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Rwanda-France: two speeches for history?

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday acknowledged in Kigali France’s “responsibilities” in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. In a long-awaited speech, he said he hoped for forgiveness from the victims without however apologizing as some expected. “By standing, with humility and respect, by your side, I come to recognize our responsibilities”, he declared, while affirming that France had “not been an accomplice” of the genocide which made more than 800,000 dead. During a joint press conference, his counterpart, President Paul Kagame, welcomed the words of Emmanuel Macron. “His words had more value than an apology. They were the truth, ”he said, referring to the“ immense courage ”of his“ friend ”Emmanuel Macron. The two presidents have promised, in Mr. Macron’s words, to renew “powerful and irreversible” relations between their two countries.

 

After President Macron’s speech, we offer you the full text of that of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

“First of all, I would like to welcome you, Mr. President Macron, my friend, and your delegation here in Rwanda. Today is a day when we can talk about the present and the future, while reflecting on the past that brought us here.
The president has just made an important statement at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It was a powerful speech, with special meaning about what is happening today, a speech that will resonate far beyond Rwanda. His words were more valuable than an apology. They were the truth.

Telling the truth is risky. But we do it because it’s fair, even when it costs you something, even when it’s unpopular. Despite some rumors and voices that have been raised, President Macron has taken this step. Politically and morally, it is an act of immense courage. These risks paid off, because there was goodwill on both sides. It was important not to rush the process. The facts had to be properly established. Our respective societies also needed this opportunity to debate and deliberate. One step led to another. And that’s how we got to this day, which is a major milestone.

In Rwanda and France, so many individuals, too numerous to name, have continued to ask questions, year after year, to demand clarity. They come from civil society, academia and journalism. Some are simply interested citizens. We would not be here today without their tireless efforts, and I wish to extend our deep gratitude and thanks to them.

The truth heals. This is the principle on which Rwanda’s project of unity and reconciliation is founded. This has been our experience as Rwandans. There is no shortcut. Our conviction, from the start, has been that the process must take into account France’s role. And we knew it couldn’t be more difficult than coming to terms with ourselves. No grain of truth has been sacrificed. But the weight of responsibility has been put back in its place: on those who made the decisions. Whether or not there are trials, justice is served by the tribunal of history and by the work of historical documentation which must continue, jointly. This search for truth has taken place against the backdrop of the complex challenges that Rwanda has faced over the past 27 years.

Rwanda could easily have remained a failed state. Some might have liked to see this. Others have worked to make sure Rwanda fails. But we have worked together as a nation to design solutions for ourselves. And indeed, on all dimensions, including human rights, Rwanda today is objectively a nation transformed for the better. We continue to exist as a united people, against all odds. And we are constantly striving to improve.

There is a way of looking at Africa, from the outside, which automatically associates every success with a huge cost in terms of fundamental values ​​and freedoms. This does not mean that Africa does not have bad actors. There are some. They are here, and maybe many. But they are not more numerous than anywhere else in the world. The difference is that Africa as a whole is defined by its bad actors. While elsewhere these bad actors are seen as exceptions. This assumption creates a point of reference where Africa is always at the bottom. This gives security to people who think they have a natural right to do and say whatever they want in relation to Africa, to give lessons and pass judgment on our choices.

Unfortunately, some of our people in Africa are also participating in this negative enterprise. The dynamic lasts and continues forever, as if it were unstoppable or inevitable. But it is not. How to stop it? Well, doing what you think is right. Which will ultimately be seen as fair.

The veil of moral superiority is very thin. Behind him hide racism, the negation of equality, of the dignity of all human beings. It was racism that made this genocide predictable in Africa. The genocide ideology exists on the same continuum. They are forms of dehumanization and constitute a growing threat to our societies on all continents. Our civilized world must come together to fight racism and genocide ideology in a concerted and coherent manner.

There are attitudes inherited from the past that must change. And I mean that President Macron is among those who have understood that things must change, and who are taking a strong position to try to allow this change. It is not about speaking on behalf of Africa, but rather about ensuring that the voices of Rwandans and Africans can join with other voices of the world in the pursuit of common goals, no matter where. where we come from. President Macron is someone who listens and who is committed to supporting Africa on the basis of what Africa itself has chosen. It is different, it is better, and it is lasting. Basically this visit is about the future, not the past. France and Rwanda want to have a better desire to have a better relationship, for the benefit of our two peoples, economically, politically and in terms of culture.

But the relationship between our two countries will never be completely conventional. There is a special familiarity that stems from the complex and terrible story we share, for better or for worse. We have chosen it to be for the best. We want to forge a strong and lasting relationship, based on the priorities that matter to both Rwanda and France. This includes a large number of points that we discussed during our bilateral meeting today, such as investment, digitization, gender equality, climate change, cultural exchanges or even support for the entrepreneurship, start-ups, and in particular the empowerment of young people. Rwanda will be a strong partner in all of these areas. Mr. Chairman, thank you once again, and your delegation, for being with us here today. I thank everyone who is present for their attention. ”


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