John Rutayisire Discusses Reconciliation and Forgiveness in Rwanda

"When we talk about reconciliation we imply that something has gone wrong somewhere. And before we reconcile as a group of Rwandans, I need to reconcile with myself as a survivor, as a perpetrator. The perpetrator needs to acknowledge that they have done something wrong before they can think of the next step of asking for forgiveness...

To me forgiveness implies a deep level of personal analysis. And we have also to remember that the real people who are in a position to forgive are dead. Those who are remaining--and my wife is a survivor--they can only talk on the behalf of those who are dead. So sometimes you also need to ask yourself 'who am I to talk on the behalf of somebody who is dead?'"