In the village of Mbyo, Rwanda, Mukaremera Laurence listened intently as Nkundiye Thacien recounted the tragic events of 30 years ago when he used a machete to take her husband’s life.
Formerly close neighbors and friends, their lives took a dark turn in 1994 when Thacien was compelled to carry out orders to kill.
Driven by fear for his family’s safety, Thacien found himself caught up in the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, where the ruling Hutu group orchestrated a brutal massacre of the Tutsis, to which Laurence’s husband belonged.
The genocide claimed the lives of over 800,000 individuals, with countless others enduring unspeakable atrocities, including widespread sexual violence against women.
Today, Laurence and Thacien coexist as neighbors in Mbyo, a village transformed from a place of bloodshed to a symbol of resilience and unity. This community is one of six reconciliation villages in Rwanda, where survivors and perpetrators strive to come to terms with their shared past.
While the wounds of the past remain raw, the journey towards reconciliation offers a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing challenges. For many, understanding the truth behind the atrocities and receiving apologies from those responsible have been sources of healing. Yet, for others, the search for closure continues as new revelations come to light.
Nkundiye Thacien, a Hutu, lives alongside Mukaremera Laurence, whose husband he killed 30 years ago when the genocide against the Tutsis started[Andrei Popoviciu/Al…
Source from www.aljazeera.com rnrn
