An Interview of Carl Wilkens
The Last American: Carl Wilkens was the only American to remain in Rwanda during the genocide and, in doing so, saved the lives of countless Rwandans.
On July 1, 2021, I had the privilege of speaking with the only American that remained in Kigali, Rwanda during the Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994. In April of 1994, Carl Wilkens had been living in Kigali, Rwanda for four years as the director of ADRA for Rwanda, a humanitarian branch of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Mr. Wilkens was living with his wife Teresa and three young children, as well two Rwandans who worked in his home. When the genocide began that month, Mr. Wilkens refused to leave Rwanda. Even when the United States Embassy was evacuated and the United Nations removed the majority of their troops, he said, “I’m not leaving.” Against the advice of his country, church, and friends, he stayed true to his word and he did not leave. He chose to stay and helped save the lives of not only the Rwandans who lived and worked in his home, but the lives of hundreds of orphans to whom he brought a daily supply of water and other critical goods. His heroic and selfless actions in being the only American to remain in Kigali throughout the genocide, which lasted three months, are recounted in his book I’m Not Leaving. Mr. Wilkens was featured in the documentary film “Ghosts of Rwanda” and is the founder of the educational non-profit World Outside My Shoes.
Mr. Wilken’s noted that his book was not so much about the genocide, but rather “the choices people made, actions people took, courage people showed and sacrifices people gave in the face of genocide.” The choices that he personally made ended up saving the lives of countless people, including the lives of the two people who lived in his home and were Tutsis, and many children of an orphanage. Choosing to remain in Rwanda and refusing the U.S. government’s help to evacuate was a pivotal moment which Wilkens described in his book as “the beginning of a shift from trusting in institutions and government to trusting individuals.” In our conversation, Mr. Wilkens spoke of his choice not to evacuate, which was a “hard decision” yet also a “very clear” decision because he considered the Rwandan members of his household to be part of his family. He was moved by his “ability to connect” coupled with a belief that his presence could “make a difference” in saving their lives. He noted that in the context of a million people killed in the genocide, the lives of those two people may seem small, yet to them it was everything. Mr. Wilkens expounded upon his belief that, “We all can do something” and it requires “starting where we are and really believing we can make a difference.”
We also discussed whether in the years he lived in Rwanda preceding the genocide, he saw an escalation of the tensions between the Tutsis and Hutus. Mr. Wilkens explained his belief that contrary to a simplified narrative, “This is not a story of Hutus hating Tutsis or vice versa.” There was nothing “spontaneous” about the genocide. Rather, “in reality the genocide [was] very much a political event.” Mr. Wilkens observed that the “foundation” of the genocide was a “political power struggle” and when it is understood as a “politically constructed event” then it is clear that this did not have to happen. He noted that, “Ordinary people don’t solve problems with genocide.” Yet, an “external narrative” has the ability to become “internalized” with deadly results.
Mr. Wilkens also shared his thoughts on the failure of the international community, including the United Nations, to do more to stop the genocide. In his book, he wrote about the weeks preceding April 6, 1994 wherein the presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (“UNAMIR”), which included troops patrolling streets in “an effort to calm the mounting tensions,” in fact created a “false sense of security.” Specifically, had UNAMIR not come across as “protectors,” more Rwandans “would have taken necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their families.” The presence of the UN encouraged people not to flee, but then actually ended up “facilitat[ing] the logistical work of killing.” People “fled to the UNAMIR camps for protection” and then when UNAMIR withdrew, the Interahamwe was able to more easily kill Tutsis because they were gathered in one place. The places that people fled to for protection, including the UN camps and churches, ended up contributing to their deaths. Mr. Wilkens shared his thoughts on this aspect of the genocide, as well as the members of the UN who stayed and worked to find solutions.
Mr. Wilkens also shared his beliefs on the value of building personal relationships and concluded, “If I was going to try to do anything helpful, I [had] to connect.” He shared his thoughts on how he believes that every person has the capacity to change course, even people who were leading and carrying out a genocide.
Mr. Wilkens expounded on his beliefs about the “idea of pathways” and how “people can change course.” He explained that it is necessary to “get rid of the idea that there are good guys and bad guys.” He illustrated this by relating a profound story of his experience in rescuing orphans. After the orphans were rescued, he returned to the orphanage to retrieve their belongings where he had a transformational encounter with the killers in the genocide. He recalled, “One minute they’re trying to kill us, the next they’re helping to load the stuff.” Mr. Wilkens concluded that, “When we engage our mind and our muscles in acts of service, it changes the way we see ourselves and others.”
Wilkens further discussed his beliefs related to the transformative power of acts of service, as well as his thoughts on restorative justice. He shared his thoughts that restorative justice requires understanding the harm, developing a repair plan, and having all voices be heard.
We also discussed the value that was gained from the gacaca court system. Mr. Wilkens highlighted the benefits that stems from a justice system that prioritizes truth, engagement, and understanding the harm.
Finally, Mr. Wilkens generously shared a profound final message. Among other things he shared that looking for the truth is necessary to understand the harm and the top priority must be healing. A “legacy of healing” and a “legacy of repairing” is necessary for the people that were killed in the genocide. Lastly and quite simply, “We repeat what we don't repair.”
Mr. Wilkens - Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in speaking with me. Your remarkable selflessness and courage during the genocide, as well as your thoughtful reflections in its aftermath, are a true inspiration.
