Thirty years after the Rwandan genocide, the country has made significant progress in reconciliation and development, but at the cost of political freedoms, according to critics. The genocide, which saw at least eight hundred thousand people killed in a one-hundred-day massacre, was fueled by ethnic divisions between the Hutu and Tutsi groups. In the aftermath, Rwanda focused on unity and reconciliation, with efforts such as the gacaca courts, community-led justice systems that aimed to bring perpetrators to justice and provide healing for victims.
President Paul Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, has been credited with the country’s economic growth and stability. However, his government has been accused of suppressing dissent and violating civil liberties, leading to concerns about the upcoming presidential election in July. Despite these challenges, Rwanda has seen success in economic development, healthcare, gender equality, and education.
Internationally, Rwanda has become a key ally for Western countries, receiving significant aid and contributing peacekeepers to UN missions. However, the country has faced criticism for its involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with accusations of supporting rebel groups and seeking regional dominance.
As Rwanda commemorates the anniversary of the genocide, the country continues to grapple with the legacy of the past while striving for progress and stability in the future.