Letter: Rwanda and Burundi slide towards a new disaster
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The Great Lakes region of Africa is on the verge of another human catastrophe, and it is quite clear that the international community has learnt nothing from the Rwanda experience.
Aid workers in Burundi fear that the country is on the verge of an explosion of violence. Civil war rages in the countryside between the ruling Tutsi military and the Hutus who have been "cleansed" from the capital, Bujumbura. Approximately 100,000 people (Amnesty International) have been killed there in the past two years.
In the refugee camps of Zaire and Tanzania refugees planning to return home are intimidated by Hutu militia members. Propaganda adds to the climate of fear. In Zaire the government has mobilised troops to exert pressure on the refugees to return home by ringing the camps and ordering an end to all commercial activity.
It is incumbent on the international community to lend its weight to the Rwandan authorities in their attempts to rebuild their justice system, bring to trial those guilty of crimes of genocide, to rebuild their country and to instill confidence returning refugees and their hopes for a new future. Until there is a fully functioning justice system in Rwanda its people living outside its borders will not return home.
John O'Shea
Director
Goal [relief and development agency]
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments