In commemoration of the 31st Kwibuka, I joined my in-laws and other 2,000 people of Rwandese community in Uganda who trekked to Ggolo memorial site in Mpigi District where 4,771 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest. A total of 10,983 out of over a million genocide toll victims are lying in Uganda alone with 2,875 bodies in Kasensero memorial site in Rakai, and 3,337 at Lambu site in greater Masaka region. Unfortunately, to date some parts of Great Lakes are becoming more polarised along tribal lines thus escalating ethnic extremism that undermines the 1948 UN genocide Convention instrument and all efforts towards unity in diversity, cohesion and co-existence. Despite both the spoken and unspoken histories leading up to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, it is with profound sadness that we acknowledge it was extremism that fueled deep ethnic divisions in the country. These divisions were rooted in intolerance and hatred, forces that gave rise to separatism, violence, and cycles of revenge, ultimately spiraling into civil unrest and, tragically, genocide. Lest we forget, similar sighted symptoms of extremism may escalate into genocide in either DRC, South Sudan, Kenya, or Uganda as it gradually happened in Rwanda from 1959 to 1994. Each time a set of people is marginalised and discriminated against in a bigger society, it’s only so natural that this set will fall back into smaller ethnic conclaves for comfort and despair. Sadly, such situations bleed hatred cum extremism. Ethnic extremism is excessive strong attachment to tribes, for our case in Africa it gets worse when cultural and political players manipulate and facilitate divisions for selfish gains. Ethnic extremism in the Great Lakes region is often fuelled by desire for supremacy between ethnicities, land wrangles, gloss inequalities, illiteracy, competition for natural resources, cattle raiding, pastures, food and water. However, in the 18th century, the coming of Western ideologies like religion, education, and political parties worsened the ethnic differences. The hunger over Western ideologies is detrimentally catalysing ethnic extremism in the Great Lakes. In Uganda, there are growing ethnic tensions, particularly between the Baganda and groups such as the Banyarwanda, Banyankole, and Bahima. Similarly, in Kenya, friction exists among the Kikuyu, Luo, and Kalenjin communities; in South Sudan, between the Dinka and Nuer; and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, between the Hutu and Tutsi. In South Sudan the ethnic extremism is on a mid-night train to a genocide between the Dinka and Nuer tribes under the watch of Salva Kiir and Riek Machal. Lest we forget December 2013, when approximately 47,000 Nuer were massacred by Dinka forces over the course of just four days — one of the most harrowing recorded atrocities. Yet beyond this, countless isolated and deadly incidents continue to plague South Sudan. Unless Uganda, South Sudan, DRC and Kenya learn from devastating effects of the 1994 genocide, they will fall victims of the genocide statistics. The genocide left mass loss of lives and refugee influx, trauma, economic setbacks and unreconcilable differences in the Great Lakes. Kwibuka is an opportunity for the green leaves on tree to learn from the fallen yellow leaves on ground. We can’t turn back the years but we have an opportunity to mitigate the unfolding risk factors that led to the similar incidents in Rwanda. In order to combat ethnic extremism, a holistic approach is critical in reviewing international treaties and regulations against genocide, hate speech, and violence. Domestically constructing a social fabric will save nations from future genocides. Redressing the root causes of hate speech, discrimination, intolerance and land wrangles in Uganda, South Sudan, DRC and Kenya are potential remedy. Embracing inter marriages is critical to constructing a social fabric between tribes. Leveraging on sports as a unifying factor can also strengthen cohesion, co-existence and unity in diversity. Embracing a common language like English and Swahili can improve communication for inter-ethnic dialogues. Governments across the Great Lakes must distribute public service jobs and opportunities equally to minimise the gloss inequalities that often lead to envy, hate speech, and vergency against a particular tribe. Ending brutality and violence against particular ethnicities is crucial towards combating tribal extremism. Faith based institutions can be hubs of unity in diversity to bolster brotherhood and co-existence as God’s family. Media support to music and art in creating more awareness and sensitisation about the dangers of tribal extremism. We were all created in the God’s image, why would one hate another because of his tribe or background in an era of globalisation? Logically, biblically, historically, astrologically, and humanly it does not make sense. We either come together as one human race to avoid another looming genocide or perish as fools. Robertinez07@aol.com
