Former Belgian senator Alain Destexhe has condemned the Belgian government’s antagonistic stance towards Rwanda, invoking historical grievances and claiming this attitude is leading to renewed tensions. He argues for greater neutrality and awareness of historical injustices associated with Belgium’s colonial legacy in relation to Rwanda. Destexhe criticizes the Belgian government’s recent actions, which he views as threatening and misinformed, suggesting that they could provoke adverse reactions.
Alain Destexhe, a former Belgian senator, has criticized the Belgian government for its biased stance on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its anti-Rwanda campaign. This position has reignited historical tensions in Rwanda, which had been partially alleviated by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt’s apology in 2000. Destexhe argues that Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot improperly characterized Rwanda’s diplomatic actions as disproportionate following Rwanda’s decision to sever ties after Belgium’s perceived neo-colonial behavior.
In his remarks on social media, Destexhe highlighted Belgium’s aggressive posture aimed at swaying the European Union and other international organizations against Rwanda. He contended that Belgium should maintain neutrality instead of siding with the Congolese government, which has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels. He noted that this marked a notable shift in Belgium’s approach to regional conflicts since 1994.
Furthermore, Destexhe pointed out that Belgium’s actions manifest a deeper historical issue, referencing its colonial legacy in Rwanda and the divisions it fostered through ethnic classifications. He recalled the violent consequences of Belgium’s abrupt policy changes in 1959, which led to the first ethnic cleansing of the Tutsi and subsequent mass exiles. He advocated for acknowledgment of these historical injustices to inform present-day diplomacy.
Reflecting on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Destexhe criticized Belgium for failing to act on early warning signs and for advocating the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces, thereby enabling genocide. He lamented the continued political ties to the genocidal regime by certain Belgian political parties and expressed concern over the current government’s apparent ignorance of this history.
Destexhe expressed disapproval of a Belgian Parliament resolution that characterized Rwanda as a threat and called for the suspension of economic agreements and aid. He argued that this reflects a profound misunderstanding of the regional situation, suggesting that such hostility and threats from the Belgian government could provoke a backlash. Destexhe cautioned against the current government’s irresponsible disregard for historical context and the implications of its actions.
In conclusion, Alain Destexhe’s criticisms underscore the complexities of Belgium’s historical relationship with Rwanda amidst recent diplomatic tensions. He emphasizes that Belgium’s present actions mirror past missteps, suggesting that a failure to acknowledge history may lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Furthermore, he advocates for a more neutral stance in regional issues and calls for recognition of the historical context that has shaped contemporary relations between Belgium and Rwanda.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
