Nameless (like those dying while we silently drink our coffee)

I am sitting down at the Museum café; overwhelmed, disturbed and hungry. There is a revolution in my heart. My mind keeps repeating “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” (Edmund Burke) I am convinced of man’s fallen state – an inherent evil nature – expressed in extreme violence and extreme silence.

The Genocide memorial in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, paints the picture of a bloody past. In this clean, rather orderly and safe country almost everyone older than 18 years remembers a murdered relative and friend or has murdered a friend or relative himself.

Many years ago the peaceful relations between Rwandan tribes were turned into hatred between socio-economic classes, created by Colonial ignorance. The Belgiums elevated the Tutsi minority as the elite, opening the door for jealousy and ultimately hatred among the Hutu majority. The referendum in 1961 and independence in 1962 opened the way for a single-party, oppressive Hutu government. (Remember the independence of South Africa in 1961 under NP rule in order to institute Apartheid) There were violent uprisings in 1962 killing many Tutsi’s. In later years, just as in South Africa, an underground militia was being trained. Hutu propaganda reigned. The French government made a loan to fund an arms deal with a French company and the Hutu regime. From 1990-1994 genocide was rehearsed on numerous accounts. Early 1994 a high ranking Hutu provided all the necessary information needed to warn the UN and prevent the genocide. That emergency fax was answered only with deadly silence.

On 6 April 1994, as the plane transporting the Hutu President is shot down, the propaganda radio bellows, “It is time to cut the tall trees”. This was the secret call sign to unleash the well rehearsed and brilliantly strategized acts of hell. Friend turned on friend, neighbour murdered neighbour in cold blood. Thousands of murders took place - one after the other. The UN was “appalled by the atrocities”, yet on the same meeting decided to withdrew their forces. 800 000 people were massacred in 100 days.

And the international community? Did they step up to fulfill the promises made after the Holocaust? Did they speak up? Did they even listen? Most did nothing… Though some supplied the resources and weapons with which the genocide was carried out.

Please see the grace of God in a mostly peaceful election and transition to democracy in South Africa in April 1994. Celebrate the wisdom and humility of both Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk. But see also the disgrace in an epic failure of humanity in Rwanda, April 1994. Can it be that the international community was so absorbed in ending Apartheid that they completely overlook genocide in Rwanda and Bosnia? Or did they simply not care enough?

In retrospect, Kofi Annan (then Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations) has apologized in acknowledging that he “could’ve and should’ve done more” to prevent the Rwandan genocide. People make mistakes.

Life has continued in Rwanda. People rarely talk about the genocide or their real feelings towards each other. Some call Rwanda a restoration miracle, believing that the 3^rd generation after the genocide will live a free and good life, together. Yet it was the 3^rd generation Afrikaner after the Anglo Boer War that instituted Apartheid. If the survivors of the genocide (both Tutsi and Hutu) are not effectively counseled, who knows in which way it will manifest in 40 years?

And us? Where are we as South Africans on the path to reconciliation? Is SA closer or further from forgiveness and integration? What are we doing to ensure a peaceful future?

Have anyone learned from this tragic history?

You see, promises are beautiful and admission of regret is admirable, Mnr. Annan (UN Secretary General 1997-2006) , but what about the current genocide in Sudan? When will we find a better way to protect innocent civilians than a peacekeeping force who is not allowed to defend? Will you once again admit regret for your silence?

And you, my friend? Will you continue celebrating your forgiveness of sins, while you drink good coffee on your leather couch? Or will you understand the redemption from our sinful nature and step up to be the active new creation that Christ paid for you to be?

I urge you! Stand up. Open your newspaper / News24 app and read. Take your Blackberry and post a relevant Facebook status. Open your ears. Use your mind. Pray with insight. Pray with authority. Speak up. Give of your excess. Give of yourself.

Silence is not ignorance, it is treason against your King.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Qaxkhl-6c