Reconciliation in Rwanda : perspectives from the parliament

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the meaning of political reconciliation in Rwanda and the ways this is expressed. Thus, Rwandan Senators were interviewed to understand their interpretations of reconciliation in Rwanda. Furthermore, it seeks to understand the tools of reconciliation used in Rwanda and how Senators feel these contribute to the reconciliation process. This study attempts to understand the political through the personal.

Political reconciliation is approached by analyzing and applying Andrew Schaap’s concept of political reconciliation and Carl Schmitt’s concept of the political. The research material was collected in Rwanda by interviewing 12 Senators in the Rwandan Parliament. Of the 12 interviews conducted, 8 are used in this study. Qualitative interviewing was used, with a semistructured interview format.

The study found that the Rwandan concept of political reconciliation is an attempt to reformulate the primary political identification from an ethnic one to a national one. It also finds that this is attempting to be done through the creation of a shared national experience, which the gacaca process highlights.