national unity is a tourist brochure

National unity actually reinforces ethnic divisions by foisting ethnic identity on Rwandans. the core assumption of the government is that individual identity is caught up in being either Hutu or Tutsi (notice no mention of the Twa). But many Rwandans have not hardened around their ethnic identity as the myth suggests. I have spoken to Hutu who did not they were different from their Tutsi neighbours until 1990 when the Hamitic myth of Tutsi superiority was first broadcast on Radio Rwanda. For them, the genocide is not a genocide, but a war that started in 1990 and did not end until 1996 when enforced repatriation of Rwandan refugees from neighbouring countries was undertaken. I have spoken to Tutsi who did not know they were Tutsi until local authorities rounded up entire hills – where both Hutu and Tutsi were resident – in the game of moving them to safety from the war, and from invading RPF. Upon arrival at the ‘safe zone’, Hutu were separated from Tutsi, with the remaining Tutsi encircled by Interahamwe.

There is some room to talk to Rwandans formerly-known-as-Hutu about their identity, but virtually none with Tutsi. Never Again means never again target Tutsi. It does not, never again will their be genocide in Rwanda. Interesting response by a government that proclaims national unity on the backs of Tutsi survivors of the genocide and in a country where everyone you speak to considers themselves a survivor as well.