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"Rwanda's Kagame is Damaging his
Country"
German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul (SPD) discusses the president of Rwanda, the war in Central Africa and Germany's potential role in the Africa crisis
Wieczorek-Zeul: We don't. We provide direct assistance to people in a country that still faces tremendous burdens as a consequence of the 1994 genocide. SPIEGEL: About 70 percent of the Rwandan government's national budget consists of Western development aid. It would be easy to exert pressure on the Rwandans by removing their source of funds. Wieczorek-Zeul: Germany provides no budgetary aid to Rwanda. Our foreign aid is designed to support the reconciliation process. This includes, for example, bringing the perpetrators of the genocide to trial. We also help survivors and the families of victims. SPIEGEL: Germany has spent more than 150 million euros on projects in Rwanda since 1994. The money also benefits the country's politicians. Wieczorek-Zeul: Ten years ago, the global community looked the other way when 800,000 people were slaughtered in Rwanda. We owe a profound debt to this country, and our way of repaying that debt is to help its civil society. SPIEGEL: Are you lenient with Rwanda because of its horrendous history? Wieczorek-Zeul: Absolutely not. But I refuse to punish the widows and children of those murdered because of their government's behavior. SPIEGEL: Rwandan President Paul Kagame is a repeat offender. His troops have already invaded eastern Congo twice before -- in 1996 and 1998. Now he's threatening to invade again. Wieczorek-Zeul: I find his behavior completely incomprehensible. He is damaging himself and his country. But one mustn't forget that Rwanda is also setting an example in many respects. Kagame has done a lot to educate children and fight poverty. There is no point in portraying him as a tyrant. SPIEGEL: Rwanda is clearly intent upon pursuing its own interests in the eastern Congo. Many different groups and governments have been fighting for years to gain control over valuable natural resources. About four million people have already died as a result. Wieczorek-Zeul: Nothing is black and white in this region. Rwanda also has security interests. The Interahamwe rebels, who were responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, are committing serious crimes in eastern Congo. A lot of people in Rwanda are still terrified of these groups.
Wieczorek-Zeul: We need a stable peace process. This means that the UN Security Council must pay serious and not half-hearted attention to the region's problems. SPIEGEL: And then? Wieczorek-Zeul: It must be made clear to everyone involved that threats or even military action are unacceptable. Those who violate this principle should expect to face the consequences. This also applies to Rwanda. SPIEGEL: That sounds rather ineffective. Wieczorek-Zeul: No, it isn't. The global community certainly has ways to exert pressure. In March, the World Bank will decide whether to forgive Rwanda's international debt -- several hundred million euros -- once and for all. If the country fails to seriously take part in the peace process, I will argue for cancellation of the debt forgiveness program. SPIEGEL: It appears that Rwanda is already active in the Congo. Observers report that small numbers of regular troops have already crossed the border. Wieczorek-Zeul: That hasn't been verified yet. But the fundamental problem is that the entire region is extremely difficult to navigate and control. For this reason, the most important requirement is that the UN introduce aerial monitoring. This would enable UN peacekeepers to detect and prevent troop movements and weapons shipments. SPIEGEL: The United Nations have had thousands of troops deployed in the Congo for a long time. The locals mock them as "tourists," because they don't get involved. Wieczorek-Zeul: The UN force in the Congo must exercise its mandate. One thing is clear, however: There is no military solution for this region. Everyone involved must realize that they are better off working together than shooting at one another. INTERVIEW: HORAND KNAUP, ROLAND NELLES |
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