Rwanda scores big with handover of suspects

As Kenyans wallow in the miasma of ethnic polarisation sparked by political sycophants claiming to support four individuals facing trial at The Hague, something significant has been happening in Rwanda, a country whose people know better than any one in East Africa the dangers of ethnic balkanisation.

Leon Mugesera, a former professor at the National University of Rwanda was handed over to Kigali on January 24.

Also to be handed over is Pastor Jean Uwinkindi from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda based in Arusha.

For those familiar with Rwanda’s tragic history, Kigali has for long sought the deportation of the two gentlemen to stand trial for their alleged roles in the 1994 genocide that largely targeted the country’s Tutsi population and their Hutu allies.

Rwanda was previously unable to convince authorities abroad to hand over the two because its courts were perceived to be incapable of carrying out a fair trial of the accused. Things have since changed, especially after a French judge ruled that the Rwanda Patriotic Front government of President Paul Kagame was behind the killing of former President Juvenal Habyarimana.

Reform judiciary

Rather than disparage the ICTR in Arusha, Kagame’s government gave it time, and only demanded Uwinkindi’s return after being frustrated by the slow pace of the tribunal.

In between Rwanda went to work to improve its Judiciary and opened its prisons and courts to the international community.

The lesson for Kenya, is that while it cannot change the course of things at the ICC, it should not stop reforming the Judiciary.

In the fullness of time Kenyans’ faith in their courts will be restored.