Regional
Nyoka asikuume: Genocide against the Tutsi re-occurring in DRC
The
Greatlakes Eye recently published a story titled “Who
will listen to M23?” Beyond the title, the M23 that is mentioned represents
the Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese, including the Banyamulenge people.
The
Banyamulenge have been subjected to enormous massacres over the years. Their compatriots
and government persecutes them while calling them Rwandans, and wish nothing
for them other than death.
All
this happens as the international community and especially the troops of the UN
Mission in DRC, MONUSCO, are watching, as was the case in Rwanda between 1992
and 1994, when the “Hutu Power” ideology was promoted; the Interahamwe and
Impuzamugambi were formed, RTLM and other dangerous newspapers were published,
and bad politicians’ speeches encouraging people to commit genocide were
broadcast in front of UN forces.
All
these are scenarios that are too familiar in present day DRC.
The
lies and hostilities taught and propagated by ordinary Congolese against their
fellow Tutsi Congolese threatens the peace of the region. Especially when a
Genocide against the same group happened in Rwanda in 1994.
Some
of the lies being spread include that M23 are Rwandans, supported by Rwanda,
yet Congolese authorities, who are lying about this, are well aware of the fact
that they are Congolese.
They
go further to allege that Rwanda intends to steal the DRC’s minerals because it
does not have any. However, ever since 1925, Belgians discovered minerals in
Rwanda, and created mining companies.
The
other invented lies include that about the Balkanization of DRC and the
creation of a Hima-Tutsi empire. There is also the “Wanyarwanda warudie kwawo”
(Rwandans should return to their country) slogan, or Tutsi should return to
their country in Rwanda; and the “Nyoka asikuume”- an expression used to
compare the Tutsi and Congolese snakes, which intends to dehumanize them.
The
DRC has been central in propagating genocide ideology as was the case in 1994.
The
ideology of hatred in DRC is the same as the one that was in Rwanda especially in
1992-1994, when the genocide against the Tutsi was being prepared, which should
be a wake-up call for all peace loving human beings to defend the truth and
facts,
But
the problem is in those who know the truth and keep silent; yet there are young
people who do not know much, and need to know the important facts of history,
to be able to debunk the lies.