A Changing Rwanda
When I traveled to Rwanda in April, what struck me was how the streets of Kigali remain so amazingly clean. Many of the dirt sidewalks were swept clean. Each sidewalk devoid of trash. Remarkable.
It's as though the country wants to erase anything messy or unclean after going through such a horrific, bloody conflict 14 years ago.
Rwandans-both victims and perpetrators-of the genocide live side-by-side. Many seem to have found a way to grow past the pain.
And then, every few months, a reminder of the genocide pops up.
Genocider Brought to Justice
The ringleader of the 1994 genocide was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for his role in the killing of nearly a million people.
A United Nations high court convicted Theoneste Bagosora was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Bagosora headed up and armed the vicious Interahamwe militia. They went around in gangs and gave no mercy to Tutsis or moderate Hutus.
Click here to read the whole story.
A breakoff of the Interahamwe lives on in the embattled Kivu area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were chased in to the DRC following the genocide. The roving band still steals, kills and destroys everything in their path.
Rwanda's Path to Renewal
But as for the country they left behind, Rwanda seems on the path to renewal. In April, Rwandan President Paul Kagame brought in Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church to launch his country as the world's first "Purpose Driven Nation."
This special plan is using the church to help the country heal and become independent of foreign aid. To find out more about the Purpose Driven Nation, read these stories that George Thomas and I did in country. And check out my other blogs I did from Rwanda.
Rwanda's P.E.A.C.E Gaining Ground
Creating a Purpose Driven Nation
As if to help the "purpose" idea along, Kagame reminded his countrymen yesterday that foreign aid is unpredictable and all Rwandans need to learn how to live without it.
This editorial in The New Times Thursday, supports Kagame's announcement. Read it here.
French Soon to be History
On another note, Xinhua news reports that Rwanda will switch from teaching in French to teaching in English in its schools in 2011.
A Rwandan official is quoted as saying his country is simply joining the international system.
The move to kill French in schools has been seen by many as a way of severing ties with France.
Read more about the change here.
Comments? Drop me an e-mail.
RELATED LINKS: