THERE are strong arguments for South Africa’s withdrawal from the arms trade. But – the decision having been made that we cannot afford to shut down the industry – it is difficult to understand the furious objections from some quarters at the proposed sale of weapons to the Rwandan government.
Critics who oppose weapons shipments to that tiny, tragic nation raise a number of objections. They say Rwanda is still effectively at war, its government is not democratic, and the supply of yet more guns will further destabilise the region, including war-torn Burundi and chaotic Zaire.
To some extent this is true. Rwanda has never had a democratic government and is unlikely to enjoy one for many years. The present administration cannot even be said to command popular support. Real power lies with the Tutsi minority, particularly the military.
But the government came to power having ousted one of the most obscene regimes since the Nazis. The former Hutu government oversaw the extermination of an estimated 800 000 Tutsis – about 10% of Rwanda’s population – in a matter of weeks in 1994. The killers should be on trial. Instead, they are trying to fight their way to power again on the backs of two million Hutus in camps which are less refugee centres than bases for destabilisation.
Hutu militias and soldiers, who so pitilessly murdered even the youngest Tutsi, regularly raid Rwanda from Zaire. They murder survivors of the genocide, local officials and even their fellow Hutus in order to perpetuate division and instability. If neighbouring Burundi collapses into a full-blown civil war, Hutu extremists plan to push the conflict across the border into Rwanda. The hand of Zaire’s dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, is clearly visible.
Under such circumstances, there is a strong moral argument for helping the Rwandan government defend the country against those who are intent on reviving genocide. Nothing could be more destabilising to the region than if these criminals were to seize power once again.
But if South Africa is going to sell arms to the rest of Africa, it must also shoulder the responsibilities that come with the trade. A crucial test looms with the visit next week by United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher. He will be pushing Washington’s plan for a US-financed, African-manned standing military intervention force. If it gets off the ground, the force’s first task will probably be in Rwanda’s troubled neighbour, Burundi.
Christopher will be looking for South African support and commitment. If we give it, we can claim to be peace-makers in Africa. If we fail to do so, we will stand accused of merely seeking to profit from the woes of the continent.