The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
VIDEO FROM THE UN (CLICK ARROW above TO PLAY)
It was only through our Rwanda’s unique homegrown solution to Justice and Reconciliation: Gacaca that I could find the truth.
Even though heavily and unfairly criticized, mainly by non-Rwandans, Gacaca facilitated healing.
- Survivors got information about what happened to their relatives
- They learned where victims’ bodies had been hidden and were able to rebury them in dignity
- Perpetrators were given a platform to repent, ask for forgiveness and serve sentences with healed hearts
One million, six hundred and seventy eight thousand, six hundred and seventy two people Genocide suspects that were tried in the Gacaca courts, which closed in 2012 after running for 10 years.
- And people like me, those related to perpetrators, and keen to know what exactly happened, finally found out the truth.
Gacaca helped me get the truth that I desperately needed, to be able to reopen my heart to my mother. There is no way to repair what she had done, and I will never understand the reasons behind her actions. But at the very least, I wanted to see if she would regret and repent before I could forgive her.
I was able to unburden myself of guilt and disassociate myself from her crimes.
As a born again Christian I experienced the power of forgiveness for healing and reconciliation. I forgave my mother and was able to visit her, take care of her with a healed heart and today I even take my children to visit her. At the end of the day a Mother is a mother and ever irreplaceable. On the other hand she is accountable of her actions, she is serving her sentence with a healed heart and a peace of mind knowing that her children live in country where, children will never be responsible or held accountable of the crimes of their fathers or mothers.
As my President, Paul Kagame said: “We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future, and to ensure that what happened never happens again.”
Today I am not proud of my mother’s actions but again I am not held by that shadow, I choose to leave it behind, set my own path, and live my story.
Truly extraordinary testimony from Nelly Mukazayire – daughter of Tutsi survivor & Hutu perpetrator. Truth & memory. pic.twitter.com/3iL0jFN2Sm
— Simon Adams (@SimonAdamsR2P) April 11, 2016
I consider myself privileged to live in a country committed to rights and justice for all, in policy and practice.
As a young girl of 14 I exercised my rights to see my mother. For the last 20 years till today I have never been prevented from seeing my mother.
As a young woman, I have been able to study to advanced levels. I competed for positions in public service, and been evaluated based on merit. I worked for the Prime Minister and today, I am Deputy Chief of Staff of a great statesman, President Paul Kagame. This can only happen in a country that is committed to Human Rights without any discrimination.
Young Rwandans were once used to commit Genocide and destroy their own country. Today, the youth, 70% of our population, is active in rebuilding Rwanda.
“Never Again” is a principle we live by. We are redefining ourselves, through our dialogue in Ndi Umunyarwanda: I am Rwandan, where we have restored our common identity as Rwandans. This came at a high price, men and women sacrificed their lives, Survivors had to go through painful moments of mourning their loved ones but also live with Genocide perpetrators next door, each one had to live with his/her wounds but also help one another to move forward and out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls. Having lost everything, coming back from chaos the only thing that matters to everyone is to never go back and thus together we stand as one, in Unity beyond what the external world can imagine.
We have decided to take responsibility for our wellbeing, our dignity, our future. We strongly believe that no one can know better what is good for us and we are committed to take necessary actions, make necessary changes for a stable and prosperous Rwanda. If this requires that H.E Paul Kagame leads Rwanda for another 7 years, 10 years or 15 years, then let it be! He has proven to us Rwandans that HE cares and delivers. After all isn’t it that type o leadership that we all want?! The one that delivers!
– Remarks by Ms. Nelly Mukazayire, Deputy Director of the Cabinet in the Office of the President of Rwanda
You have been and will be told diverting stories by those who find you here or in your respective countries looking for protecting their own interests but that is not the reality about Rwanda, the reality we live on daily basis is this one, of an inclusive country, people with common identity, united for a life, a vision, a destiny.
As we work to transform Rwanda, we are fully aware that the struggle against Genocide ideology is a continuous one, one that requires regional and international partnership.
I wish to conclude by appreciating efforts like this one that set a platform for people to hear from the other side, it’s an effort to be encouraged and even go beyond, come to Rwanda and get reality from the ground.
I thank my government, for creating and sustaining a new nation, where we can all be fearlessly and proudly 100% Rwandan and
I want to say thank you to all of our friends, who have been by our side in the last 22 years, supporting us in our journey of development, as well as in the fight against genocide denial.
To my fellow Rwandans, Ndagira nti: Mpore!I wish all of you strength and peace during Kwibuka and always.
I thank you.
Heartbreaking. Nelly has demonstrated great courage. It should make us remember the many other innocent souls that are victims of circumstances but who suffer the pain quietly unable to pick up the courage to talk about it.
A young lady of great character and resolve. I salute you. Nelly, you are indeed fortunate to live in a country of inclusion and opportunity. Komera!