No leader has succeeded another leader peacefully in Rwanda's history
By Yohani Mbera
March 9, 2015
In
pre-colonial Rwanda, the unification process of Rwanda as we know it today was
achieved by large through extermination of defeated hutu kings. To keep this
memory of violent end for the former leaders, the Nyinginya royal drum (first
Rwoga and then Karinga), symbolizing their power, was dressed with
"ibikondo", the genitals of the defeated kings. Under the Nyiginya
dynasty, a reigning Mwami had to die before a new one could be enthroned. Mwami
Mibambwe Rutalindrwa was burnt with all his family and followers at Rucunshu.
In
colonial Rwanda, Mwami Yuhi Musinga was deposed by the Belgian colonialists and
sent into forced exile in Congo where he died. Mwami Mutara Rudahigwa died in
office in controversial circumstances in Burundi. Mwami Kigeli Ndahindurwa was
deposed by the people in a referendum while in forced exile where he still
lives.
In
post-colonial Rwanda, President Kayibanda was deposed by a military coup d'Etat
and died of mistreatment under house arrest. President Habyarimana was
assassinated when his plane was shot down by two missiles fired by an RPA
squad. Interim President Sindikubwabo died in the Congolese jungles along with
hundreds of thousands of hutu refugees exterminated by RPA invading forces
there. President Bizimungu was forced to resign and was jailed.
In post-Cold War Rwanda, the incumbent President Kagame took power by force, rules by force and wants to rule for life in a system that blocks the Hutu majority from participating into national politics in the name of preventing genocide, since they are held globally responsible and are even expected to ask for forgiveness even for those who were not yet born when it happened.
Rwanda is poised to go through other painful times before that tradition of political violence is uprooted.
In post-Cold War Rwanda, the incumbent President Kagame took power by force, rules by force and wants to rule for life in a system that blocks the Hutu majority from participating into national politics in the name of preventing genocide, since they are held globally responsible and are even expected to ask for forgiveness even for those who were not yet born when it happened.
Rwanda is poised to go through other painful times before that tradition of political violence is uprooted.
posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 9:26 PM
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