Few things (the other is security) are as important to Rwandans as the unity of the nation... It is so important that you might say it is sacred because it was bought with the blood of countless Rwandans. You cannot take it lightly or play with it. That would be like playing with the lives of Rwandans and putting their future in jeopardy, or making light of their sacrifice, including giving their lives to restore it. It is understandable why Rwandans should hold the unity of the nation with near religious reverence and vow to defend it with equal fervour. It is because of their history. The events of the recent past are still fresh and raw. Those that go back decades are the source of nearly all the problems the country has faced. Only 29 years ago, this country was all but destroyed by the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, itself the culmination of decades of officially-initiated division and hatred, first instigated and institutionalised by colonial authorities, and then entrenched by post-colonial governments up to 1994.instigate The genocide was stopped by Rwandans at a very high cost. Then the task of rebuilding the country and restoring the unity and dignity of its people began and has been progressing steadily. Anything that threatens to roll this back is therefore an affront to the memory of the victims of the genocide and those who gave their lives to stop it and liberated the country from bad politics, and a grave danger to the aspirations and vision for the future of the nation. It is a crime against the nation, or to extend the religious reference, sacrilege. That is the view you get from listening to Rwandans reacting to any threat to the bonds that keep them together or that seeks to create alternative identities. One such case is the supposed ‘coronation’ of the leader of one of Rwanda’s clans. The reaction is usually utter condemnation, but also correction, even entreaty to keep to the national consensus and vision. That is certainly what one heard at a meeting of officials and cadres of the Rwanda Patriotic Front on Sunday, July 23 that convened to remind members and Rwandans in general of the cardinal importance of unity of the nation. In typical RPF fashion, the discussion took a long term and wide view of issues to give perspective and a sense of continuity. Everything is always put in a historical context, stretching from the past to recent times and the present, and into the future, with representatives of different generations giving their views and establishing the connection. From public comments on social media and at the meeting, you heard such expressions as (not exact words): extravagance at the event in the midst of want is obscene and smirks of cynicism or callousness. It is the result of the over-indulgence of some of the elite, or of ignorance and lack of judgement. Others thought the ‘coronation’ was harmless, perhaps the prank of the well-to-do who needed an excuse to have fun. Or even that it was well-intentioned, if perhaps misguided. Even for those who hold this view, the whole thing is indefensible. What would be the point of filling a position that does not exist and that would have no cultural or administrative function? We will not wait to find out. Doing that might be pandering to folly or prove costly. Better not to. Again in characteristic fashion, the RPF used the opportunity to address the wider issue of unity. It convened the meeting to sort out matters early, nip any divisive tendencies in the bud before they are allowed to take hold and spread, and threaten the unity of the nation. Early detection and prevention of such problems has been RPF practice and strength since its inception. Another such practice is introspection and bringing serious or contentious matters up for discussion in the open. That offers opportunity for self-examination, criticism and charting the direction forward. Everyone, including those who have gone astray, knowingly or through ignorance or deceit, to return to the path that was collectively chosen. Many can remember the Urugwiro Consultative Dialogue and Kicukiro discussions in the early days of the RPF government which helped chart the direction the country has taken since. The ability to look within, identify weaknesses, and bring them up for discussion is one of the methods that keep the RPF engaged with the people and the challenges of the country, and remain on top of them. It is also the means to renew itself and recommit to the principles that govern it. This, and holding certain principles sacred, is part of what makes the RPF such a formidable and effective political organisation and government. At some point, however, as some commentators have observed, there will have to be another big renewal exercise, something like the Urugwiro and Kicukiro Discussions. For now, the existing mechanisms work just fine.
