A group of 22 delegates from Darfur, Sudan, who are in Rwanda in a study tour visited a cooperative of Genocide survivors and convicted genocide perpetrators, working together for a common goal, namely development. The cooperative Ubutwari bwo Kubaho( Courage for effective living) is based in Huye- Karama.
The President of the Cooperative Mukagatare Francoise told the delegates that the will of living effectively was the milestone for the foundation of the cooperative.
This has helped them to overcome the negative feelings that undermined their hearts after experiencing the genocide(both survivors and perpetrators), she revealed .
She confessed that few months after the genocide, a Tutsi was in bad relations with any given Hutu, considering him/her as one the ones who decimated Tutsis.
It was likely impossible to co-exist with the Hutus but we are currently sharing all the necessities of life, Mukagatare told the Sudanese delegation.
Mukagatare added that with the time, the wounds of the genocide healed and the unity started arising among the ‘former enemies’.
Hope has emerged and cohabitation replaced discomfort and unanimity between us, she revealed.
One of the convicted genocide perpetrators called Nkurikiyinka Philippe told the Sudanese delegation that he confessed his deeds to the survivors and begged for pardon.
This has improved the relations between the survivors and the perpetrators, he underlined.
He added that before making that step towards unity, he felt discomfort and shame to meet and exchange with the survivors.
The Head of the Sudanese delegation Adam Ibrahim Adam said that Rwandans have reached an effective stage of reconciliation.
He said that reconciliation among Rwandans is a model to the rest of the world especially to countries that undergone troubles.
Adam Ibrahim Adam expressed his former feelings about Rwandans saying that he thought they were full of hatred and undermined by disunion.
The ‘Ubutwari bwo Kubaho’ cooperative comprised of 30 persons at its creation but the number has increased, making them 330 members.
In 2011, they have been awarded by the President of Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame for their unequaled love that unite them despite sad history.
UM– USEKE.RW
