Question

The film shows that there was a close relationship between the French and Hutu governments, even while the killings were going on. On the tenth anniversary of the genocide, Rwanda's president accused the French of consciously training and arming the Hutus, knowing that they would massacre Tutsis. The French deny this, yet it is indisputable that France was the Rwandan government's number-one supplier of weapons. Does this fact alone make France more culpable for the genocide than the rest of the international community? How should responsibility be allocated for what happened, both inside and outside Rwanda?

How has the international community, in particular Belgium, France, the United States, and the UN, faced up to the question of responsibility and blame in the years since the genocide?

Answer 1

The responsibility for the genocide in Rwanda cannot be solely attributed to one country or group. It was a complex situation that involved internal politics, ethnic tensions, and international power dynamics. However, it is true that France had a particularly close relationship with the Hutu government and supplied them with weapons, which were used to carry out the genocide. This fact alone makes France partially responsible for what happened in Rwanda.

Responsibility should be allocated based on the actions of each country and group involved in the genocide. The Hutu government, militias, and other groups that actively participated in the killings should bear the majority of the responsibility. However, the international community also bears some responsibility for their failure to intervene and prevent the genocide.

Belgium, which had previously colonized Rwanda, has acknowledged its role in creating the ethnic divisions that led to the genocide. They have also apologized for their failure to intervene and stop the killing. The United States and the UN have also acknowledged their failure to act and have taken steps to improve their response to future humanitarian crises.

France, on the other hand, has been more resistant to accepting responsibility for its role in the genocide. They have denied allegations that they trained and armed the Hutus, and have been slow to acknowledge their role in the conflict. However, in recent years, there have been efforts to address this issue. In 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron established a commission to investigate France's role in the genocide and improve relations with Rwanda.

In conclusion, responsibility for the genocide in Rwanda should be allocated based on the actions of each country and group involved. While France's role in supplying weapons to the Hutu government does make them partially responsible, the Hutu government and militias bear the majority of the responsibility. The international community also shares some responsibility for their failure to intervene and prevent the genocide. It is important for all countries involved to acknowledge their role in the conflict and work towards reconciliation and prevention of future atrocities.

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