at least the possibility of change, the possibility of hope. Even here, his election has energized people. After CNN predicted his win, everyone in the restaurant that I was at all night started hugging and crying. Perfect strangers were clinging to each other. He delivered his speech just as the sun came up and all of us were were quiet, listening to him accept the nomination. As we left, all of the Rwandans that we met on the street were enthusiastic about his win. People were shouting and giving the thumbs up sign as we drove home
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