Sehene’s ‘Fire Beneath the Cassock’: How bigotry, politics fueled Rwanda’s tragedy
By Umar Osabo
BENJAMIN Sehene’s Fire Beneath the Cassock is a powerful and evocative exploration of the political, economic, and socio-cultural landscape of Rwanda during the period leading up to and during the 1994 genocide. The novel examines the complex dynamics between individuals, religion, ethnicity, and power and sheds light on how these elements converged to create the tragic circumstances of the genocide. Through the portrayal of the character of Pastor Bernard, Sehene critically examines the role of religious leaders as agents of bigotry and division. Additionally, the novel delves into the economic and political factors that influenced the tragic events, including the role played by foreign powers such as France. The relevance of Fire Beneath the Cassock extends beyond the Rwandan context, offering profound lessons for contemporary Rwanda, Africa, and the world. This critical analysis seeks to explore the major themes of the novel, focusing on the economic, political, and socio-cultural issues that shaped Rwanda’s tumultuous history and assessing the lessons it holds for present-day Rwanda and Africa.
Before analyzing the novel in depth, it is essential to provide some context regarding the historical, political, economic, and socio-cultural issues that shaped the events depicted in Fire Beneath the Cassock. The backdrop of Rwanda in the 1990s was marked by intense ethnic tensions between the Tutsi and Hutu populations, which had been exacerbated by colonial policies and the manipulation of these divisions by successive Rwandan governments. The genocide, which claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, was not an isolated incident, but rather the culmination of years of political manipulation, economic inequality, and societal divisions.
Sehene’s novel engages with these issues, portraying the deep-rooted ethnic hatred and political manipulation that created the conditions for mass violence. The character of Pastor Bernard, as a religious figure, represents the perverse role that religion played in fueling hatred and division. The novel also examines the role of foreign powers, particularly France, whose support for the Rwandan government contributed to the genocide.
At the core of Fire Beneath the Cassock is an examination of the political structures and dynamics that enabled the genocide. In the novel, the character of Pastor Bernard is shown to be an influential figure, not only within the church but also within the community. As a religious leader, he wields significant political influence, and his actions reflect the politicization of religion in Rwanda during the 1990s. The church, which should have been a force for peace and reconciliation, is depicted as an agent of division, reinforcing the ethnic lines that ultimately led to the violence of the genocide.
The novel highlights the role of the political elite, who manipulated the Hutu majority by using ethnic identity as a tool for gaining and maintaining power. The Hutu-led government used propaganda and fear to galvanize the Hutu population against the Tutsi, labeling them as the enemy and presenting the genocide as a form of self-defense. The church’s complicity in this manipulation is starkly evident in the character of Pastor Bernard, whose teachings fuel the hatred against the Tutsi community. As he becomes an active participant in the persecution of the Tutsi, Sehene critiques the ways in which political leaders co-opt religious institutions to further their own agendas.
Sehene’s portrayal of Pastor Bernard also sheds light on the ways in which religion became intertwined with the political narrative of the time. The religious leadership in Rwanda, especially within the Catholic Church, was deeply entrenched in the political power structures that supported the genocidal regime. Fire Beneath the Cassock portrays this reality, critiquing how the church’s failure to stand against political manipulation allowed it to become a tool for ethnic division. The novel’s exploration of the political landscape underscores the extent to which political leaders exploited religion to consolidate power and perpetuate the cycle of hatred and violence.
Author of Fire Beneath the Cassock, Benjamin Sehene
In addition to political manipulation, the novel also highlights the economic and socio-cultural factors that contributed to the genocide. Rwanda, like many African nations, faced significant economic challenges in the years leading up to the 1994 genocide. The country was plagued by poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, with the Tutsi minority often occupying positions of economic privilege, despite their relatively small numbers. These economic disparities fueled resentment among the Hutu majority, who felt disenfranchised and marginalized by the Tutsi-dominated elite.
Sehene’s novel addresses the socio-economic context by illustrating the tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities, which were exacerbated by these inequalities. However, the novel also critiques the way in which these divisions were exploited by political leaders for their own gain. The economic divide between the two groups is depicted as a source of tension, but it is the manipulation of these divisions that ultimately sets the stage for the violence of the genocide.
The novel also touches upon the role of cultural and ethnic identity in shaping the narrative of the genocide. In Rwanda, identity was defined by ethnicity, and the government’s portrayal of the Tutsi as a threat to the Hutu majority was instrumental in justifying the violence. The use of propaganda to dehumanize the Tutsi population and present them as a threat to the Hutu way of life was a central feature of the pre-genocide political climate. Sehene critiques this dehumanization by illustrating how cultural and ethnic identity was weaponized to fuel hatred and violence.
One of the most compelling aspects of Fire Beneath the Cassock is its portrayal of Pastor Bernard as an agent of bigotry and division. Throughout the novel, Pastor Bernard is shown as a man of faith who uses his position of authority to incite violence and hatred. His transformation from a religious leader to an active participant in the genocide is a powerful commentary on the perils of political and religious manipulation.
Sehene’s depiction of Pastor Bernard highlights the dangers of religious leaders who allow themselves to be co-opted by political agendas. Rather than serving as agents of peace and reconciliation, as the church should, Pastor Bernard’s character reflects the ways in which religious figures can become tools of oppression and hate. His actions, such as preaching against the Tutsi and encouraging violence, illustrate the destructive potential of religious authority when it is used to justify political or ethnic conflict.
The character of Pastor Bernard also represents the failure of religious institutions to stand against injustice. Instead of using his position to protect the innocent and advocate for peace, Pastor Bernard actively participates in the violence, showing how religious authority can be manipulated to perpetrate harm. Sehene’s critique of the church’s complicity in the genocide is sharp and unflinching, revealing the destructive consequences of religious leaders abandoning their moral responsibility.
Sehene also addresses the international dimension of the genocide, particularly the role played by France in supporting the Rwandan government. France’s involvement in the genocide, particularly its military support for the Hutu-led government, has been a subject of controversy and debate. In the novel, the character of Pastor Bernard reflects the broader political climate, in which foreign powers, such as France, played a significant role in enabling the genocide.
The French government’s support for the Hutu regime, despite its involvement in human rights violations, is a central theme in the novel. Sehene critiques this international complicity by highlighting the ways in which France’s military and political backing helped perpetuate the violence. The novel’s exploration of France’s role serves as a reminder of the importance of international accountability and the need for foreign powers to take responsibility for their actions in conflict zones.
The relevance of Fire Beneath the Cassock extends far beyond the historical context of Rwanda in the 1990s. The novel offers profound lessons for contemporary Rwanda and the broader African continent. In particular, it speaks to the dangers of ethnic division, political manipulation, and the exploitation of religious institutions for political gain.
In today’s Rwanda, the novel serves as a reminder of the importance of national reconciliation and the need to confront the legacy of the genocide. Rwanda has made significant strides in rebuilding its society, focusing on unity and reconciliation, but the wounds of the past are still present. Fire Beneath the Cassock provides an important critique of the factors that led to the genocide and offers valuable insights into the challenges that Rwanda continues to face as it moves forward.
For the wider African context, the novel highlights the ways in which political and ethnic divisions can be exploited to fuel violence. As many African nations continue to struggle with issues of governance, ethnic tensions, and political instability, the lessons of Fire Beneath the Cassock remain highly relevant. The novel urges African countries to recognize the dangers of divisive politics and the importance of fostering unity and reconciliation.
The silent lessons of Fire Beneath the Cassock are manifold. One of the key lessons is the danger of political manipulation and the need for vigilance against the exploitation of ethnic and religious divisions. The novel also warns of the consequences of allowing religious institutions to become complicit in political agendas, urging societies to demand that religious leaders act as agents of peace and justice. Furthermore, Fire Beneath the Cassock stresses the importance of international accountability and the need for foreign powers to act with responsibility in conflict situations.
In conclusion, Fire Beneath the Cassock is a profound and incisive exploration of the political, economic, and socio-cultural factors that led to the Rwandan genocide. Through its portrayal of the character of Pastor Bernard, the novel critiques the role of religious leaders in perpetuating ethnic hatred and division. Sehene’s work also highlights the broader political, economic, and international forces that contributed to the genocide, with particular focus on the role of France. The novel’s relevance extends beyond the Rwandan context, offering valuable lessons for contemporary Rwanda, Africa, and the world. By critically engaging with these issues, Sehene’s novel provides important insights into the dangers of political manipulation, religious complicity, and the exploitation of ethnic divisions, offering lessons that must be heeded to prevent future atrocities.
