The man who inspired 'Hotel Rwanda' is still taking risks for his country

During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, bravely sheltered over 1,200 people in his hotel and kept them safe from harm. His heroic actions were portrayed in the movie "Hotel Rwanda," and although he has lived in exile since 1996, he continues to care about his country and speak out against its government. Despite the horrors of the genocide, Rusesabagina's story is a testament to the power of humanity and bravery in the face of adversity. The BBC and other sponsors provide information and inspiration to help us understand the world's stories, allowing us to reflect on the past and consider the future. Companies like Chevron are also taking steps to make a difference, such as managing methane emissions to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Paul Rusesabagina, a former hotel manager turned human rights activist, shares his harrowing experience of being kidnapped, tried, and imprisoned in Rwanda for nearly three years. His communication with family was limited to weekly five-minute phone calls, during which they spoke in proverbs due to the fear of surveillance. Upon release, Rusesabagina was asked to keep quiet about his experiences and the government's actions. However, he couldn't remain silent due to pleas from fellow prisoners, who urged him to continue speaking for them. Today, despite the risks involved, Rusesabagina continues to openly criticize the Rwandan government, believing that it is his mission and that he will die only when it's determined by God. Rwanda's practice of transnational repression further emphasizes the risks associated with speaking out against the government.

While some may argue that Rwanda has experienced peace and economic advancement under President Kagame, the cost has been the suppression of human rights and freedom of speech. The use of surveillance technology like Pegasus on activists and opposition figures exposes this issue. The international community must not turn a blind eye to this and should support the protection of those defending democracy and human rights. The contrasting realities of the elite's wonder of Kigali and the suffering of those in other areas highlights the unsustainable nature of development at the expense of freedom. Allies of Paul Kagame should respect the agency of the Rwandan people and allow them to choose their own rulers. Despite the current dictatorship, the active and determined Rwandan population is poised for change.

Key takeaway from this conversation between Paul Rusesabagina and Anais Kanemba is the complex and tense political situation in Rwanda. Rusesabagina, a former hotel manager known for saving over a thousand lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, expressed his desire to return to his home country but cannot due to fear of persecution. He described Rwanda as a "boiling volcano" that could erupt at any moment and highlighted the silencing of voices within the country. The Rwandan government responded with a statement denying Rusesabagina's claims of torture and emphasizing the freedom of speech within the country's laws. The conversation underscores the ongoing challenges and tensions in Rwanda, with millions of people outside the country longing to return and many voices within it silenced or suppressed.