Rwanda tips Malawi on tolerance, warns tribal divisions can spark civil war
Rwandan High Commissioner Monique Mukaruliza has described tolerance as an ingredient to development in a country, saying Malawians should guard against ethnic and tribal divisions, as they can plunge the country into a war similar to genocide what Rwandans experienced in 1994.
The envoy said this on Saturday in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the 57th anniversary of Rwanda’s independence and 25th anniversary of liberation from genocide under the theme: “Together we prosper”.
Mukaruliza said unity and reconciliation has made Rwanda a good place for every citizen and a best place where people can freely do businesses.
“Malawians should learn from the bad history of Rwanda and work hard for the unity and reconciliation when there are misunderstandings, because when you are united you can get where ever you want to go in terms of development.
“Before 1994, when there was genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda was almost a failed state but because of good leadership, unity and reconciliation, the country has achieved a lot during the last 25 years, a thing that other countries should emulate,” she said
She further said peaceful countries have great potential to grow economically and urged Malawians to refrain from various things that could cause instabilities.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Bright Msaka said it is really encouraging that Rwandans fought tooth and nail to deal with the instabilities that costed many lives before 1994.
“It is worthy commemorating this day, this is a day when Rwanda stands proud having triumphed over a painful historical tragedy that would otherwise have destroyed a nation with less resolve. Instead, the people of Rwanda triumphed over extreme evil and emerged stronger, united and successful,” he said.
He also commended, the leadership of the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, who led the process of liberation and defeated the forces of division and injustice.
“We also appreciate and celebrate President Kagame for his strong leadership in building upon this momentum and translating it into a solid commitment to build an all-inclusive and economically successful Rwanda through hard-work. This effort has resulted in the much
stronger Rwanda that we see today,” he added.
Msaka further reaffirmed the cordial bilateral relations existing between Malawi and Rwanda saying the relations are growing from strength to strength.
Rwanda got its independence in 1962 from Belgians and subsequent years after, leadership initiated and institutionalised ethnic discrimination against Tutsi leading to cyclic killings and
mass-movement of Rwandan refugees into neighbouring countries.
Do we really need Rwandans to pump sense in us? Didn’t Rwandans learn a thing or two from us? All the hate has come about because of the Mulakho thing where one tribe arrogantly thinks it must everything for itself. The result is that it will do everything possible kuphangira zinthu including nepotism, corruption, money laundering, thieving and last but not least, stealing votes.
Any tribal conflict will be attributed to APM and Ansah of MEC.
We don’t need to be lectured by a Rwandese who is enjoying the fruits of tribalism. Can Mukaruliza tell me whether she is a Tutsi or Hutu? If she is a Hutu I will understand that Rwanda has embraced tolerance otherwise all good positions are going to the Tutsis which is Kagame’s tribe. So madam, stop being a hypocrite – Malawi has been a peaceful nation since independence, but something has gone wrong which Malawians are demanding correction. No more lectures, we know what we want.
What Mukaruliza has said is true but tribalism in Malawi is deeply ingrained in the mind of those who nurtures it. For example, children are told to hate specific “tribes” at early ages and they grow up hating such “tribes”. Even if they learnt about evils associated with tribalism at secondary school level or university level, they still sow seed of tribalism. In part, it is due to the competition for limited resources. Yet these resources with greater efforts they could be available to everyone. A case in point is availability of space in secondary schools and universities. Those in… Read more »
Unity will only come as soon as the votes have been nurified, no talks no nothing. If he is a true Democrat let Him Do what Kamuzu Did, He must admit that people are tired of Him basi ife tizamuombera mmanja.
I would recommend that our current crop of Malawian politicians should extensively interact with their Rwandan counterparts to learn from past mistakes (of encouraging tribal and regional loyalties) in order to entrench themselves in power. As we can learn from the ‘Rwandan’ experience, the cost can be very high and devastating. Sadly though, it appears to me that a political party whose very survival depends and thrives on fermenting ethnic and tribal divisions, may not embrace the idea of ‘Unity is strength’. This our biggest challenge as a nation at the moment. If it were practicable I would have put… Read more »
HOW ARE WE GOING TO UNIT ,IF YOU ARE ONES YOU STARTED STEALING THE VOTES? AND U DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT DEFEAT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ITS FINE AS FAR AS YOU NOT HUMBLE YOURSELF WILL NOT STAND AND LOOK CAN I KNEEL DOWN TO THE CRUEL THIEVES?