The initiative to build a bridge is not a bad idea as such; there is a bridge that needs to be built but it is rather between Rwanda and its ever-growing “forsaken” diaspora-that diaspora that has been stripped of its refugee status and is only accounted for when it comes to name-calling and abasing, that diaspora that isn’t welcome at the festive Rwanda Day or other government-sponsored events.

This diaspora is ignored by the Rwandan government. It is demonized and shunned, its youth stigmatized, discriminated, and victimized simply because of convenient inertia on the part of timid RPF party hawks enjoying the comfort of a status quo and unwilling to adapt to the reality of this resentment breeding issue.

 In 1994, Tutsi were hunted and massacred being told that they were paying for the sins of their forefathers. It is appalling to see that we who supposedly know better, are perpetuating this tradition of punishing the offspring for the sins of the fathers. Blinded by our temporary superiority, we are again perpetuating the vicious circle of revenge and avenge.

 A bridge needs to be built between these Rwandans, their government, and their country. 

It is most unfortunate to see that 26 years after the victory of the RPF, Rwandaness is still conditional, it is still not something we recognize and respect about each other; some of us are again more Rwandan than others, more worthy of life than others. 

A bridge does need to be built for us to become one nation. 

Dissenting voices must be heard. A healthy nation cannot be built on banishment and expulsion of the difference of opinion!

There is a lot happening under the guise of democracy for Rwanda, but by now, we all see that it is deceptive to sell showmanship, the need for revenge, or nostalgia for power as genuine struggles for the betterment of a nation.

 Under the current circumstances, building a “bridge” to harmonize authentic ideological differences within “the opposition” would definitely be futile.

Moreover, prior to putting the cart before the horse, there are ideological and irreconcilable differences among the said “ opposition’s”  prominent politicians to be considered.

To build a “bridge “ over these differences would only connect factions that were never hostile to each other in the first place; or connect factions for whom the said overpass happens to be a temporarily convenient opportunity. 

It would be braver to actually try and reconcile the differences between individuals before endeavoring to undertake bigger challenges; this would be the sort of proof of seriousness that would encourage the ruling party in Rwanda to envisage the dialogue needed for a peaceful return of exiles.

It is a mistake to think that Rwanda ‘s socio-economic problems will magically disappear with the end of the rule of  RPF’s current chairman. While one cannot deny that RPF is not what it used to be or that it has been completely hijacked by Mr. Kagame, it is still a political party that has secured a military victory and been in power for 26 years.

The RDF  is a product of the RPF and unless there arises a worthy challenger of its authority, all change that will happen will require its endorsement. War crimes cannot be brought to book by diverging voices and we all know that reconciliation will only be possible when all crimes committed against the people of Rwanda are recognized and accounted for.

Noble Marara