Silent Accomplice: The Untold Story of France's Role in the Rwandan Genocide

I found this account of the Rwanda genocide confused and confusing, lacking focus generally and undermined not only by the already noted anti-French tone, but also the author's obvious distaste for all things military. This, and a lack of basic research, combined with a strong sense of righteous indignation (which may be understandable, but does not sit well with the book's academic aspirations) left me in no doubt as to the author's perspective, and his conclusions were very clear from the outset. This was not a cool, calm examination of the facts.

A quick internet check would have revealed that French soldiers are not known generically as "Legionaires" (that is only members of the Foreign Legion) nor do French paratroopers wear green berets as the author asserts several times (again, this is only applicable to the Foreign Legion). Such easily checkable mistakes make me wonder about other elements of the research that went into this book.

It is also noteworthy that many of the author's best first hand sources were members of the French military establishment; the very people the author holds in general contempt. This makes for a confused view of the French military's role, and whilst the author is cynical about the French view (both political and military), he is much more accepting of the views of NGOs etc who had no less of an agenda than others present.

Clearly the French state has a lot to answer for, and as Rwanda finds its feet as a nation once more, we should hope that justice can be done. However, this book is not the way for readers to learn more about the terrible events of the 1990's, nor of France's role. Try Romeo Dallaire's memoirs for a personal view, and numerous texts for a clearer academic analysis. I felt this book was a missed opportunity for a full investigation into France's participation in genocide.

The pettiness and arrogance of French foreign policy (5/5 people found this helpful)

This is a shocking account of the disregard the French government under Mitterrand showed towards African lives. Well referenced, this describes how sections of the administration supported those responsible for the premeditated genocide of Rwandan Tutsis, despite being fully aware of the consequences. It is a terrible indictment of how personal cronyism, corruption and basic, petty Anglophobia still contribute to the direction of modern-day French foreign policy making.

Another reviewer suggests that the author adopts an anti-French tone and to some extent this is evident, but in my opinion it would be difficult to document these events without doing so. I also observed problems with the consistency of the chronology in the earlier chapters.

I highly recommend this book as it is, on the whole, well-written and the subject matter does not appear to be covered in similar detail in any other English language title.

A Stain on the Tricolour (4/4 people found this helpful)

This is an extraordinary book. It is outstanding neither because of its presentation nor because the story it tells is in essence hitherto untold. It deserves careful reading rather because it is an important contribution in providing the detail of a tragic, lamentable, culpable and irreparable episode in the history of France. The failure of the French Government and regime to date to recognize the monstrous morality and devastating consequences of its foreign policy actions in Rwanda continues 12 years after the genocide is laid bare.

The information, drawn from a range of sources, adds strength to the already comprehensive indictment of French actions in Rwanda from 1990 onwards. But this is not just an indictment of the past. The excellent final chapter includes many significant and well made conclusions, of which this one concerning Agathe Habyarimana, the wife of the former dictator, makes clear this book proclaims France has much to do in coming to terms with its actions: `Meanwhile (2006), Madame de l'Akazu sits safely in her comfortable Parisian house cloaked in a secure French political cocoon that mocks the Rwandan dead.'

The conclusions are well drawn and represent accurately the evidence presented. Would that the research the book represents and the story it tells were matched by its narrative. The route to the conclusions is strewn by an anti-French tone, selective quotes and a prejudicial use of language. The chronology veered back and forth in the first few chapters and an appendix showing a detailed timeline would have enhanced the book. Of course the author is writing from the standpoint of his conclusions but he would have done better to conceal his conclusions more until he had laid out his evidence.

This is an important contribution to the corpus of analysis and information about the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Silent Accomplice: The Untold Story of France's Role in the Rwandan Genocide

Andrew Wallis

Reader Reviews:

A missed opportunity (1/2 people found this helpful)

The pettiness and arrogance of French foreign policy (5/5 people found this helpful)

A Stain on the Tricolour (4/4 people found this helpful)

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