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God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation
A harrowing tale of survival and reconciliation by a Rwandan Tutsi who flees his homeland before the 1994 genocide and later returns to be elected speaker of the Rwandan parliament, only to be forced into exile once again
This memoir tells the story of Joseph Sebarenzi, whose parents, seven siblings, and countless other family members were among 800,000 Tutsi brutally murdered over the course of ninety days in 1994 by extremist Rwandan Hutu -- an efficiency that exceeded even that of the Nazi Holocaust.
Outbreaks of ethnic violence had been occurring in Rwanda since colonial times when the Belgians ruled the region. As a child, Sebarenzi twice hid with his mother during episodes of killing, narrowly escaping with his life. When he was a teenager, his father sent him away to school in Congo, telling him, "If we are killed, you will survive." Sebarenzi returned to Rwanda after the genocide and was elected speaker of parliament. But he then learned of a plot to assassinate him, leading him to once again flee the country in a daring escape.
The poetic title of the book is taken from an old saying, "God spends the day elsewhere, but He sleeps in Rwanda," but this African nation is not alone in having had a shameful history of ethnic violence. God Sleeps in Rwanda demonstrates how horrific events can occur when the rest of the world stands by and does nothing. It also shows us how the lessons of Rwanda can prevent future tragedies from happening in that country and other parts of the world. Readers will be inspired by the eloquence and wisdom of a man who has every reason to be bitter and hateful, but chooses instead to live a life of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
This memoir tells the story of Joseph Sebarenzi, whose parents, seven siblings, and countless other family members were among 800,000 Tutsi brutally murdered over the course of ninety days in 1994 by extremist Rwandan Hutu -- an efficiency that exceeded even that of the Nazi Holocaust.
Outbreaks of ethnic violence had been occurring in Rwanda since colonial times when the Belgians ruled the region. As a child, Sebarenzi twice hid with his mother during episodes of killing, narrowly escaping with his life. When he was a teenager, his father sent him away to school in Congo, telling him, "If we are killed, you will survive." Sebarenzi returned to Rwanda after the genocide and was elected speaker of parliament. But he then learned of a plot to assassinate him, leading him to once again flee the country in a daring escape.
The poetic title of the book is taken from an old saying, "God spends the day elsewhere, but He sleeps in Rwanda," but this African nation is not alone in having had a shameful history of ethnic violence. God Sleeps in Rwanda demonstrates how horrific events can occur when the rest of the world stands by and does nothing. It also shows us how the lessons of Rwanda can prevent future tragedies from happening in that country and other parts of the world. Readers will be inspired by the eloquence and wisdom of a man who has every reason to be bitter and hateful, but chooses instead to live a life of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2009
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August 5, 2012
The Rwandan genocide is one of those events that looms in my mind as something that happened when I was alive but too young to really understand that there was a world outside of my country, or even my community, really. Politics was something that came via the television, an artifact of the history we were studying in school, not a daily fact of life. War and genocide was something that had happened in the past, long ago and far away. I was lucky, because I grew up in Canada, where hardship is visited upon fewer people than most places (though still far too many). I’ve always had a roof over my head, clean water and plenty of food, not to mention electricity. Oh, and I’ve never had a mob try to burn my house or kill me simply because I happened to be the unpopular ethnicity de jour. (September 11 was kind of my personal geopolitical moment of awakening. I was in Grade 7. I remember coming home for lunch and my mom telling me someone had attacked the towers in New York.
God Sleeps in Rwanda is about the genocide, and about the efforts to move past it in the late 1990s. It’s also an intensely personal tale by someone who was born and raised in Rwanda. Joseph Sebarenzi understands the terror of having one’s home and life threatened by a genocidal mob. Although he was not present for the events of 1994, he later returned to Rwanda and became Speaker of the Parliament, where he played an integral role in trying to wrest power back from the hands of the executive branch and restore rule of law. Though his attempts were largely unsuccessful, the struggle itself is moving, even haunting. Sebarenzi and his co-author, Laura Ann Mullane, create a tenuous balance between the heartbreaking recounting of each successive blow to freedom and peace in Rwanda and Sebarenzi’s relentless optimism.
I read, and loved, Shake Hands with the Devil . Yet Roméo Dallaire’s perspective is that of an outsider. He entered Rwanda with certain pre-conceptions and ideas acquired as a result of his upbringing. This isn’t a criticism of him or his book, which is an amazing chronicle of the international community’s failure to react to the Rwandan genocide. But it’s a limitation that makes books like God Sleeps in Rwanda a welcome counterpart to Shake Hands with the Devil. Sebarenzi exposes us to a viewpoint that isn’t Western or Eurocentric. He can cut through the “centuries of tribal genocide” myth or any other colonial misconceptions about life in Rwanda and tell us how it is (if we are willing to listen).
I enjoyed reading Sebarenzi’s account of the political machinations afoot following Rwanda’s supposed transition to democracy under Bizimungu and Kagame. Sebarenzi was right in the thick of it, actively working to promote rule of law. He also doesn’t conceal his own blindness, at the time, towards Kagame’s deviousness. He honestly believed Kagame was interested in instituting democratic reforms up until the point where it became clear Kagame was only interested in holding on to power. This kind of insider’s account of trying to stabilize a fledgling democracy is fascinating and valuable.
That relentless optimism of Sebarenzi’s is what makes the book worth reading. As I said in my review of Shake Hands with the Devil, genocide is depressing. Sebarenzi doesn’t go into as much detail about the genocide—in many ways, the bulk of the book focuses on the recovery efforts afterwards—but what he lacks in detail he makes up for in the personal connection to some of the victims. Moreover, the Rwandan genocide marked a kind of death of Rwanda as a unified nation … Sebarenzi has now lost his homeland twice, and it isn’t even being occupied by a foreign power.
So for him to write that he’s still hopeful, he still wants reconciliation and forgiveness and reparation … that’s kind of amazing. It reminds me of the Dalai Lama’s attitude towards China. Sebarenzi by no means sees what the perpetrators of the genocide did as justified or acceptable—but he doesn’t demonize them either. He understands their motivations. And he categorically rejects the idea that revenge is the best thing on offer right now. This kind of fairness and compassion is everything we need in a world increasingly polarized by rhetoric and radicalism … and now I sound like a movie trailer narrator.
God Sleeps in Rwanda is about the genocide, and about the efforts to move past it in the late 1990s. It’s also an intensely personal tale by someone who was born and raised in Rwanda. Joseph Sebarenzi understands the terror of having one’s home and life threatened by a genocidal mob. Although he was not present for the events of 1994, he later returned to Rwanda and became Speaker of the Parliament, where he played an integral role in trying to wrest power back from the hands of the executive branch and restore rule of law. Though his attempts were largely unsuccessful, the struggle itself is moving, even haunting. Sebarenzi and his co-author, Laura Ann Mullane, create a tenuous balance between the heartbreaking recounting of each successive blow to freedom and peace in Rwanda and Sebarenzi’s relentless optimism.
I read, and loved, Shake Hands with the Devil . Yet Roméo Dallaire’s perspective is that of an outsider. He entered Rwanda with certain pre-conceptions and ideas acquired as a result of his upbringing. This isn’t a criticism of him or his book, which is an amazing chronicle of the international community’s failure to react to the Rwandan genocide. But it’s a limitation that makes books like God Sleeps in Rwanda a welcome counterpart to Shake Hands with the Devil. Sebarenzi exposes us to a viewpoint that isn’t Western or Eurocentric. He can cut through the “centuries of tribal genocide” myth or any other colonial misconceptions about life in Rwanda and tell us how it is (if we are willing to listen).
I enjoyed reading Sebarenzi’s account of the political machinations afoot following Rwanda’s supposed transition to democracy under Bizimungu and Kagame. Sebarenzi was right in the thick of it, actively working to promote rule of law. He also doesn’t conceal his own blindness, at the time, towards Kagame’s deviousness. He honestly believed Kagame was interested in instituting democratic reforms up until the point where it became clear Kagame was only interested in holding on to power. This kind of insider’s account of trying to stabilize a fledgling democracy is fascinating and valuable.
That relentless optimism of Sebarenzi’s is what makes the book worth reading. As I said in my review of Shake Hands with the Devil, genocide is depressing. Sebarenzi doesn’t go into as much detail about the genocide—in many ways, the bulk of the book focuses on the recovery efforts afterwards—but what he lacks in detail he makes up for in the personal connection to some of the victims. Moreover, the Rwandan genocide marked a kind of death of Rwanda as a unified nation … Sebarenzi has now lost his homeland twice, and it isn’t even being occupied by a foreign power.
So for him to write that he’s still hopeful, he still wants reconciliation and forgiveness and reparation … that’s kind of amazing. It reminds me of the Dalai Lama’s attitude towards China. Sebarenzi by no means sees what the perpetrators of the genocide did as justified or acceptable—but he doesn’t demonize them either. He understands their motivations. And he categorically rejects the idea that revenge is the best thing on offer right now. This kind of fairness and compassion is everything we need in a world increasingly polarized by rhetoric and radicalism … and now I sound like a movie trailer narrator.
March 13, 2016
If you wanted to know more about rwanda and their history on civil war and genocide, this is the best book by far. Saberanzi spoke right from his heart and it is translated in this book. From the history of hutu and tutsi, his childhood, his father, his term as a speaker and how he ended being betrayed by his own countrymen, all of it really touch the core of my heart. While living in exile, saberanzi continued his effort on reconciliation and forgiveness.
January 25, 2018
The author was fortunate to be given an education and was able to escape the worse of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. He talks about these early days with sadness and refrains from inundating the reader with tales of gore, revenge, crowd madness, rape and destruction.
Instead he focuses in his role in the new Parliament of Rwanda were he suddenly finds himself to be the Speaker. He is keen to help the country move along a path of reconciliation but his proposed reforms soon gain the wrath of Kagame, leader of the RPF and soon to become President. Forced to flee for his life, Sebarenzi now teaches and talks about the need for reconciliation and the difficult path it takes to obtain. I think this is the first time I have read the various components needed to make reconciliation work - no wonder it usually fails.
It is the failure of the Rwandan government to address reconciliation that Sebarenzi predicts will ultimately see another round of ethic killing in the future. What struck me was that Kagame is internationally viewed as a success because he has help to grow the economy and that a good economy is good for all. But Sebarenzi argues what is needed is a change in behaviours, values and education else the problems of the past will return. A seemingly common problem across the world.
There is a fair bit about his faith and how this supported him to challenge the Government and continues to sustain him today. But overall this insight into the post-genocide Rwandan government and parliament was fascinating.
Instead he focuses in his role in the new Parliament of Rwanda were he suddenly finds himself to be the Speaker. He is keen to help the country move along a path of reconciliation but his proposed reforms soon gain the wrath of Kagame, leader of the RPF and soon to become President. Forced to flee for his life, Sebarenzi now teaches and talks about the need for reconciliation and the difficult path it takes to obtain. I think this is the first time I have read the various components needed to make reconciliation work - no wonder it usually fails.
It is the failure of the Rwandan government to address reconciliation that Sebarenzi predicts will ultimately see another round of ethic killing in the future. What struck me was that Kagame is internationally viewed as a success because he has help to grow the economy and that a good economy is good for all. But Sebarenzi argues what is needed is a change in behaviours, values and education else the problems of the past will return. A seemingly common problem across the world.
There is a fair bit about his faith and how this supported him to challenge the Government and continues to sustain him today. But overall this insight into the post-genocide Rwandan government and parliament was fascinating.
October 26, 2009
This book offered a lot. First a very concise description of the history of Rwanda, then an account of
the author's experiences in regard to the genocide. Sebarenzi holds the descriptions of actual violence to a minimum. What is amazing is his journey from hatred and a desire for revenge to forgiveness and an amazing effort to bring reconciliation to his country. Joseph Sebarenzi is an incredible man.
the author's experiences in regard to the genocide. Sebarenzi holds the descriptions of actual violence to a minimum. What is amazing is his journey from hatred and a desire for revenge to forgiveness and an amazing effort to bring reconciliation to his country. Joseph Sebarenzi is an incredible man.
December 24, 2013
Genocide-themed stories have always been my liking. However for this particular book, Sebarenzi has kept the violence best at minimal and educate the readers heavily on post-genocide reformations initiated by the government to rebuild the battle-scarred country.
For the first few chapters, he thrilled the readers with tidbits of his childhood memories –the description of Lake Kivu and his appreciation towards the lake and also the honor he felt derived from raising cows were few that I found warm and the missing precious relationship between human and nature in today’s context. He had so little (like his new shoes), yet little Sebarenzi felt most content with what he once had. It works as reflection for my part to know the real worth of the little things surrounding me.
I appreciate Sebarenzi’s attempt to share his experience as the Parliament’s speaker and gave us the truest account on how a government actually works- either for the people, or succumb to their own selfish desires- in an extreme case it is gruesomely titled heavily towards the latter unfortunately. It is disheartening to see that power and money can be so corruptive, and how men heavily consume to the idea that power is central. The strength of few who claimed for reformations, social justice, equality, could not possibly overthrow the more powerful majority who were gravely against it to protect their interests, and the good men who chose to silence themselves aggravated the situation even worse. A quote by Frank Kent reflected this precisely: “The evils of the government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people.”
Reading this book made me think, “All this sounds too familiar.” Perhaps, it really is.
I personally think my country is threading on the same string, dancing to the same music as Rwanda is: a resemblance of a democratic country, multiethnic/multiracial, and divisive by its nature. Colonialism broke the people apart, similar to the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy used by the colonials in my country. Governed by fear, these colonials knew best to keep the local people divided and fragmented by giving power to one party but denied it to another, lest that unity from that part would potentially harm their power. It worked, and the segregated legacy lived on. It seemed that the separation and the broken unity had deeply scarred the people and the possibility to stitch it back is proven to be impossible. Nevertheless, as decades passed by, as colonialism perished, local people managed to emerge as leaders. Yet divided nations are still, divided. This has been invariably caused by the same system that systematically discriminate the people implemented by the colonials has been adopted by the local leaders. This is the internal division that has been caused by the local people, not outsiders, not colonials. Thus, it greatly ensures that the social landscape remains the same as it was thousands of years ago: divided, oppressed, broken, and scarred.
As Sebarenzi claimed nearing the end of the book, the international communities now look at Kagame’s legacy and think that the economic advancements are something worthy to be applauded. Yet, from the worm’s eyes view, on the ground level, we would be able to feel the silent, unspeakable building tension between the people. The system and the policies have exacerbated the tension. The government is at fault. This reminded me of the ‘quota’ or reservation policy implemented in my country, and also another book I currently read on India write about the same reservation policy, a policy that is exercised because it is “essential to reverse centuries of accumulated discrimination.” There are some acceptable explanations in regards of such policies, yet I could not stop myself from thinking that this works as a subtle revenge of the people who were once felt discriminated against, who were once felt they were marginalized. Now that power is in their hands, it is their turn to oppress, to be superior and to win.
Discrimination breeds inequality. Inequality expedites tension. I understand the need of peace, reconciliation and equality that have been preached by Sebarenzi in his book. He knew that without peace and reconciliation, people would think that to break free from such discrimination, they need power. Thus, to have power they need to win. When they win, again, without peace and reconciliation, they will be the next oppressor toward the former oppressor. Without peace and reconciliation, this venomous cycle will continue from generation to generation. To break this cycle however, we need to restore equality that will eliminate the notion of discrimination. Thus in order to promote equality, we need to have a system and policies that is parallel to the notion.
I like the idea of peace education, in which my country is lacking now. We, as the older generation need to shoulder equal responsibility to halt violence, hatred and revenge from muddling our minds and put forward the idea of peaceful nation, one agenda that shall not be infiltrated by politics. This idea must be kept sacred and spared from any malevolence. Our children need to learn and understand what peace, equality, respect of one's lives, dignity, and needs mean. We need to teach them exactly that.
For the first few chapters, he thrilled the readers with tidbits of his childhood memories –the description of Lake Kivu and his appreciation towards the lake and also the honor he felt derived from raising cows were few that I found warm and the missing precious relationship between human and nature in today’s context. He had so little (like his new shoes), yet little Sebarenzi felt most content with what he once had. It works as reflection for my part to know the real worth of the little things surrounding me.
I appreciate Sebarenzi’s attempt to share his experience as the Parliament’s speaker and gave us the truest account on how a government actually works- either for the people, or succumb to their own selfish desires- in an extreme case it is gruesomely titled heavily towards the latter unfortunately. It is disheartening to see that power and money can be so corruptive, and how men heavily consume to the idea that power is central. The strength of few who claimed for reformations, social justice, equality, could not possibly overthrow the more powerful majority who were gravely against it to protect their interests, and the good men who chose to silence themselves aggravated the situation even worse. A quote by Frank Kent reflected this precisely: “The evils of the government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people.”
Reading this book made me think, “All this sounds too familiar.” Perhaps, it really is.
I personally think my country is threading on the same string, dancing to the same music as Rwanda is: a resemblance of a democratic country, multiethnic/multiracial, and divisive by its nature. Colonialism broke the people apart, similar to the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy used by the colonials in my country. Governed by fear, these colonials knew best to keep the local people divided and fragmented by giving power to one party but denied it to another, lest that unity from that part would potentially harm their power. It worked, and the segregated legacy lived on. It seemed that the separation and the broken unity had deeply scarred the people and the possibility to stitch it back is proven to be impossible. Nevertheless, as decades passed by, as colonialism perished, local people managed to emerge as leaders. Yet divided nations are still, divided. This has been invariably caused by the same system that systematically discriminate the people implemented by the colonials has been adopted by the local leaders. This is the internal division that has been caused by the local people, not outsiders, not colonials. Thus, it greatly ensures that the social landscape remains the same as it was thousands of years ago: divided, oppressed, broken, and scarred.
As Sebarenzi claimed nearing the end of the book, the international communities now look at Kagame’s legacy and think that the economic advancements are something worthy to be applauded. Yet, from the worm’s eyes view, on the ground level, we would be able to feel the silent, unspeakable building tension between the people. The system and the policies have exacerbated the tension. The government is at fault. This reminded me of the ‘quota’ or reservation policy implemented in my country, and also another book I currently read on India write about the same reservation policy, a policy that is exercised because it is “essential to reverse centuries of accumulated discrimination.” There are some acceptable explanations in regards of such policies, yet I could not stop myself from thinking that this works as a subtle revenge of the people who were once felt discriminated against, who were once felt they were marginalized. Now that power is in their hands, it is their turn to oppress, to be superior and to win.
Discrimination breeds inequality. Inequality expedites tension. I understand the need of peace, reconciliation and equality that have been preached by Sebarenzi in his book. He knew that without peace and reconciliation, people would think that to break free from such discrimination, they need power. Thus, to have power they need to win. When they win, again, without peace and reconciliation, they will be the next oppressor toward the former oppressor. Without peace and reconciliation, this venomous cycle will continue from generation to generation. To break this cycle however, we need to restore equality that will eliminate the notion of discrimination. Thus in order to promote equality, we need to have a system and policies that is parallel to the notion.
I like the idea of peace education, in which my country is lacking now. We, as the older generation need to shoulder equal responsibility to halt violence, hatred and revenge from muddling our minds and put forward the idea of peaceful nation, one agenda that shall not be infiltrated by politics. This idea must be kept sacred and spared from any malevolence. Our children need to learn and understand what peace, equality, respect of one's lives, dignity, and needs mean. We need to teach them exactly that.
August 3, 2016
I was expecting this book to be more about the Rwanda genocide, but it wasn't because Sebarenzi wasn't in the country during the genocide, so he has no first-person accounts to tell thereof.
Nevertheless, the book was really interesting, and the writing flowed in a way that made it an enjoyable read. The greater part of the book focuses on Sebarenzi's political career as parliamentary speaker after the Rwandan genocide. He speaks a great deal about political corruption, fear, and autocratic rule.
He does an excellent job of portraying the inner workings of Rwandan politics, and control by the RPF. I can't help but wonder, though, how much personal bias plays a role in what was written. There are always two sides to a story, and it's difficult to form an informed opinion when one has only read one account of one side of the story. It definitely is an eye opener to the struggle that happened within the country, but I would like to read more on the subject from other authors to understand their take on the political situation.
Also, this is my personal view, but the book could have ended 20 pages before the end, when Sebarenzi chooses to finish his personal struggle. I can understand why he decided to include 20-pages full of learnings to explain what he sees as the road to overcoming diversity and achieving acceptance. And while the last couple of pages were an interesting and insightful read, I didn't feel like it contributed to Sebarenzi's personal story; it was more like an addition to the book.
Overall, though, I would recommend this read.
Nevertheless, the book was really interesting, and the writing flowed in a way that made it an enjoyable read. The greater part of the book focuses on Sebarenzi's political career as parliamentary speaker after the Rwandan genocide. He speaks a great deal about political corruption, fear, and autocratic rule.
He does an excellent job of portraying the inner workings of Rwandan politics, and control by the RPF. I can't help but wonder, though, how much personal bias plays a role in what was written. There are always two sides to a story, and it's difficult to form an informed opinion when one has only read one account of one side of the story. It definitely is an eye opener to the struggle that happened within the country, but I would like to read more on the subject from other authors to understand their take on the political situation.
Also, this is my personal view, but the book could have ended 20 pages before the end, when Sebarenzi chooses to finish his personal struggle. I can understand why he decided to include 20-pages full of learnings to explain what he sees as the road to overcoming diversity and achieving acceptance. And while the last couple of pages were an interesting and insightful read, I didn't feel like it contributed to Sebarenzi's personal story; it was more like an addition to the book.
Overall, though, I would recommend this read.
July 18, 2014
Meh - had a difficult time getting past the amateurish writing and contradictory and omnipresent religious observations. Additionally his views are generally one-sided and while I appreciate that this is autobiographical there are ways of presenting alternate perspectives and/or grounding your experiences with historical references outside your bubble - the author was unwilling to do this to a fault and it therefore discounted most of his observations for me. Especially when measured against the myriad books on the subject and how he is completely at odds with most of their narratives. I am not saying I don't believe him, rather I was tired of hearing him grind his axe and make broad accusations without offering a measure of balance.
Finally, the number of times the author 'thanks god' and simultaneously defies all shreds of logic became exhausting and irritating. Yes, 'thank god' that your pal or your wife was spared, 'thank god' that the people searching for you didn't find you, etc - meanwhile you forgot to 'thank god' for the priests who instructed their parishioners to hide in their church and then brought the murders there and joined in the slaughtering. For that matter you forgot to 'thank GOD for the genocide! OK, it may simply be that I am exhausted with religious acrobatics and hypocrisy.
Finally, the number of times the author 'thanks god' and simultaneously defies all shreds of logic became exhausting and irritating. Yes, 'thank god' that your pal or your wife was spared, 'thank god' that the people searching for you didn't find you, etc - meanwhile you forgot to 'thank god' for the priests who instructed their parishioners to hide in their church and then brought the murders there and joined in the slaughtering. For that matter you forgot to 'thank GOD for the genocide! OK, it may simply be that I am exhausted with religious acrobatics and hypocrisy.
March 31, 2018
The title of the book comes from a Rwandan saying that God spends the day in other countries, but settles for the night in Rwanda. This is both a tribute to the natural beauty of the Rwandan landscape, but also a subtle diatribe at the apparent absence of divine intervention during the atrocities of the past.
These atrocities, of course, are the genocide of 1994 as well as previous tribe based violence in the 50's and 60's.
Joseph Sebarenzi is a Tutsi, who became part of the post 1994 government. He was eventually hounded out of the country, after trying to reform parliament to make it more independent.
This book then, on top of telling the author's story of growing in the 1960's and surviving ethnic violence, being thrice exiled from the country of his birth and returning after 1994, with most of his family dead, offers a sharp critique of Paul Kagame's regime.
To the outside world, Rwanda is a beacon of stability and economic recovery. Sebarenzi takes the reader behind the veil to show a country where repression, murder, intimidation, propaganda and deference to the all powerful autocrat are but the norm.
In light of the events in my own country, Zimbabwe, there are startling parallels between the 2 countries, which made this book an even more fascinating read.
These atrocities, of course, are the genocide of 1994 as well as previous tribe based violence in the 50's and 60's.
Joseph Sebarenzi is a Tutsi, who became part of the post 1994 government. He was eventually hounded out of the country, after trying to reform parliament to make it more independent.
This book then, on top of telling the author's story of growing in the 1960's and surviving ethnic violence, being thrice exiled from the country of his birth and returning after 1994, with most of his family dead, offers a sharp critique of Paul Kagame's regime.
To the outside world, Rwanda is a beacon of stability and economic recovery. Sebarenzi takes the reader behind the veil to show a country where repression, murder, intimidation, propaganda and deference to the all powerful autocrat are but the norm.
In light of the events in my own country, Zimbabwe, there are startling parallels between the 2 countries, which made this book an even more fascinating read.
May 16, 2018
For someone who has very little knowledge of the Rwandan genocide, this was fascinating.
It is heartbreaking to see the result of racial discrimination to the point of absolute extreme. Families and neighbours turning against one another all because of poison political ideology.
It was also interesting to learn that the roots of the tension between Hutu and Tutsi were caused by white colonialists (wow shocked..) yet they did nothing to prevent the violence their racism caused.
It is especially devastating yet not at all surprising to see the UN and the US do absolutely nothing to intervene despite having the obligation to do so under the Genocide Convention, and despite having irrefutable proof of the violence taking place. Considering the UN is tasked to prevent these kinds of atrocities, and the US has the power and money to intervene yet refused to do so since they had nothing to gain by helping a tiny landlocked African country with little natural resources.
A must-read for history buffs, and those concerned with the multitude of human rights violations occurring in 2018 and the lack of Western countries doing anything to prevent it.
It is heartbreaking to see the result of racial discrimination to the point of absolute extreme. Families and neighbours turning against one another all because of poison political ideology.
It was also interesting to learn that the roots of the tension between Hutu and Tutsi were caused by white colonialists (wow shocked..) yet they did nothing to prevent the violence their racism caused.
It is especially devastating yet not at all surprising to see the UN and the US do absolutely nothing to intervene despite having the obligation to do so under the Genocide Convention, and despite having irrefutable proof of the violence taking place. Considering the UN is tasked to prevent these kinds of atrocities, and the US has the power and money to intervene yet refused to do so since they had nothing to gain by helping a tiny landlocked African country with little natural resources.
A must-read for history buffs, and those concerned with the multitude of human rights violations occurring in 2018 and the lack of Western countries doing anything to prevent it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
The dramatic story of a Rwandan man who survived the genocide in Rwanda and then, following his return there, met Jesus Christ in such a meaningful way that God changed the anger in his heart to a powerful sense of forgiveness. Then following this transformation came an unexpected opportunity to fill the third most powerful seat in the Rwandan government, and with it an opportunity to steer the country toward ethnic reconciliation and long-term peace. But politics in Rwanda was not so simple, and Joseph would eventually need to flee for his life again as he stood for truth amidst power-hungry opponents. It is a story that inspires one to aim high whatever the price!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2018
I loved this book. Sebarenzi recently visited our university to participate in a panel on forgiveness, so I was lucky enough to spend some time with him. As a person, I found him incredibly kind and wise, so I really enjoyed reading about his life and experience in Rwanda. While he is critical of Kagame and his administration, he voices concerns in a compassionate, forgiving way, holding out hope that better times are ahead for Rwanda.
July 30, 2018
I almost didn't make it through the book. I'm glad I did. It was heartwrenching to hear of the heartache and betrayal he (and many others) suffered. He has infinite wisdom and perspective in how he views these tragedies. It was a good story.
March 3, 2018
A solemn reminder that, even in the aftermath of the Holocaust when people said, "Never again!" It did happen again, and the world didn't care.
September 30, 2018
A sad and beautiful book. Of slaughter, of ascension to power (Sebarenzi becomes the Speaker of Rwanda's Parliament) and flight to exile, of hunger for power and depravity, betrayal, of love and hate, of peace and reconciliation. And at the end of it all, we learn to forgive and to work towards our better selves.
Well written. And there are important lessons and revelation of what happened in Rwandan Genocide and what Rwanda is truly is. The book exposes the facade that is Rwanda's economic transformation yet beyond the thin veneer are festering wounds that need true healing. You get good insight into who President Paul Kagame is.
Sebarenzi, who now lives in exile in US, proposes that Rwanda's future lies in peace and reconciliation. Gacaca courts failed.
“Like the gazelle who doesn't know the rustle in the grass is a leopard, we didn't know what hit us until it was too late," he writes.
I have never posted anything hateful on my wall since I opened any of my social media accounts. I see my fellow citizens spew ethnic venom and I only wish they were able to read this book or live in exile as refugees.
Allow me to share with you an excerpt from the book (page 212):
"During my speeches, I often share with the audience the story of an old rabbi who once asked his pupils how they could tell when night ends and day begins. "Could it be," asked one of the students, "when you can see an animal in the distance and you can tell whether it's a sheep or a dog?"
"No," answered the rabbi.
Another asked, "Is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it's a fig tree or a peach tree?"
"No," answered the rabbi.
"Then what is it?" the pupils demanded.
"It is when you can look in the face of any man or woman and see that it is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night."
Well written. And there are important lessons and revelation of what happened in Rwandan Genocide and what Rwanda is truly is. The book exposes the facade that is Rwanda's economic transformation yet beyond the thin veneer are festering wounds that need true healing. You get good insight into who President Paul Kagame is.
Sebarenzi, who now lives in exile in US, proposes that Rwanda's future lies in peace and reconciliation. Gacaca courts failed.
“Like the gazelle who doesn't know the rustle in the grass is a leopard, we didn't know what hit us until it was too late," he writes.
I have never posted anything hateful on my wall since I opened any of my social media accounts. I see my fellow citizens spew ethnic venom and I only wish they were able to read this book or live in exile as refugees.
Allow me to share with you an excerpt from the book (page 212):
"During my speeches, I often share with the audience the story of an old rabbi who once asked his pupils how they could tell when night ends and day begins. "Could it be," asked one of the students, "when you can see an animal in the distance and you can tell whether it's a sheep or a dog?"
"No," answered the rabbi.
Another asked, "Is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it's a fig tree or a peach tree?"
"No," answered the rabbi.
"Then what is it?" the pupils demanded.
"It is when you can look in the face of any man or woman and see that it is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night."
December 13, 2024
This book tells the story of Joseph Sebarenzi as he grows up in a genocidal Rwanda to eventually become the speaker of the Rwandan parliament. Joseph's story is heartbreaking and uncovers the horrors of totalitarian governments and the absolute fear that he faced as a child. This is a well-written novel, and it would be able to touch every person who reads it.
I think that this is a good read at anytime; however, with the genocide of the Palestinians currently ongoing, this story is even more powerful. It is vital for our society to evolve and learn from the mistakes of the past. Sebarenzi tells of a visit of Bill Clinton's to a post-genocide Rwanda, and he explains his complex emotions toward Clinton and the United Nations. The Clinton administration had the money, power, and ability to stop the horrific genocide, but after deeming the support unpopular in the American public's eyes, the administration turned a blind eye. I see a staggering parallel to the actions of the United States towards Palestine and other horrors going on in the world today.
Sebarenzi uses many quotes throughout his novel to elevate his story. My favorite is: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing," said by Edmund Burke.
I think that this is a good read at anytime; however, with the genocide of the Palestinians currently ongoing, this story is even more powerful. It is vital for our society to evolve and learn from the mistakes of the past. Sebarenzi tells of a visit of Bill Clinton's to a post-genocide Rwanda, and he explains his complex emotions toward Clinton and the United Nations. The Clinton administration had the money, power, and ability to stop the horrific genocide, but after deeming the support unpopular in the American public's eyes, the administration turned a blind eye. I see a staggering parallel to the actions of the United States towards Palestine and other horrors going on in the world today.
Sebarenzi uses many quotes throughout his novel to elevate his story. My favorite is: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing," said by Edmund Burke.
January 21, 2021
This is thoughtfully written, but some parts of it drag with too many ponderings. It is the true life of the author, and the lives of the large, extended families of that culture bracketed by the sad events of genecide. For a while, as I read, I felt a discomfort which was unnerving, and then I realized why I felt discomforted: the Tutsis and Hutus are similar to the nonsensical, backbiting, and impositions of our American political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, who put us through so much with their attacks, namecallings, condemnations, and anything else you can name, all of this being done as character assasinations, and now that the presidential campaign is not only over, it has the transfer of power, and we can have some respite, maybe.
The politics the author experienced as the speaker of the parliament in Rwanda show such political immoralities, all to achieve personal power. The other major theme of the book is the eventual need for the author's family to escape Rwanda and move to the US. He suffered horrible experiences all thorough murderous rampages against his Tutsi family from the Hutus.
The politics the author experienced as the speaker of the parliament in Rwanda show such political immoralities, all to achieve personal power. The other major theme of the book is the eventual need for the author's family to escape Rwanda and move to the US. He suffered horrible experiences all thorough murderous rampages against his Tutsi family from the Hutus.
April 5, 2019
I had the pleasure of meeting Joseph Sebarenzi when he came to speak at my University. He’s incredibly compassionate and open. Yet, I can’t help feeling his thoughts on forgiveness being the answer to intractable ethnic divisions is a little naive. Besides it being a specifically Christian value, I don’t think magnanimity is a universal quality. Reconciliation is a component of transitional justice that requires an open public sphere in which both sides can communicate and interact, and forgiveness is certainly a part of it, but is not a panacea. The fact is that there is not a neutral historical narrative being promoted by the government, and until the government can acknowledge the concurrent slaughter of Hutu moderates and RPF human rights violations, the divide will not abate. It’s a policy issue as well as a human issue, so forgiveness on the individual level isn’t sufficient even if it were a feasible solution. That being said, his story is incredibly moving and I enjoyed reading about his life and theories.
May 31, 2020
This is an account of the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath by Joseph Sebarenzi, the first president of the parliament formed following the end of the 1994 civil war. I've heard post civil war Rwanda described as the Singapore of East Africa, having created an orderly and relatively prosperous society. And yet, after serving barely four years and striving,among other things, to create legislative oversight of the executive branch, the author had to flee with his family for his life to the US. The book concludes with a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation. I wish i could say it gives me hope, but the current chaos in the US leaves me feeling that realization of the author's hope remains far away, if not unattainable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2022
This was a great book that detailed events that I have never heard of. Joseph Sebarenzi did a wonderful job of telling the story of abuse of power in Rwanda. The way the “muyaga” was explained was extremely shocking how a group could savagely murder another and still live in peace with each other after it was over. Throughout chapter 3 Sebarenzi gives his opinion on how Tutsi rebellion would mean for everyone else, the hard truth that war is not something that can be used as an easy fix to political issues. He is able to recognize the fact that revenge against the Hutu would only continue the cycle of rebellion. The book is a wonderful representation of how abuse of power can ruin so much even end nearly one million lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2022
This book begins when Joseph Sebarenzi is a child and had to hide in the bush with his mother because the villagers were threatening to kill them, then finding his father hiding and seeing the terror on his father’s face because he thought he was going to be killed. This begins the story of the genocide in 1994 in Rwanda of Tutsis. This isn’t the whole story though, only about 40% of it and then how he became the third most powerful man as the speaker of the house in parliament after the genocide. He worked hard to have a new constitution written with heck’s and balances.
This was an interesting read. There were parts that I skimmed.
This was an interesting read. There were parts that I skimmed.
October 9, 2020
Graphic, detailed and a wonderful true story of one man's journey to find peace amongst dread and despair.
April 25, 2021
Cerita yang menarik
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 23, 2022Not the kind of book you can or should rate. Very powerful.
May 28, 2025
What I would say is I found this to be more post genocide than about the genocide itself. But I thought the insights about forgiveness were particularly strong in the afterword
March 23, 2025
3.75 / 5 Stars | 75 / 100
“My book is also the story of hope and forgiveness, and how the suffering each of us endures should not take away our humanity and kindness.”
– Joseph Sebarenzi, Ph.D.
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God Sleeps In Rwanda provides a somehow simultaneously over-arching and intimate recount of the State of Rwanda in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide.
Sebarenzi, himself a Rwandan politician, is able to vividly illustrate the tumultuousness of a sovereign state government piecing itself together in aftermath of atrocities and crimes against humanity.
The only reason this book doesn’t rate higher for me is that the author seems to have a strange tendency of repeating information over-and-over. Particularly in the last 20% of the book, which discusses restorative justice and reconciliation, Sebarenzi tends to repeat information at least two to three times. This manifests in passages of text that reiterate themselves over and over with different phrasing. This is not to suggest that the author is not an astute writer - he very much is - but nonetheless this pattern of repeated information comes across a bit strange, and seems to drag out the book a little bit longer than necessary. This being said, Sebarenzi was also a firsthand actor in efforts to stabilize Rwanda in the wake of the Genocide, so take my opinion with a large grain of salt.
“My book is also the story of hope and forgiveness, and how the suffering each of us endures should not take away our humanity and kindness.”
– Joseph Sebarenzi, Ph.D.
------------------------------------------------
God Sleeps In Rwanda provides a somehow simultaneously over-arching and intimate recount of the State of Rwanda in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide.
Sebarenzi, himself a Rwandan politician, is able to vividly illustrate the tumultuousness of a sovereign state government piecing itself together in aftermath of atrocities and crimes against humanity.
The only reason this book doesn’t rate higher for me is that the author seems to have a strange tendency of repeating information over-and-over. Particularly in the last 20% of the book, which discusses restorative justice and reconciliation, Sebarenzi tends to repeat information at least two to three times. This manifests in passages of text that reiterate themselves over and over with different phrasing. This is not to suggest that the author is not an astute writer - he very much is - but nonetheless this pattern of repeated information comes across a bit strange, and seems to drag out the book a little bit longer than necessary. This being said, Sebarenzi was also a firsthand actor in efforts to stabilize Rwanda in the wake of the Genocide, so take my opinion with a large grain of salt.
December 31, 2017
Me. Sebarenzi's story is very interesting and very much heartbreaking. However, I am very happy for him for the fact that he is able to get pass all the nightmares about the genocide and the threat of his life by the government and is now advocating about peaceful reconciliation.
I think his analysis on how to reunite Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda is very thought provoking. I agree with him that the reconciliation will have to start at the individual level. It is definitely rightful for the victims to hate the perpetrators for what they did and therefore it is most understandable that it is extremely difficult to forgive. I agree that religion, peace education and the help from those with the strong mind are the key to true reconciliation. The challenge is, when people do not feel safe, do not have a roof over there head, and no food to eat, how can they maintain their mind and forgive when their physical needs are not met?
The international aid and a truthful government are the keys.
It is a great book to learn about the background and key facts about the genocide in Rwanda and how the whole unfortunate event transform ed a life of a man and his family. I highly recommend the book to those who are interested in learning about the country.
I think his analysis on how to reunite Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda is very thought provoking. I agree with him that the reconciliation will have to start at the individual level. It is definitely rightful for the victims to hate the perpetrators for what they did and therefore it is most understandable that it is extremely difficult to forgive. I agree that religion, peace education and the help from those with the strong mind are the key to true reconciliation. The challenge is, when people do not feel safe, do not have a roof over there head, and no food to eat, how can they maintain their mind and forgive when their physical needs are not met?
The international aid and a truthful government are the keys.
It is a great book to learn about the background and key facts about the genocide in Rwanda and how the whole unfortunate event transform ed a life of a man and his family. I highly recommend the book to those who are interested in learning about the country.
June 25, 2012
A very moving and powerful book. Sebarenzi had been sent to the Congo to further his education, and thus his life was spared during the 1994 Rwandan genocide- but his parents and most of his immediate family were slaughtered. Later he became the speaker of Rwandan's parliament (by his own admission because of his youth and lack of political experience; those in power hoped to manipulate him,) but once again had to flee his country with his family after he ran afoul of the country's vice president (later president) Kagame. Turned out he wasn't so easy to manipulate and wasn't willing to be just a sycophant for those in power. It's an interesting look inside of Rwanda but it's a more fascinating look at Sebarenzi, as he goes from (understandably) grief-stricken and bitter to someone who moves past the incredible atrocities and moves to the forefront in trying to restore peace in his country. He has an incredibly potent message about the importance of forgiveness and moving on. It's a sad story, too, though, because it shows how fragile a democracy can be, with the wrong people in power.
June 2, 2015
Emotionally stirring and thought provoking book. Joseph Sebarenzi put forth a very realistic question in this book, that is, when catastrophe of a huge magnitude strikes, and when stakes are high, how many of the international community are ready to help? "Never again", as the congregate of nations came together to pledge in the aftermath of the Holocaust, was nothing but an empty pledge as we now begin to see, that what really is at play is not ideology or human conscience, but power politics and business of gain and loss on the international stage. War is still fought every now and then somewhere in this world, and racial conflict is as present as ever. When intervention is needed, there is no all out help from the Nations, but "aids" offered after much calculation and politicking, and that is the sad truth that the author put forth in recounting the events of the Hutu-Tutsi conflict and the following genocide in the 20th century. I agree much with his notion of reconciliation and forgiveness in moving forward in a war-torn country. In fact, it is applicable to many countries where racial or religious tensions are high, including my beloved Malaysia.
May 10, 2009
I loved this book. I cannot wait for it to come out in the fall so I can make as many people as possible read it.
I expected a memoir similar to Ishmael Beah's "A Long Way Gone", chronicling the experiences of a young boy during the Rwandan genocide. Sebarenzi's memoir does this, in part, but his memoir tells his story from boyhood into adulthood. This was an eye-opening read for me, because Sebarenzi lays out the political situation of the country in the years following the genocide, and it is dismal indeed. While the rest of the world has moved on, recalling it as a horrific loss of life - and vowing to never let it happen again (the same will be said of Darfur), Rwanda is still very much in need of aid. Their politicians are corrupt (as are, sadly, so many others in Africa), and to read about it from someone who was involved in their legislative body was revelatory.
I hope everyone will pick up a copy of this in September - knowledge is power, and, hopefully, knowledge will also lead to some form of demand for aide in Rwanda today.
I expected a memoir similar to Ishmael Beah's "A Long Way Gone", chronicling the experiences of a young boy during the Rwandan genocide. Sebarenzi's memoir does this, in part, but his memoir tells his story from boyhood into adulthood. This was an eye-opening read for me, because Sebarenzi lays out the political situation of the country in the years following the genocide, and it is dismal indeed. While the rest of the world has moved on, recalling it as a horrific loss of life - and vowing to never let it happen again (the same will be said of Darfur), Rwanda is still very much in need of aid. Their politicians are corrupt (as are, sadly, so many others in Africa), and to read about it from someone who was involved in their legislative body was revelatory.
I hope everyone will pick up a copy of this in September - knowledge is power, and, hopefully, knowledge will also lead to some form of demand for aide in Rwanda today.
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June 17, 2015Story of life in modern Rwanda from 1970's to present. He was sent to finish elementary and high school on an island in DRC and was one of the few members of his family to survive the genocide and he was Tutsi and had fled to Canada. After the genocide he and his wife went back to try to help rebuild the country and he became speaker of the house. But Kigame the VP who eventually became dictator forced him out again. A very powerful story of the tragedy in Rwanda but also of forgiveness. He works for reconciliataion. "..When the night ends and the day begins-when you can look in the face of a man or woman and see that it is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night." "It is still night for many people, it is still night in many countries around the world" "My home, my prayer-is that we will one day return to Rwanda as a family...to see the place God finds so beautiful that at night, after a day of travelling the world visiting other countries He chooses the land of a thousand hills to lay His Head down to sleep at night"
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