When do we say a country is in bed with another country? The phrase suggests an alliance that, rather than serving mutual interests, benefits one party at the expense of the other. This article examines what happened when Rwanda aligned with Western powers and what transpired when it chose to assert its sovereignty. It also serves as a cautionary tale for African nations, arguing that Western involvement has historically brought devastation rather than peace or prosperity. For anyone familiar with Rwanda’s history, three Western countries stand out in their involvement: Germany, Belgium, and France. Germany and Belgium, as Rwanda’s former colonizers, and France, which supported the government of President Juvénal Habyarimana, have all played significant roles in shaping Rwanda’s trajectory. Today, Rwanda maintains strained relations with its former colonizers, who expected continued deference. However, Rwanda has chosen its own path, unsettling those accustomed to exerting influence over its affairs. But has Rwanda always resisted foreign control? The first recorded interaction between Rwanda and Europeans occurred during the reign of King Kigeli IV Rwabugiri. However, he died before the Germans could establish a foothold. His successor, King Yuhi V Musinga, tolerated the Germans' presence but resisted their influence. Bishop Léon Classe noted that the German presence in Rwanda was limited—just 30 men ruling over a nation of two million. Belgium’s entry into Rwanda was far more forceful. In 1916, Belgian forces, backed by the British, ousted the Germans. King Yuhi V Musinga, unwilling to accept Belgian rule, was deposed in 1931 and exiled to the Belgian Congo, where he died in 1944. His successor, King Mutara III Rudahigwa, fought for independence but mysteriously died in Bujumbura in 1959. His brother, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa, also resisted Belgian control. A pivotal moment occurred on June 30, 1960, during the independence celebrations of the Congo. Invited by Patrice Lumumba, King Kigeli V Ndahindurwa attended the event in Kinshasa. When Congolese officials hesitated to lower the Belgian flag, Kigeli V boldly took it down himself, raising the new Congolese flag. This act of defiance alarmed the Belgians, who subsequently prevented his return to Rwanda, forcing him into exile. From 1897 to 1960, Rwanda was ruled by four kings—Kigeli IV Rwabugiri, Yuhi V Musinga, Mutara III Rudahigwa, and Kigeli V Ndahindurwa—all of whom resisted colonial dominance. Despite their struggles, Rwandans remained united and did not descend into internal conflict. However, within just 38 years of Western-backed rule (1959–1994), Rwanda suffered unimaginable atrocities. Rwanda’s first alignment with Western interests occurred in 1959 when it traded true independence for the promise of ethnic exclusion. Propaganda billboards at the time infamously declared: “No to immediate independence. Help us get rid of the Tutsi, then you can keep colonizing us.” This arrangement saw Belgium grant Joseph Gitera nominal leadership while retaining control over Rwanda’s affairs. Historian Elizabeth King, in her study Colonial Schooling, highlights the stark contrast between Rwanda before and after colonial administration. A European official once described pre-colonial Rwanda as the safest place on the planet, without a single gunshot. By 1964, Rwanda had descended into chaos—thousands were killed, tens of thousands displaced, and up to 300,000 fled the country. The colonial legacy of division and violence continues to plague the Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Rwanda’s former colonizers still exert influence. Since 1994, Rwanda has rejected external control, prioritizing unity and self-reliance. This defiance has drawn the ire of Germany, Belgium, and France, whose continued hostility underscores their inability to accept Rwanda’s independence. Rwanda’s path echoes that of Tanzania in the 1960s. Under Julius Nyerere’s leadership, Tanzania rejected neocolonial interference, focused on self-sufficiency, and fostered national unity. Though initially seen as economically weak, Tanzania has since emerged as a regional economic leader. In today’s era of globalization, nations must recognize that survival depends not on exploitation but on genuine partnerships. Despite Western threats and efforts to undermine them, African countries must resist dependency, fostering cooperation among themselves instead. A united Africa can compel the West to acknowledge its colonial crimes and abandon its exploitative practices, paving the way for true equality and reparations. The time has come for Africa to refuse to be in bed with the West. Only through unity and self-determination can the continent reclaim its dignity and future.
