2024 Rwanda Delegation— Rusi Mbabazi
International Relations ‘25
I'm eager to deepen my understanding of Rwandan history and culture. I haven’t been to Rwanda since 2009, so the prospect of returning home fills me with excitement and nostalgia. I am happy to have been part of the Anne Frank Project and to have been given this great opportunity.
June 6, 2024
Visiting the perpetuators was an experience like no other. It triggered many emotions in me.
Growing up, I’ve always heard stories about the Rwandan Genocide. My mother spoke about the families she lost in Rwanda and how those who survived were never the same. She was not in Rwanda at the time of the Genocide but some of her family was in Rwanda.
I grew up wanting to learn more and more about what happened in 1994 and so I would speak to Rwandans in my community, especially the elderly. They have a passion for teaching history and making sure It isn’t forgotten or repeated.
Through doing this, I heard horror stories that left my heart absolutely shattered and broken.
On our way to meet the perpetrators, I did not know what to expect. I had this feeling of ease, perhaps it was numbness as I have grown up listening to the horrors of the Genocide. I however did not know how I was going to react to meeting and speaking with the doers of the Genocide. The doers of over a million innocent lives being taken, the doers of Rwanda building itself from the ground, the doers of families being split and never to be seen again.
On my way to meeting the perpetrators, I thought of the horror stories I heard. Some stories are well known stories and some that I heard from locals.
I thought of the stories of families who were never reunited and those who were after decades. I thought of the many victims of sexual assault that contracted HIV. I thought of the horror stories I read in the Kigali memorial.
I thought of the documentaries I’ve watched about the Genocide, the pictures I’ve seen, the trauma that I see through the eyes of not only the survivors but those of the next generation. I felt prepared to face the perpetrators and I had a lot of questions as well.
As I sat and listened to the perpetrators speak of their killing spree of 1994, my heart shattered in millions of pieces. I wanted to excuse myself and allow myself to cry, to re mourn the innocent victims. However, I did not wish to miss on anything they had to say. This is their story, their experiences and I wanted to listen. I am grateful for that I got to experience such emotionally challenging yet rewarding experiences. That day, I saw the perpetrators and the victims live in the same compound with love. I said to myself “if these victims can forgive them and live with them, you should too.” It was an unforgettable experience. I am grateful for the transparency of the perpetrators. It was a difficult interview but I learned a lot and persevered.
Thank you,
Rusi Mbabazi
June 7, 2024
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