They say tit-for-tat is a fair game, but no one is ready for a wildfire coming out of a crossfire between two neighboring, once-friendly countries. While big nations are busy fanning war through the media, worsened by DRC’s continued provocations, Rwanda’s position has been and remains to abide by decisions taken through various mechanisms and initiatives including the Nairobi conclave, and the Luanda process.
However, one should not take her resistance and calmness through the turmoil as a weakness. Because Rwanda will not look on as her territorial integrity is violated. Rwanda may not launch an offensive towards DRC, but will always revert all evil to sender. Rwanda will not hesitate to retaliate if the DRC continues its provocative attacks that violate Rwanda’s territorial integrity.
It has become the norm for the international community to become cheerleaders and reduce diplomacy to petty schoolyard antics where their taunts, pressure, and bullying can easily escalate into a full-blown war.
While “do unto others” might seem the right take for Rwanda at the moment following a series of continued provocations, it means more conflict for the two countries and regional instability. However, sometimes a tit-for-tat response is a good strategy, given the alternatives.
“Turning the other cheek” today means diplomacy, political will, and good faith in rescuing the Nairobi-Luanda process and bringing peace consequently.