Rutendo Apology to President Kagame and Rwanda

Rutendo's Apology to President Kagame: A Truth-Finding Mission in the DRC and Rwanda. Join us as he visits Goma to uncover the realities behind Western propaganda and promote a deeper understanding of the region's complexities.

Our guest this week is Rutendo Matinyarare. A renowned Zimbabwean activist and online voice in the Pan-African space, Rutendo is is the Chairperson of Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement (ZASM) and founder of Zimbabweans Unite Against US War Sanctions (ZUAUWS).

In his apology Rutendo said that, I know that this way of thinking stems from an inferiority complex and a lack of knowledge. I once believed I was above such ignorance, incapable of feeling jealousy. However, my experience in Rwanda has forced me to confront the truth: I have been ignorant, tribalistic, and yes, even jealous. I thought that what was being promoted in Kagali was some sort of illusion; I couldn’t fathom how any African nation could achieve such success—especially considering how Harare has lost its luster and deteriorated under new municipal management. It was hard for me to accept that while my situation was declining and losing its standards, there was an African country where leaders were not only maintaining but elevating high standards. Recognizing this made me uncomfortable, as it implied I was not the best. My jealousy and tribalism clouded my judgment.

Part of my reason for being in Kigali today is to address these feelings—almost as a form of therapy—to come to terms with my own shortcomings.

Interviewer: We shall discuss his past views on Rwanda and the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Pan-Africanism, the power of media in creating narratives, the truth of what is happening in Zimbabwe and his thoughts on the ongoing crisis in the DRC and Rwanda.

Watch the full video.

Interviewer: I know you've been traveling all over the region it's quite an honour for you to have graced me with your presence.

Rutendo: Thank you so much.

Interviewer: You must be exhausted but we we'll make this fun I would like to ask you is this your very first time in Kigali Rwanda and if it's so what's been your experience so far?

Rutendo: Yes it's been my first time in Kigali and uh um it's a place I never actually knew or thought I would ever be but I'm here now in Kigali has been a mind-blowing experience.

It has been a mind opener as well because I just never knew that African cities and African leaders can build something so organized seamless and more importantly bring a people who unity of purpose. What’ve seen here so I've been blown away what surprised you the most to see a city that feels like an upmarket office Park in most of the places that you go flowers everywhere well-manicured loans flowers well-kept as if they kept by a botanist uhm trees and clean.

Interviewer: You believed that what was presented to you was a falsehood. What was happening? Why the surprise?

Rutendo: You’ve hit the nail on the head; I thought Kigali was merely a facade. It's important to clarify that a major reason for my presence here is my realization that my knowledge was lacking. I came to Kigali seeking firsthand experience, believing I understood what it was all about. I had always viewed President Kagame as a magician pulling rabbits out of hats, and I thought of Kigali as a mere illusion—until I arrived and discovered that the attention to detail and beauty extend from Kigali all the way to Gisenyi.

Typically, many places boast a stunning front office while their back office is a mess. However, here, I've observed that the dedication to detail is genuine. The meticulousness stems from a leadership that truly embodies it, which is evident everywhere. I was astonished by aspects such as the attention to detail in the food—its taste and presentation—things I hadn’t expected, as I thought it was all a trick.

Interviewer: As someone who has lived here my entire life, I find it difficult to comprehend the perception that this is some sort of trick. How can one pull off such a deception, and why would someone as knowledgeable as yourself think that our state could orchestrate something like that?

Rutendo: This thinking stems from an inferiority complex and a lack of knowledge. I believed I was above such ignorance, incapable of jealousy. However, my experience in Rwanda has forced me to confront the truth: I've been ignorant, tribalistic, and yes, even jealous. I thought what was being promoted in Kagali was some sort of illusion; I couldn't fathom how any African nation could achieve such success—especially considering how Harare has lost its lustre and deteriorated under new municipal management.

It was hard for me to accept that while we were declining and losing our standards, there was an African country where leaders were not only maintaining but elevating high standards. Recognizing this made me uncomfortable, as it implied we were not the best. My jealousy and tribalism clouded my judgment.

Part of my reason for being in Kigali today is to address these feelings—almost as a form of therapy—coming to terms with my own shortcomings.

Interviewer: Switching gears, I've also seen that you've mentioned on social media that you're working on a documentary about the Congo conflict and its various complexities. You've visited areas controlled by M23 and have been to refugee camps housing Congolese refugees who have sought asylum in Rwanda for nearly 30 years. You shared some photos on social media, but I’d love to hear about your actual experiences. What did you see? Who did you talk to? What insights did you gain?

Rutendo: Yes, this documentary aims to share information, but while doing so, I’m also learning. I realized that I, too, was misled by the misinformation about Rwanda, its people, and its relationship with Congo. I have been a victim of the propaganda and indoctrination that colonialism inflicted on us, which led us to believe we were divided by different tribes, some more "African" than others.

The trip to Rwanda and Congo has offered me significant perspective. I’ve come to understand that the concept of "Hamitic" people does not hold up; it illustrates that we have been handed a poisoned chalice, believing in tribal constructs that make some Africans seem more legitimate than others. My journey through Congo clarified that the crisis there is not a Rwandan issue nor is it instigated by Rwanda; it is, in fact, Congolese people fighting within their own land, often fuelled by the same misinformation that has created divisions among brothers and sisters who have coexisted long before colonialism.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to engage with M23 members and explore whether they are rebels, terrorists, or freedom fighters. My findings lead me to believe they are freedom fighters. These are individuals who have been separated from their homeland. Understanding that Rwanda was a kingdom long before Belgium's influence through the Berlin Conference helped me see the larger picture—one in which Rwandan lands were split, and its kings were silenced in the name of division.

The relationship between the Rwandan people and the Belgians, as well as the Germans before them, was characterized by strategies aimed at division. The colonizers sought to create and exacerbate class distinctions among the Rwandan population, which subsequently infiltrated Congo. I learned that there are Congolese individuals identified as Kinyarwanda speakers who are told, "This is not your country; this is not your land," despite the fact that it is indeed their homeland. They are invited to return to Rwanda, but only without their land. This situation has led to ongoing tribal conflicts and discrimination, fostered by those who wish to retain control over the wealth of the displaced, while expecting these communities to leave their resources behind when they return.

As a result, these marginalized groups are now fighting for their political, social, cultural, and human rights. They are compelled to demand rights that should be inalienable, all because the remnants of colonial constructs persist, even under the leadership of Black individuals.

During my time there, I spoke with the chairman of M23, Bizima. I had the opportunity to sit down with him, having previously met in Addis Ababa two weeks prior. He understood my interest in discussing the Congolese conflict, which facilitated our midnight meeting. We recorded our conversation to gain insights into who M23 truly is and whether they are genuinely from Rwanda or elsewhere.

It became clear that they are, in fact, Congolese. Bizima himself looks and sounds very Congolese, not fitting the typical description of a Rwandan man. We discovered that the group originates from Bunagana, where their stronghold is located. Interestingly, there appeared to be closer ties to their retreat point in Uganda rather than Rwanda, as they faced persecution as Congolese people.

Moreover, the group comprises various ethnicities, challenging the misconception that M23 represents solely a Rwandan Tutsi faction. This revelation made me reflect on my own past assumptions. I realized I had previously contributed to the narrative that labelled this group as Rwandan without having the proper facts. I came to understand that this was an example of "helicopter journalism," where one claims expertise based on second-hand anecdotes and literature rather than firsthand experience. The trip to Congo opened my eyes to how misguided my previous perceptions had been, and more importantly, it forced me to confront the motivations behind my statements. I had to acknowledge elements of tribalism within myself, stemming from a misguided belief in my own superiority as an African.

As for Goma, many of us from the region view it as just another city, familiar to us through friendships and family connections. From your perspective in Southern Africa, Goma might seem like a mysterious place—often appearing in the news but rarely seen up close. It serves as a backdrop to tragedy and conflict, rarely being portrayed positively.

I noticed you were at the airport and possibly had the chance to see where the Southern African forces are stationed. What was that experience like? From what I understand, my journey didn’t actually begin in Goma.