The Tanzanian Government Blog: Rwanda's reaction to President Kikwete's statement shocking

http://www.tanzaniangovernment.blogspot.de/2013/05/rwandas-reaction-to-president-kikwetes_8702.html?m=1

Friday, 31 May 2013

Rwanda's reaction to President Kikwete's statement shocking

On 26 May 2013 in Addis Ababa the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, convened the first meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and Region. It was at this important meeting where the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete made what many level headed commentators have referredto as candid and commonsensical remarks about the protracted conflicts in the Great Lakes Region. President Kikwete - a seasoned and consummate diplomat who has helped broker many peace deals in Africa - remarked that it was high time Rwanda and Uganda gave serious attention to peace talks with FDLR and ADFrebels respectively. He said, and correctly so, that it was evident the barrel of the gun cannot bring about the ultimate answer as testified by the recurrence of fighting in our region. He never condoned the role that the FDLR rebels played in the 1994 genocide. He was being reasonable and pragmatic.

Rwanda should know better than any other country that there is no way Tanzania would condone or sympathize with the perpetrators of genocide. To make suchinsinuations is, quite frankly, a demonstration of breathtaking ignorance about Tanzania's enviable and unparalleled history - the history of speaking out against any forms of crimes and injustices. Moreover, for Rwanda to make such insinuations is to show just what a short memory span this country has.

Admittedly, genocide brought about painful and unforgettable misery to the people of Rwanda but its spillover effects were felt well beyond its borders. The effects of genocide were felt right inside Tanzania which had to shoulder the burden ofproviding for thousands of Rwandan refugees. By the way, Tanzania has a long history of taking good care of Rwandan refugees both before and after genocide.The sons and daughters of the Rwandan refugees benefitted from Tanzania'sgenerous education system by studying, for free, at the country's Universities and many of them are now occupying high positions in the Government of their motherland.

So given the foregoing, I have to say that I have been taken aback by ourneighbors' over-reaction to what was a completely innocuous statement byPresident Kikwete. Indeed, what the President said could (and should) have been said by other leaders a long time ago. What he said is a no-brainer!  It is commonsensical!  Negotiations have a much better chance of resulting into durable peace than the use of force. Thus, I find the reactions from Rwanda not only disturbing but also objectionable and utterly impudent! What is even more shocking is the discourteous behavior shown by the Rwanda's Foreign Minister.  She seems to be getting too much big for her boots as to suggest that PresidentKikwete's statement was absurd! She even has the audacity to ask that he should retract it. If anything, I think it is our Foreign Ministry which should summon the Ambassador of Rwanda in Dar es Salaam and ask him to clarify his Minister's inadvisable utterances.

For far too long now the international community has adopted a softly softly approach with respect to Rwanda and this has meant that this tiny country getsaway with literally everything, even murder. Rwanda has become like a spoiled child - untouchable and overly sensitive to everything even the slightest suggestion of censure. Rwanda has a tendency of not taking kindly any form of criticism whether from within or without. And its leadership comes across as snobbish and delusional. May be the western countries' plaudits about its so called success storyhave finally got into the heads of Rwandan leaders so much that they think they know it all.

For Rwanda to say that they cannot engage in talks with FDLR rebels because of their role in 1994 genocide is to allow themselves to be the captives of the past. History is replete with numerous instances of former sworn enemies burying their hatchets and extending an olive branch to one another for the sake of peaceful coexistence and future prosperity. This happened in South Africa where ANC and other progressive movements sat down with the perpetrators of one of the most brutal and inhumane policies in the history of mankind (apartheid) and agreed to work together in an inclusive and democratic society. Similarly, after many decades of committing some of the most heinous crimes against the people of Angola, UNITA is now part of the democratic government of that country. And in 2011, US and its allies initiated direct talks with some elements of the Taliban in Doha (Qatar), if my memory serves me well.

Rwanda should wake up and smell the coffee! Being delusional has not workedand won't work.  It is now close to 20 yrs since the 1994 genocide and during all that time Rwanda has not been able to achieve its objectives visa vis FDLR rebelsthrough the use of force.  Any sane person in Kigali should see the wisdom of changing the tactic/strategy which is, for all purposes and intents, what our President said in the Statement. Rwanda should understand that by calling for direct talks, Tanzania does not suggest, by any stretch of imagination, that the architects and executors of genocide should go scot free. Not at all! Talks can, and indeed should, offer the mechanism of dealing with known perpetrators of genocide by isolating them from non-perpetrators such as those born after 1994.This is just one example of approaching talks. I am sure there are many others.

But talking of genocide, am I wrong in recalling that even President Kagame himself was once found to be complicit in this crime by a French Magistrate? I recall that Rwanda's reaction to this finding was, as we have come to expect, fast and furious to the extent of severing its diplomatic relations with France. Again, this goes to show that this "spoiled child" can't stand any sort of censure or straight talking. I also recall that as recent as last year a UN report revealed that Rwanda's Kagame had committed or assisted in committing genocide in DRC!

Despite all this compelling evidence, neighbors of Rwanda are still ready to engage that country in talks. Why can't Rwanda show the same attitude? And lest he forgets, Kagame himself and his RPF henchmen come from a background of rebellion. They were rebels operating from Ugandan forests before taking over power in 1994. However, despite their "rebels" status they were invited and took part in the Arusha peace process of the early 1990s.  

Finally, I have a gut feeling that Rwanda doesn't want FDLR rebels to go awaythat's is why it is vehemently opposing the suggestion of talks which is one sure way of ending this conflict once and for all. This because, the perpetual presence of FDLR rebels in DRC gives Rwanda a convenient excuse to interfere in the DRC's affairs thereby making the country ungovernable for its own economic and geopolitical interests. I read somewhere that Rwanda's army – which is one of the biggest for a country of that economy and size - is mainly sustained by the exploitation of DRC's natural resources. So, Rwanda goes into the DRC on the pretext that it is in hot pursuit of the FDLR rebels but in actual fact what it does is to plunder the resources.

And Rwanda is particularly angry with Tanzania because by being part ofMONUSCO in DRC, its misdeeds will be exposed and curtailed by our non-nonsense troops. So the over-reaction to our President's innocuous statement should not be seen in isolation. It is part of the frustration born out of the uneasy situation which Rwanda finds itself in as a result of our troops being part of the UN/SADC intervention force in DRC.

I submit.

Concerned Citizen.

European Union challenges Rwandan heavy handed leadership

http://www.afjn.org/component/content/article/1163-european-union-challenges-rwandan-heavy-handed-leadership.html

European Union challenges Rwandan heavy handed leadership

 

Posted on May 29, 2013

Although Rwandan President Paul Kagame has powerful friends like Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, Bill Clinton, former US President, and Rick Warren, a American evangelical Christian Pastor, just to name a few, who believe in and support Kagame's constitutional dictatorial regime, his victims have powerful friends who believe in democracy and freedom as the basis for lasting peace and prosperity in Rwanda.

The European Union (EU) is the latest body outside Rwanda to challenge the man on his heavy handed leadership.  In a resolution which only focuses on the case of the opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, who was arrested on  October 14, 2010 and has been in jail ever since, the European Union cracks open the door for the world to see just a very small aspect of what Kagame's powerful friends and publicists do not want you to know. The resolution declares that: "the consolidation of democracy – including ensuring the independence of the judiciary and the participation of opposition parties – is crucial, particularly in view of the 2013 parliamentary elections and the presidential election to be held in 2017."  It also acknowledges that "the Rwandan genocide and civil war of 1994 continue to have a negative impact on the stability of the region"

 As recent as On May 18, 2013 Oxford University distanced itself from President Kagame's presence on its campus calling him a "controversial figure" and called on those who attended the event he was invited to "to challenge him as appropriate." Read the resolution here.  Download PDF file

The Economic and Development Problem of Africa: A Problem of Governance

http://www.afjn.org/focus-campaigns/other/other-continental-issues/80-democracy-and-governance/1167--the-economic-and-development-problem-of-africa-a-problem-of-governance.html

The Economic and Development Problem of Africa: A Problem of Governance

 

By  Aniedi Okure, OP – Executive Director, AFJN. Paper presented  on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network ( AEFJN), Brussels April 22-25

A close examination reveals that the problem has to do mainly with governance: the common good, resource distribution, citizens' participation, transparency & accountability and economic justice. To address the economic problems, first you must tackle the systemic problems inherent in governance in Africa. Read the full document here

THE RECENT STATEMENTS OF THE TANZANIAN PRESIDENT USHER HOPE AND A NEW ERA IN THE ENTIRE GREAT LAKES REGION

http://www.rud-urunana.org/documentation/NDC-CND-PP-Comm-29May201300.pdf

CND-NDC

Congrès National pour la Démocratie National Democratic Congress

Tel: 001-201-794-6542 /
001-506-461-3919
Email: urunana@optonline.net
url: www.rud-urunana.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESSRELEASE PPNO.01/MAY/13

THE RECENT STATEMENTS OF THE TANZANIAN PRESIDENT USHER HOPE AND A NEW ERA IN THE ENTIRE GREAT LAKES REGION

While the entire African continent was celebrating the OAU/AU 50th Anniversary, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania enounced a clear vision on how the seemingly intractable problems of the Africa Great Lakes Region could be and shall be approached in order enjoy an era of everlasting peace in the region. In his address, he clearly indicated and categorically stated that the enduring problems of the Eastern DRC shall not be resolved by military force alone but to the contrary it should be through direct negotiations between current contested regimes and their respective oppositions. Hence, he specifically called upon the respective leaders of Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda to engage in direct negotiations with their armed oppositions.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), a RUD/RPR Coalition, would like to state unequivocally that it welcomes the bold statements of President Kikwete. Meanwhile, the assessment of several independent political analysts, observers, and human rights organizations has come to the conclusion that the regime in Kigali oppresses its own citizens. Therefore, Rwanda is where solutions must be found and applied if any everlasting peace was to be established. The unruly Rwandan political situation is political in nature and thus requires political solutions through direct and genuine dialogue all the components and/or groups of the Rwandan people. It is important to remind the public that this constitutes one of our long standing positions.

Therefore, our Organization is extremely pleased to see that after almost two decades of rampant conflicts and despair in the region and particularly in Rwanda, one of the most respected regional leaders has charted a clear vision and enounced principles that are at the core identical to those long advocated by the NDC.

In addition, it is important to note that President Kikwete's bold statements came after the recent nomination of Mary Robinson as the UN Special Envoy for the Africa's Great Lakes Region by the UN Security Council. The appointment of such high profile Envoy has always been one of the demands our Organization has been advocating for several years. Our organization is of the opinion that the synergy of the clear vision of the Tanzanian President and the nomination of the UN Special Envoy are necessary ingredients that have the great potential of finally bringing hope and peace to a region ravaged by wars, war crimes, atrocities, and human rights abuse.

We are of the opinion that the International Community would agree with us that basic human rights, democracy, and self determination are values that must not be compromised on; these are universal values that must be neither trampled upon nor stifled by any regime, regardless of the excuses. The needs for survival of the leaders of a brutal regime such of Rwanda cannot override the basic human rights and the right to life of individuals.

To stop the rolling humanitarian disaster in the region, it is time that the International Community and especially regional leaders take notice of President Kikwete's bold vision if there were any genuine commitment to solving this Africa's Great Lakes Region problem once for all. Instead of resolving to threats, insults, and obstructions, our Organization calls upon Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, in particular to seize this golden opportunity and take substantive measures in order to translate in positive actions his colleague's vision as the only guarantee for genuine peace and stability in Rwanda and in the region as a whole.

Thus, our Organization would like to reaffirm the following principles that constitute the cornerstones of finding lasting solution of the plight in which the Great Lakes Region has been enduring for decades:

•   The NDC remains committed to peace and peaceful solutions as it has already demonstrated during the short-lived Kisangani Process that led to Kasiki settlement Centre.

•   Our Organization is convinced that the principles that were laid in Kisangani Roadmap and subsequently reaffirmed in Rome on Jan. 27/2009 may form a solid foundation in contributing to the lasting solution of the Rwandan refugee problem in Eastern DRC and the region.

 Our Organization is thankful to the UN Secretary General for the nomination of Mary Robinson as the UN Special Envoy for Africa's Great Lakes Region, as this may constitute the best way towards a timely and durable resolution of the Rwandan refugees impasse.

•   As our Organization has always stated, the Rwandan problem is political in nature and as such requires political solutions. The current political and undemocratic situation prevailing in Rwanda is the root cause of the endemic instability in the region as it has been confirmed by recent events. Therefore, it is our firm conviction that as long as the Rwandan problem is not resolved the Africa's Great Lakes region will remain unstable.

•   In order to foster a reconciliatory Justice system, the only foundation of genuine Reconciliation, we urgently ask to hold, under the auspices of the International Community, an Inter-Rwandan Dialogue. In addition, our organization calls for the organization of a "Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation" Commission in our homeland that would help heal a traumatized society.

•   We remain convinced that only this Dialogue would lead to lasting peace, stability, and the establishment of new political, judiciary, and security institutions that would be the reflection of the legitimate aspirations of all the constitutive groups of the Rwandan society.

•   Our Organization has the firm commitment to constructively and actively contributes to finding lasting and peaceful solutions to the problems that have plagued our homeland and the Africa's Great Lakes Region as a whole. Hence, our Organization adheres without any reserve to President Kikwete's bold vision as enounced in the Addis-Abeba (Ethiopia) on May 26, 2013.

  May 29, 2013

  DR. AUGUSTIN DUKUZE SPOKESPERSON 

 

Fw: *DHR* Open Letter to Ban Ki-moon in Protest at President Kikwete’s genocide denial and revisionist declaration [1 pièce jointe]

"He [President Kikwete] either has a short memory or he deliberately decided to ignore the most recent horrors of genocide victims whose remains trekked unforgettable routes through his river Kagera up to the their current resting place where over ten thousand souls are laid to rest in Kansesero and Lambu on the shores of lake Victoria. May God bless the Ugandan citizens, who unlike Kikwete, offered their humane hearts and resources to give those remains a honorable burial place", The Association of Genocide Student Survivors and Alumni (AERG/GEARG  
 
For your info....

 

Attached is fax from UNHCR about RPA killings of Hutu refugees in Rusomo.

Also please read:

http://hungryoftruth.blogspot.com/2009/05/rwandan-genocide-bodies-that-were.html

The Rwandan Genocide: The Bodies That Were Floating In The Kagera River Were Victims Of The RPA

By Radio Katwe
"la kweli nitakwambia"
Kampala
October 10, 2007

A reader is questioning our story on the late Col William Bagire who was the commander of the RPA's 7th Mobile Battalion. The reader says that Bagire and his 7th Mobile operated through Rwamagana and never came close to the River Akagera so he could not have slaughtered Rwandese and thrown them into the River Akagera.

We can tell the reader that he is right when he says that the 7th Mobile used to be based in Rwamagana. But we can also tell him and other readers that the 7th Mobile was one time ordered to go to the bridge over the River Akagera for that special operation. We have eye witnesses and also people who themselves took part in the killings.

We had all accepted the story that the bodies that floated down River Akagera into Lake Victoria in Uganda were "Tutsis" murdered by "Hutus". No one checked each body one by one to know who was who. But what we can tell from the data so far is that among those bodies we in Uganda saw were victims of the RPA when they made a special operation and rounded up Rwandese who were grouped as Hutus and finished them off. We are repeating for your information that among the Rwandese who were hacked and thrown into the River Akagera in April to May 1994 were these Hutu victims of RPA.

The victims were brought to the area with their hands tied behind their backs. We shall soon bring you the names of the RPA intelligence officers who led this operation. We have the names of Bagire and the other commanders.

The Hutus were brought to the area and they were full of too much fear. We have specific information on incidents where they were hit by a small hoe (called "Akafuni" in Uganda) and then thrown into the Kagera. These are the bodies which floated down the river into Lake Victoria and washed up in Uganda in Masaka.

You should also take note that under the 1993 Arusha accord with the Habyarimana government and the RPF, the RPF was given control of the area of Rwanda which has the Akagera River.

If you look at a map you will see that where the River Akagera enters into Lake Victoria is where the RPF was in control. And they had control in that area even long before the genocide started. So how could the troops of the Habyarimana government kill Tutsis and throw them into River Akagera when that was an area controlled by the powerful RPA?

If you saw first hand or from TV pictures in 1994, you would have seen that many of the bodies floating down the Akagera into Lake Victoria were tied the "kandoya" style of the NRA in Luwero.

These things we know and you will hear more coming out. We have data on the massacres against Rwandese in 1994, both Hutus and Tutsis who opposed Kagame. We have names of people who were burned alive in the Amahoro stadium in containers. This was under the command of Lt. Col. Jackson Rwahama by the way who is also President Kagame's cousin.

We know the story of the genocide is too complicated even for us to tell you every detail up to 100%. We know militant Hutus took part in the massacres. What we don't hear at all anywhere except in small whispers full of fear is about the role of RPA/RPF.

In the genocide, we only hear the role of the RPA as angels who saved Rwanda. The true story is that during that time, there were no angels in Rwanda. That is the only fact you should know and nobody should deceive you that for them, their hands are clean. We know these things.

Related Materials:

Government of Rwanda Suspends BBC Local Language (Kinyarwanda) Programmes

Uganda to rebury Rwanda genocide victims

During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Kagame massacred both Hutu and Tutsi

From: Nzinink <nzinink@yahoo.com>
To: Nzinink <nzinink@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 10:28 PM
Subject: *DHR* Open Letter to Ban Ki-moon in Protest at President Kikwete's genocide denial and revisionist declaration

 

http://www.rnanews.com/politics/7274-open-letter-of-protest-at-president-kikwetes-genocide-denial-and-revisionist-declaration

Open Letter of Protest at President Kikwete's genocide denial and revisionist declaration

RE: Open Letter of Protest at President Kikwete's genocide denial and revisionist declaration at 50th Anniversary of African Unity, Addis Ababa.

UN Secretary General 
Ban Ki-moon
United Nations
New York, NY 10017 USA
212-963-5012 fax: 212-963-7055
Email: ecu@un.org 

May 28, 2013

RE: Open Letter of Protest at President Kikwete's genocide denial and revisionist declaration at 50th Anniversary of African Unity, Addis Ababa 

On May 26, at the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete made a statement that will go down in history as one of the most dehumanizing. Speaking at during the meeting for the parties concerned by the regional Peace Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Kikwete wants the FDLR genocidal force treated as victims. From President Kikwete's understanding, the genocidal forces waiting to exterminate Tutsis have to be given red carpet welcome to thank them and thereby allow them to continue their agenda. 

We, the Association of Genocide Student Survivors and Alumni (AERG/GEARG), want to set the record straight that President Kikwete's statement has exposed the following: 

1.    He has declared his shameless and insensitive support for the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi;  
2.    He disregarded the would-be human morals for all the sane people of the world who regard and have condemned the genocide, and the genocide perpetrators as the worse criminals the world has ever experienced;  
3.    President Kikwete declared himself as Genocide denier and revisionist, and unfortunately implicated the people on whose behalf he made this genocidal statement;   
4.    He either has a short memory or he deliberately decided to ignore the most recent horrors of genocide victims whose remains trekked unforgettable routes through his river Kagera up to the their current resting place where over ten thousand souls are laid to rest in Kansesero and Lambu on the shores of lake Victoria. May God bless the Ugandan citizens, who unlike Kikwete, offered their humane hearts and resources to give those remains a honorable burial place;  

We request President Kikwete to borrow a leaf from such experience other than providing moral backup to the same perpetrators who still have the spirit to return and exterminate us once and for all;  

We want to remind President Kikwete that we know our history, let him leave us alone. We know how to manage our post Genocide challenges. If he has chosen to support those who want to accomplish their unfinished mission of genocide against the Tutsi, he should be rest-assured that he will never succeed because we shall never die again; 

We want to remind President Kikwete that, as orphans and widows who survived through unbearable suffering, today live and share daily life with those who killed us but have however confessed and apologized to the entire Rwandan society for their crimes committed against us;  

On February 17, 2005, while visiting Rwanda, when he was Foreign Affairs Minister of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete toured the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre, where more than 250,000 remains are laid to rest. In the memorial book, Kikwete wrote: "It is horrifying, saddening, and pitiful too. Let this be a reminder once again for such abominable things to happen again. Let us say never again, and make sure it really doesn't happen again". 

We wonder whether a difference of about eight years has left President Kikwete in complete loss of memory of what he said at Gisozi. It is shameful that Kikwete can abuse the welcome accorded to him by Rwandans back in 2005, and the following year, as President, as well as the countless times he has visited.   

His utterances at the AU present a miscarriage to the late Mwalimu Nyerere legacy for the unity and brotherhood of the Tanzanian peoples, and all African communities. In making his negationist statement, President Kikwete has not only dishonored Nyerere's Vision but also dehumanized the Tanzanian peoples as unconditional accomplices to his genocide denial and revisionist comments.

If the UN Secretary General is planning peace for this region, at the same time as people like President Kikwete rekindle the seeds of destruction, what peace will be achieved?  
We, undersigned, the student survivors, ask for nothing less than an apology for the despicable utterances. 

Faithfully, 

Cc: 
-    EAC Heads of States
-    The President of the United States of America
-    The African Union
-    East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)
-    All Embassies Accredited to Rwanda
-    The National Assembly of Tanzania
-    The Rwanda Civil Society Platform

Fw: [AfricaWatch] Rwanda’s incongruous response to Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete proposal for a political solution to the Congo crisis

 

http://therisingcontinent.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/rwandas-incongruous-response-to-tanzanian-president-jakaya-kikwete-proposal-for-a-political-solution-to-the-congo-crisis/

Rwanda's incongruous response to Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete proposal for a political solution to the Congo crisis

Posted on May 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

Congolese protesters on November 28th, 2012 in front of the Rwandan High Commission in London – UK.

Professor Charles Kambanda

The Addis Ababa Peace Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo signed in February of this year highlighted that the UN intervention brigade meant to take on all armed groups in DRC must be backed by a politically sustainable strategy. At the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity, celebrated in Addis Ababa, the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete underscored the necessity of talks between the governments of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo with the armed groups fighting these governments from Congolese territory. In particular, the Tanzanian president suggested that President Paul Kagame of Rwanda ought to hold direct talks with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Rwanda [FDLR], the Rwandan armed rebel movement operating from the Congolese provinces of North Kivus. President Kagame has adamantly rejected President Kikwete's proposal.

The comical response from the Government of Rwanda (GoR)
Rwanda's foreign minister and the GoR spokesperson's response was that her government does not envisage talks with FDLR, a group her government refers to as genocidaire (a group responsible for genocide). The survivors of the Tutsi genocide associations, which are sponsored by Kagame's government, have condemned the Tanzanian president's proposal citing the same reason. Some of the Tutsi genocide survivors' organizations have termed President Kikwete a 'genocide denier'. It should be recalled that the traditional unresolved ethnic conflict (between the Hutu and Tutsi) in Rwanda is the direct cause of the 1994 crimes of international concern including genocide against the Tutsi and the 1996/99 crimes of international concern including genocide against the Hutu in Congo as documented by the UN Mapping Rapport.

Counter "genocide" accusation between the Hutu and Tutsi
The Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army (RPF/A) is a predominately Tutsi political and military group. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a predominately Hutu political and military group. In 1990, RPF/A attacked the then Hutu-led government of Rwanda. The civil war between the predominately Tutsi rebels and predominately Hutu government was characterized by horrific crimes of international concern including genocide. Both sides used international crimes, including genocide, as a military and political tool; to weaken, demoralize and humiliate the 'enemy' as well as demonizing the 'enemy' for political triumph and international sympathy for 'our' group. Whichever side would win the war, it was clear during the Rwandan ethnic civil war that the victor would demonize the vanquished 'enemy'. The Tutsi victors, led by Kagame, did exactly that.

The Tutsi won the civil war
RPF wasted no time; they sought and received a UN resolution condemning the "Rwandan genocide". The UN set up an international tribunal, the ICTR in Arusha Tanzania, to hold perpetrators of Rwandan genocide accountable. For political reasons, the ICTR did not try any Tutsi perpetrator. RPF then set to 'market' their narrative of the "Rwandan genocide". The Hutu, the vanquished, were labeled evil, perpetrators of the Tutsi genocide. The Tutsi were innocent victims. RPF/A made it a taboo and illegal to mention the international crimes, including genocide, RPF/A had committed against the Hutu in Rwanda and Congo. The vanquished Hutu did not give up either. They created their force, FDLR. In essence, until 2005 when Kagame divide FDLR and "repatriated" some FDLR top commanders, FDLR was to the Hutu what RPF/A was to the Tutsi. Either ethnic group needed an armed group to protect their group against extermination.

Each ethnic group (Tutsi and Hutu) has perpetrators and victims of international crimes, including genocide
No country in contemporary history has politicized and legitimized horrific crimes, including genocide, like Rwanda. Both Tutsi and Hutu have extremists who are ordinarily considered heroes for perpetrating horrendous crimes against the 'enemy' ethnic group on behalf of 'our' ethnic group. The insane ethnic 'common consciousness' among ordinary Hutu and Tutsi legitimizes horrible crimes, including genocide, against 'our' enemy. Each ethnic group has its "ethnic crusaders". The Rwandan "ethnic crusaders", Tutsi or Hutu, can do or say anything to sustain and market their ethnic narrative no matter how ridiculous and false their narrative might be. Rwanda's political culture operates on the axis that the victor takes it all and their narrative becomes the oppressive law and biased story/history. Today it is the Tutsi in power and their narrative prevails. For over thirty years prior to 1994, it was the Hutu in power, their narrative prevailed.

Propaganda aside, each side has stinking criminals (devils) and innocent people (good guys). If Kagame cannot negotiate with the Hutu rebels because the Hutu rebels are accused of genocide … because the ICC indicted the leader of the Hutu rebels (FDLR) … then Kagame puts his own alleged crimes in issue. 
First, Kagame and his RPF/A top commanders have been indicted by both Spanish and French courts, for crimes of international concern including terrorism and genocide against the Hutu. Second, the former International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) prosecutor concluded investigations into a significant number of the Tutsi RPF/A top commanders' international crimes. Kagame himself was investigated for international crimes. The ICTR prosecutor was prepared to prosecute Kagame and some of his RPF/A top commanders for international crimes and 'possibly genocide' against the Hutu. President Bush, then Kagame's buddy, ordered the ICC not to prosecute Kagame because that would create a diplomatic crisis between USA and Rwanda (Kagame), a "strategic" US ally in the region. Third, the United Nations Mapping Report has detailed international crimes, including, possible genocide, against the Hutu that Kagame and his troops allegedly committed in Congo against Rwandan Hutu refugees. Kagame himself is a suspect of the same international crimes. Apparently, Kagame has no moral authority to condemn the same crimes he allegedly committed and are well documented. Kagame is praised for having stopped the Tutsi genocide. However, he allegedly perpetrated genocide against the Hutu.

Demonizing the "other" ethnic group for political survival
An ordinary Hutu or Tutsi does not recognize the 'other' ethnic group (Hutu or Tutsi) as legitimate and equal holder of rights and freedoms. The ethnic group leaders in power always use State apparatus to oppress and exclude the "other' ethnic group. Kagame's ruling ethnic clique feels insecure about the "other" ethnic group. Demonizing the oppressed ethnic group is a psychological catalyst to justify elimination and exclusion of the "wrong" ethnic group's access to the country's limited resources, as equal stakeholders. Kagame has successfully demonized the Hutu, the vanquished, with the "genocide" brand name. Proposing direct talks with FDLR is like "robbing" Kagame of his political survival tool. Kagame would stop at nothing to resist any call for him to talk peace with his political and ethnic foes; Hutu, Tutsi and/or Twa.

The argument that FDLR is a group of people that committed genocide is probably false
All FDLR founders and first top commanders, until around 2005, "renounced" the Hutu rebellion. They all serve in Kagame's government now. These commanders were never prosecuted or given amnesty. Kagame insists the FDLR founders who accepted to join his government are innocent. It follows, therefore, that Kagame's concern with FDLR is not genocide. Kagame is scared of the military capacity of FDLR which remains one of the few serious threat to his dictatorship. If the founders of FDLR and its top commanders are not guilty of genocide, how does Kagame explain that FDLR is a group of 'genocidaires'? There is no known criminal law theory to justify the" FDLR genocidaire" theory as Kagame claims. In Kagame's social-political paradigm, FDLR signifies a Hutu armed rebellion which threatens his monopoly of power and authority. The ICC has indicted the top FDLR commander, Gen. Mudacumura. However, Gen. Mudacumura was not indicted for genocide. If FDLR has committed genocide, as Kagame insists, why didn't the Rwandan government hand over evidence for genocide to the ICC for Mudacumura to be indicted for genocide?
It is evident that Kagame's "hypersensitivity" to the Tanzanian leader's proposal is a defense mechanism, motivated by his fear for what would happen to his Tutsi clique if he is forced to share power with his political and ethnic foes.

Conclusion
President Kikwete's proposal is the only meticulous way to go for sustainable peace in Congo. Kagame ought to accept direct talks with all his political opponents including the Hutu rebels (FDLR). The government of Rwanda's hilarious response to president Kikwete's proposal is regrettable but not surprising. Kagame's political survival is pegged on demonizing, assassinating and imprisoning his political opponents. Genocide, an unfortunate crime Rwandans have been subjected to, has been Kagame's major tool for oppressing and terrorizing Rwandans in general and political opponents in particular. Although some people in FDLR could have committed genocide against the Tutsi, there is no clear evidence to prove that FDLR as a group committed genocide.

In any case, Gen. Kagame is not a court of law. Kagame himself, and a significant number of people in his Tutsi clique-controlled government, are accused of horrible crimes, including genocide, against the Hutu refugees in Congo. The Tanzanian government should use its political and economic capacities to pressure Gen. Kagame into a dialogue with his political opponents including FDLR.

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Fw: *DHR* RWANDA : POLITICAL OPPOSITION WELCOMES TANZANIA PRESIDENT J. KIKWETE’S WISE AND HISTORIC ADVICE FOR LASTING PEACE

 

http://www.fdu-rwanda.com/en/

RWANDA : POLITICAL OPPOSITION WELCOMES TANZANIA PRESIDENT J. KIKWETE'S WISE AND HISTORIC ADVICE FOR LASTING PEACE

MAY 31, 2013  

PRESS RELEASE.

Date : 31^st May 2013.

In Addis Ababa, on 26^th May, 2013, in a speech before the African Union, at the first meeting of the regional oversight mechanism of the peace, security and cooperation framework for the DRC and the region, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE, President of the United Republic of Tanzania advised that comprehensive and lasting peace will be realised at the negotiating table and that time has come to reach out to FDLR, ADF and other negative forces with the view to ending the circle of violence. The President of Tanzania reiterated that supporting a peace deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo, necessitated a global peace deal that would include negotiating with the rebel groups.

"I am of the view that the enlargement of MONUSCO and the deployment of Intervention Brigade to play a dissuading role will not end the war. Ultimately, and comprehensive and lasting peace will be realised at the negotiating table. Let us give serious attention to peace talks. Let the Mechanism support the process in Kampala. Time has come to reach out to FDLR, ADF and other negative forces with the view to ending the circle of violence", he said.

We, the undersigned, representing the political opposition to the Kigali regime, welcome President Kikwete's wise and historic advice. For there to be a just and lasting peace in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region, the RPF government in Kigali has to engage, unconditionally, the Rwanda's political opposition and other forces.

The RPF government has now launched a vicious media and PR campaign against H.E. President KIKWETE. This is a misguided and counter-productive approach that does not contribute to peace and security in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region.

Tanzania has historically been a major player in resolving the conflicts in Africa, and specially in Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania is providing troops to the Intervention Brigade in eastern DRC as part of a United Nations mandate to support the peace process. Tanzania is a respected member of the international community.

We call upon Rwandans, Africans and the whole international community to support President KIKWETE's call for a global peace process in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

We call upon the Government of Rwanda to stop its gross human rights abuses, release all of the political prisoners, open the political space, and unconditionally start dialogue with the opposition. This is the only viable pathway toward sustainable peace, security and development in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region.

Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana

Coordinator

FDU-Inkingi

Lausanne

Switzerland

Alexis Bakunzibake

Vice President

PS-Imberakuri

Kigali

Rwanda

 

Etienne Masozera

President

Amahoro -People's Congress

Ottawa

Canada

 

Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa

Coordinator

Rwanda National Congress (RNC)

Washington DC

USA

 

Contact: sixbert.musangamfura@gmail.com

Opposition welcomes Kikwete's historic remark on Rwanda

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Fw: [AfricaWatch] Rwanda: The prosecutor seems to ignore where the Interim Secretary-General of FDU-Inkingi is detained!

 

http://www.fdu-rwanda.com/en/rwanda-le-procureur-ne-sait-pas-ou-est-detenu-le-secretaire-general-des-fdu-inkingi/#more-2785

Rwanda: The prosecutor seems to ignore where the Interim Secretary-General of FDU-Inkingi is detained!

MAY 27, 2013  

Kigali , May 27, 2013.

 

On Monday, May 27, 2013, Mr. Sylvain Sibomana, the Interim Secretary-General of FDU-Inkingi, and Dominique Shyirambere, were supposed to appear before the High Court of Kigali. The hearing did not take place due to the absence of all of the defendants. As a reminder, Mr. Sylvain Sibomana is detained in Muhanga Prison while Dominique Shyirambere is held in Remera prison.

 

The court was meant to hear both parties the plaintiffs and the defendants, on the extension of the provisional detention of 30 days which expired before the appeal hearing session was held. In his ruling, the judge of Kabuga Intermediary Court had ordered that the accused should be detained in Remera prison. Such a court's ruling was simply ignored given the fact that on May 18, 2013, Mr. Sylvain Sibomana was forcibly transferred to Gitarama.

 

This transfer seems to be a delaying tactic aimed at preventing their case from being heard in a court of justice. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly clear that the government takes away the defendants from the prisons to which the court has assigned them to prevent them from showing up in courtroom on the day of their hearing.

 

When the court noted the absence of the accused, the defense counsel, lawyer Claude Munezero, asked why his clients are not being held in the prison to which the judge assigned them, namely, the Remera prison. He regretted the fact that such a court's decision was ignored by the prison authorities. When the prosecutor was asked about their current location of detention, he seemed to ignore it.

 

The party FDU-INKINGI once again regrets that court's decisions are torpedoed by occult orders to prison authorities in order to obstruct subpoenas by refusing to organize the transfer of detainees.

 

Mr. Sylvain Sibomana and Dominique Shyirambere were arrested on March 25, 2013, within the premises of the Supreme Court where they had come to attend the political trial of Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, FDU-Inkingi's Chair. Their obvious presence at the trial, which the authorities had hoped that it would be discreet, landed them the accusation of holding unauthorized public protest and of attempted subversion against the regime.

 

FDU-INKINGI

Boniface Twagirimana

Interim Vice President

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Fw: [uRwanda_rwacu] Rwanda: Direct talks between FDLR and Government would pave way for lasting peace in the region

"A democratic government is urgently needed in Kigali. In my opinion, it is obvious that a democratically elected government in Kigali would not need to sponsor armed groups in the provinces of North and South Kivu.

In addition, such a democratically elected government in Kigali would refuse to offer back-up bases to any Congolese armed groups, including the one belonging to the Tutsi rebel Laurent Nkundabatware, whose rebellions would shortly die off by themselves. Concerning the Rwandan armed groups, including the FDLR combatants, a democratically elected government in Kigali would not be afraid to directly discuss with them.

Direct talks between these combatants and the democratically elected Rwandan government would set up new relationships under which the armed struggle would be meaningless. These armed groups would not have any reason to refuse to face justice in Rwanda, should some of their combatants have to respond for their acts, just as any other Rwandan in similar situation would have to, especially the RPF members who are accused of several crimes, including crimes against humanity.

A democratically elected government in Kigali would provide impartial justice for all Rwandans without any discrimination. Therefore, there would be no need for such a democratic government in Kigali to request that these combatants be sent "elsewhere".

Their home is in Rwanda. That is where they belong and no where else. Most importantly, it is up to the Rwandan people to judge their fellow citizens, and not to anyone else. With numerous uncertainties and political machinations mostly owing to regional and international geopolitics, the international community can only offset the inability of the RPF regime to create suitable conditions for a fair and impartial trial in its own courts", Jean Baptiste Mberabahizi, November 11, 2008, 

In [Dealing with the reality, achieving common ground, and betting on the future].

http://hungryoftruth.blogspot.com/2009/01/rwanda-dealing-with-reality-achieving.html

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