Jose Orozco

Mrs. Parrott
Per. 3 Ap Lang
February 13 2017
OP-ED #4

Rwanda, a small country often associated with the genocide and civil war that killed

millions in 1994, has experienced a plethora of economic prosperity and progress since the new

government was put in place. Things aren't as cheery as they might seem though, as many accuse

the new government of violating humans rights. In an article for the Daily Maverick, Brandon

Finn exposes the the truth behind the up-and-coming country. He argues that the limiting of free

speech should not be accepted by the international community simply because the current

government of the country has helped it financially.

Finn has been following the story of an activist named Shyaka Kanuma, who wants to

bring better rights to the Rwandan people and stop the violations committed by the government.

Finn begins with a satirical allusion, using Rwandas nickname Africas little Switzerland to

explain how it is often regarded in the international community(Finn 1). Saying it is a little

Switzerland is to say it is peaceful and untroubled. However, Finn then explains that in fact, the

opposite is true. By first giving the misconception, he destroys it and shows the reader the true

actions and the effects of these actions of the people of Rwanda. From there and Throughout the

article Finn, uses diction to show his distaste for the actions of the Rwandan Government. When

talking about the treatment of Kanuma, his diction becomes biased and he calls the charged

offences of Kanuma alleged and ... among other supposed crimes (Finn 1). By shedding the

unbiased wording and showing his thoughts on kanumas arrest, he tells the reader that the arrest

is not justified. While most would leave it at what is true factually, Finn wants to leave no doubt

in the audience that Kanuma was innocent. He is not only skeptical of the charges against

Kanuma, he is cynical they have any basis in fact. Finally to fully vilify the Rwandan
government he begins referring to them as the City of Kigali in particular instead of naming

the individual leaders as he did before (Finn 1). The synecdoche shows that not only is the leader

of the country corrupt but every part of the government that suppress free speech. Addressing the

government in this way shows that they are corrupt on every level, not just the leader, but the

entire regime. It also shows that the regime moves with a united purpose to suppress political

free speech so no other parties can join the elections. The International community has not acted

on this and it has lead to many in Rwanda to be treated unfairly.

By writing this article, Finn wanted to spur the international community to take action for

the repression of free speech instead of ignoring the country simple because of economic

prosperity. He shows this through an accusatory tone that puts the blame firmly on the

government and shows the brutal truth. His audience is the governments of the world that

support the current government and allow them to suppress free speech.

Finn use of the allusion was effective because it shows the government is not was it

appears to be and at times at the opposite. Many have never even heard of the country but those

that have probably hold the opinion that it is prosperous. The subsequent evidence gets rid of this

opinion. The diction thought was effective at getting rid of doubt of the reader and convincing

them there actually was a problem. The synecdoche was not as effective because it does not give

extra evidence to corruption besides oppression of free speech, Finn could have done this to

strengthen his argument instead of just vilifying them. Another thing he could have done would

be to bring more proof besides just the story of Kanuma and talked about the suppression of the

other political parties in the country to further convince the audience.