Dreams of Kigali and home

In 2014, Rwanda and the world commemorated the 20th anniversary of the genocide. At the time, Paul Rusesabagina was living in Texas and enjoying what he thought were the protections afforded to him as a Belgian citizen and permanent U.S. resident. Today, as he sits in jail and on trial for crimes he did not commit, this piece he wrote back then carries a different significance.

By Paul Rusesabagina

Rwandans can’t remain silent on human rights abuses

I wish I could be in Kigali. This month especially I wish I could be in Kigali for the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide. I wish I could be in Kigali every other day because it is my home and I miss it. Sadly, I was not invited and am not welcome.

20 years ago I spent the days of Genocide as a hotel manager, sheltering as many people as I could at the Hotel Milles Collines. I spent those long days and nights desperately trying to reach the outside world and to keep everyone in my care alive. I believed that if the international community heard what was going on in Rwanda, they would come and save us from slaughter. I called and called and no one came. I knew that at any time I could be dead and that the 1,268 people who sought shelter at the Hotel Milles Collines would be dead as well. But somehow we survived.