In an Article by Global publishers in TZ, entitled; RWANDA’s reactions to President Kikwete’ statement are shocking to say the least”. The writer lamps up so many facts all in confusion, as if he was eager to demonstrate his expertise on issues of the region and beyond..!
He tries to compare FDLR with ANC, and UNITA, the writer seems ignorant of the passing of time, and that both of the said organizations operated in their countries. He seems ignorant that Jonas Savimbi the UNITA rebel leader was killed in action by the MPLA government, before he was forced to surrender and join the government on its terms…!
The writer prefers to refer to his president H.E President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete – as a seasoned and consummate diplomat who has helped broker many peace deals in Africa. “This is the big boy mentality”. While I will not comment on all his views as raised in the article, I wish to give my opinion as to why the writer burst out to reveal such a sense of loss in him…!!!
For a long time, Tz has been hiding behind their success story against Idi Amin (The 1978/9 War in Uganda), yet times have changed. Even then it was because of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s prudent political acumen and Pan Africanist feelings that enabled him such a Diplomatic and Military success. This gave TZ a constant feeling of success year after year even without any imagination of involvement in any affair in the region.
Successive TZ governments did not realize that in Politics like everywhere in life, political and military glory will diminish if no efforts are made to sustain it. In order to sustain their glory especially in East Africa, TZ quickly opted to make alliances with imagined economic heavy weight blocs like (SADC). Economically, and Militarily, TZ continues to lag behind because of being ideologically conservative and lacks clear policies yet she remains East Africa’s largest in size, and with abundant resources.
Hence Rwanda with her small size and population compared to TZ, is expected to be viewed as a boy in the region NOT a Man. Therefore, TZ would feel leveraged by Rwanda and Burundi’s weak positions. They have to retain the status of underdogs or else they will be labeled bad children..
Some TZ Political and Military analysts have earlier said openly that they only learned of Rwanda having an Army with the Emergency of the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) now RDF on the scene..! (1994 – to date).
Tanzania would never have imagined an emergency of a strong state in Rwanda, given her past feeble political and Military position in the region..! Moreover, Rwanda later militarily humiliated SADC when the later tempted her in support of the Late president of DRC, Laurent Desire Kabila, Who himself died mysteriously in the conflict. This, SADC did not expect of Rwanda; SADC has tried with difficulty to swallow its pride on this…!
Therefore; they must be feeling uncomfortable with Rwanda’s growing influence in the region.
Armed that past distortion, and their historical arrogance, TZ aims at repairing her image by promoting Rwanda’s opposition (Kayumba Nyamwasa, Karegeya, Rudasingwa etc), whom every Rwandan knows they have allied with Genocidal forces for their political survival.
But, Kikwete tries to be smart here. In order to succeed on his scheme, he tried to make it appear all round. He advances another argument. He brings on board the Lord’s resistance Army of Joseph Kony of Uganda. As if Rwanda does not have the lenses to read into his intentions.
However in trying to help them achieve on their agenda, Kikwete is conscious of risking political humiliation. He is now hiding behind the UN curtain to drum support for them with view to rise their political profile..! Yet as a force contributor, the world expects him to be neutral in the DRC conflict.. He has failed to strike a balance….
This, Kikwete is doing in utter disregard of two things. First: Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy of non interference in the region, second; His alliance with genocidal forces against Rwanda.
In TZ, he is desecrating Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy in the region, whose wife and children were decorated in Rwanda on behalf of Nyerere and the Tanzanian people for his role in defeating genocide in Rwanda. They have remained with Rwanda on every Commemoration Day.
This therefore, may cost him his political career if he misses out on STRATEGY and loses the fight. He also risks rubbing his fingers in Rwanda’s eyes hence triggering a Diplomatic Impasse because of Rwanda’s allergy against anything to do with the Genocide ideology…!
Yet, hidden from public view is TZ “UNDER SKIN feelings.” According to them (TZ), Uganda has influenced changes in Rwanda, DRC, Burundi, South Sudan and now Somalia. Rwanda has influenced in Burundi, DRC & Darfur. Kenya entered recently, together with Uganda and Burundi small and poor as she is, they are making progress in Somalia. TZ has influenced non & feels left out.
It’s not that TZ does not understand the history of the FDLR; Kikwete knows that very well, given the writer summation of him as “a seasoned and consummate diplomat who has helped broker many peace deals in Africa”. But he has a mission to fulfill.
Since the Kayumba and Karegeya group went into exile, no country has ever openly declared support for them. Apart from South Africa giving the sanctuary. As we move towards 2017 general elections, TZ aims at coming to their rescue and propel them into political spotlight.
With this in mind, TZ hopes to install a puppet government in Rwanda, or one in which they have individuals of their own, so that they can propel their international reputation. It’s not a surprise that Kayumba’s recent BBC talk came just a day after President Kikwete’s Addis speech..! Let’s watch….!