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Rwanda

Uncomfortable Truths

Anyone not familiar with 'affairs of state' can all too easily be led to make 'black and white'
judgements. The reality is that many of France's actions can be interpreted differently. Not

necessarily benignly. France's history in post-independent Africa has rarely been benign.

And the enduring significance of Rwandan suspicion of France lies in that throughout
post-independent Africa, France has intervened and intervened. And always seemingly

motivated by its own perceived self-interest.
 The Al-Jazeera documentary that features the actual French intelligence agent detailing
how he, on behalf of his government controlled, quite literally controlled an African
president, gives voice to that Rwandan suspicion.
 The Belgian 'not for profit' Institute's analysis and report on French military interventions in
African states simply amplifies Rwandan suspicions.

 French past involvement in assassinations of pre-independence and post-independence
African leaders simply fertilises Rwandan suspicions
 French past involvement in coups and attempted coups in post-independent African
countries shouts in the ever wary minds of Rwandan leaders,
We should never condone 'out of country' actions nor egregious breaches of Human

Rights. But if we want to 'make a difference', if we want to move on, then we need to
understand why Rwanda and other countries feel the need to control events. And we need

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to understand the m'zuŋ u. role in creating the circumstances that lead to 'out of country'
actions.
And people who genuinely are concerned about the 'quality of life' of ordinary

Africans would achieve a lot more if they channelled their 'worthiness' into pressuring
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major m'zuŋ u. aid donors and their institutions to adopt policies and programmes that
might reasonably be expected to reduce the very real sense of State Insecurity in the

minds of today's African leaders. Many of whom are informed by the personal and family
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memories,, and sometimes very recent memories that many m'zuŋ u. just don't have.
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