God sleeps in Rwanda by Joseph Sebarenzi

Author:Joseph Sebarenzi [Sebarenzi, Joseph]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Sebarenzi, Joseph, Genocide -- Rwanda -- History -- 20th century, Reconciliation -- Rwanda, Rwanda -- Biography, Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994 -- Atrocities, Refugees -- Rwanda -- Biography, Rwanda -- Politics and government -- 1994-
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 2009-05-22T19:00:00+00:00

GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA

the killings, “If we use the word ‘genocide’ and are seen as doing nothing, what will be the effect on the November [congressional] election?”^ ^

At the podium, Clinton continued: “It may seem strange to you here, especially the many of you who lost members of your family, but all over the world there were people like me sitting in offices who did not fully appreciate the depth and the speed with which you were being engulfed by this unimaginable terror.” This assertion frustrated me. He could not claim that he didn’t know what was going on. No one could. The murders were carried out in broad daylight. Footage of people being hacked to death was broadcast on television. It was reported in newspapers. It was told in gruesome detail by those fleeing the violence. Whatever excuse anyone could give about the decision not to act, lack of awareness was not one. Again, I thought of my family. If someone had acted, they would be alive today.

“The United States has provided assistance to Rwanda to settle the uprooted and restart its economy, but we must do more,” he said. “I am pleased that America will become the first nation to contribute to the new Genocide Survivors Fund. We will contribute this year $2 million, continue our support in the years to come, and urge other nations to do the same.” This was met with applause.

Clinton finished his twenty-minute speech to more applause and handshakes. I applauded, too, but felt unsatisfied. The speech had done little to help me understand why the international community hadn’t responded to the crisis. I couldn’t get past his comment that he “didn’t fully appreciate” what was happening during the genocide. Still, I applauded. Rwanda has always been known for its hospitality and kindness toward visitors, and I was, above all else, Rwandan.

I only wish the same hospitality had been shown to Kofi Annan when he visited two months later. Many blamed Annan for his lack of re-

‘ * Power, Samantha. “A Problem from Hell”: America and the Age of Genocide. New York: Harper Perennial, 2003, p. 359,

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