Rwanda Beyond War: Truth and Reconciliation (pt. 1)

Perhaps the most formative modern historical moment for people in Central and East Africa was the shooting down of an airplane containing Rwandan President Habyarimana in April of 1994. The assassination effectively ended peace accords in Rwanda, acted as a catalyst for the Rwandan Genocide, led to the regional dominance of the RPF, led to the Great Lakes refugee crisis, led to ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and, led to the significant regional presence of Rwandan-Ugandan military forces.

In October 2011, RPF insider and former ranking government official, Theogene Rudasingwa, reported what others in Rwanda and international circles had already said: current Rwandan President Paul Kagame ordered the assassination of President Habyarimana.

Additionally, dominant narratives that "The Rwandan Genocide" was only in one direction, Hutu against Tutsi, and that the US establishment was not involved in the 1994 regime change in Rwanda are now in contention.

This video includes Theogene Rudasingwa's comments regarding his October confession. Former US Ambassador to Rwanda, Robert Flaten, former lead defense counsel for the ITCR, Peter Erlinder, real-life protagonist of the film "Hotel Rwanda", Paul Rusesabagina, and former Somali Prime Minister Ali Galaydh provide context and hope for truth and reconciliation for Rwandans. (filmed Nov. 28, 2011, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul)