Rwanda has been a victim of falsehoods and lies over the years with actors driven by an array of self-interests.
Among the carriers of the falsehoods are former disgruntled and disgraced public officials often motivated by petty resentments and seeking international attention to discredit the country’s progress over the years.
In other instances, the falsehoods are by renowned and ‘respected’ institutions often aimed at avoiding blame or responsibility in situations or using the country as a pawn in a bigger scheme.
International authors, publishers are often the carriers of falsehoods and lies at times intentionally as they seek to drive their narratives often serving some unseen bosses.
Attempts to misinform have also featured heavily in terminology. Across the world, many are hesitant to term it rightfully as ‘Genocide against the Tutsi’ in an attempt to preserve their narratives or avoid their burden.
As a result of the lies and falsehoods, decisions have been made based on the lies leading to consequences such as genocide suspects being granted safe haven in countries around the world while extradition requests are denied.
There has also been an increase in genocide denial and revisionism, which could take years to reverse.
As President Paul Kagame observed in his speech during 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, falsehoods become facts, and victims become villains while acts of terrorism are portrayed as principled expressions of opposition and dissent.
Despite the odds and falsehoods, the last 27 years are proof that the country will always rise and overcome the manipulation.
Going forward, Rwandans will continue telling the stories, documenting and sharing the truth in as many platforms as possible.
Increasingly, as genocide deniers and ideologues put out their falsehoods and lies, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda should take to available platforms including electronic means to set the record straight.
This will play a role to ensure that the younger generations learning about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are informed from a point of truth.