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Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Rwanda Genocide Survivor, Political Exile, and Inspiration: Drocella Mugorewera

Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Daniel Mainwaring

Documentary, Society & Culture:documentary, History, Society & Culture

51.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2024

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1994, Drocella Mugorewera was a young mother when Ethnic tensions between Hutu’s and Tutsi’s rooted in colonial divisions boiled over and led to a horrific genocide in Rwanda that cost up to one million lives. Drocella fled to the comparative safety of the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo before returning home determined to mold a better society in Rwanda.  She quickly became a government minister focused on forging an inclusive and peaceful society from the ashes of horrific events. But, her hopes for the future were largely unfulfilled as the increasingly authoritarian regime of Paul Kagame meant political dissent could no longer be tolerated. Fearing for her life, Drocella fled her homeland once again before finding refuge in the USA. There, she established herself as a campaigner for the rights of women, refugees, and an advocate for diversity. Ironically, as a young woman she earned a scholarship to study in the Ukraine -- another country now devastated by war.  Having seen the horrors of divisive politics. She is an inspirational figure full of hope and the desire for peace. In this episode I discuss her work as a diversity consultant. Her feelings about Rwanda, Ukraine, and war and conflict in general. A truly faith filled woman who somehow remains positive about he future despite seeing the worst of humanity. Official Website: Drocella Music: Pixabay This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet.

0:08.5

I love the fact they're not a wiki. Every article they publish is reviewed by the editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read.

0:20.0

The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won't be bombarded by annoying ads,

0:26.3

and it's completely free. It's a great site, and don't just take my word for it. They've been recommended by many academic institutions, including Oxford University.

0:39.0

Go check them out at world history.org. Or follow the link in the episode description.

0:46.0

People just wish peace and prosperity and healing.

0:54.0

Drosela Moguera was a young mother when the horror of genocide swept her home country of Rwanda in the mid-1990s.

1:03.0

The flow of refugees across Rwanda's borders has now created what could be the world's worst

1:09.1

humanitarian crisis in a generation.

1:11.6

Drusala was able to flee to the relative safety of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo,

1:18.0

while up to a million of her country men and women were killed during senseless violence.

1:24.0

But when peace was restored, Dressella vowed to return to her country and make it a better society,

1:30.2

and she did so as a government minister.

1:33.0

But her hopes for a brighter future were dashed,

1:36.0

as the increasingly authoritarian reign of Paul Kagame

1:40.0

sought to suppress political dissent and perceived critics, including Drossela.

1:46.3

And for the second time in her life, for her own safety, she had to flee Rhyanda once again,

1:52.1

this time finding herself in the United States, where she's now

1:55.4

a campaigner for integration, diversity, and women's rights.

2:01.2

In this episode, I speak to Drusilla about her remarkable and still continuing story

2:06.4

to try and make her country and the wider world a better and more peaceful place.

2:18.0

Druslla, thank you for joining me to say. It's real pleasure to talk to you.

...

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