I guess it is understandable that the narrative about Rwandan politics is dominated by the aftermath of the 1994 genocide and that the prevailing narrative ignores most of what happened before and has happened since (hint: violence did not just spring from the ether in April 1994). But the feel-good post-1994 narrative is not the only narrative. It’s not even the best one.
Paul Kagame won this week’s election in a landslide. But is that victory a good thing for Rwandans? Many doubt as much, and rightfully so. The problem with post-atrocity situations is that we ascribe virtue to those who emerge from the rubble of the atrocity independent of whether that virtue is earned. There might have been a time when Paul Kagame was the leader Rwanda needed. I’m not convinced that time is now, even if I have to respect the (supposed) will of the Rwandan people.