Rwanda: P5 welcomes the release of political prisoner Mrs. Ingabire Victorie Umuhoza (16.09.2018)

Opinion: Victorie Ingabire Umuhoza is freed, but Kagame’s impunity still continues!

It is sort of welcoming that President Paul Kagame has released 2000 political prisoners. However, there is no reason to really celebrate it. Not like Kagame is reforming his ways or trying to open up for multi-party democracy, even as there is one Opposition MP in the Parliament after the recent election. Not like that person’s voice will cause a revolution.

We should know that the freedom of Victorie Ingabire Umuhoza, the opposition leader and President of FDU-Inkingi, which was arrested and detained on terrorism charges, because she challenged Kagame before the August 2010 Presidential Elections. She was later arrested in October 2010, since then she was detained on the charges explained below.

The Applicant avers that on 10 February, 2010, she received a summons requiring her to appear before a judicial police officer at the Criminal Investigation Department (ClD). According to her, she was accused of committing the offence of aiding and abetting terrorism, punishable under Article 12 of Law No. 45/2009 of 9 September, 2008, on the punishment of the offence of terrorism. She states that the allegations were “exclusively based on contacts she is said to have had with some defectors of the Forces Ddmocratiques de Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), with a view to establishing an armed branch of the political party called Forces Democratiques Unifiees, of which she is President”. She further submits that she was also charged with “spreading the ideology of genooide, sectarianism and divisionism” (African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights – ‘In the matter of Ingabire Victorie Umuhoza V. Republic of Rwanda – Judgment’ (24.11.2017).

Even if Ingabire Umuhoza now is released and allowed to do political work for FDU-Inkingi, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) still owns the Republic and Kagame is not limiting his powers. He still controls it all and everyone else, he does this for brownie points and making him look better. Even as that is not the reality. If it was so, the torture, the treatment of Ingabire and everything that happen to her while incarcerated. There was even reports of lacking of food and other acts of ill-treatment of her. She is certainly not alone in those acts of impunity against citizens behind bars. That is why, we cannot just celebrate the 2000 liberated political prisoners.

That is because we cannot give this away and give Kagame the props. Because then I am playing in the hands of him and I cannot do that. His able to play around the board of Arsenal, but the rest of us knows Red Cards, when we see them.

She was arrested for eight years on forged charges, that was the rest of them too. If not, why could Kagame suddenly show mercy to them all? If he didn’t know that he was the man behind their demise and the reason for their pain. Kagame knows this and trying to get positive news behind him. Even if they are not saying he is the reason for their demise. Which all of the pardoned prisoners should say, as the political prisoners most of them was.

Ingabire was the biggest one of the pardoned prisoners, there are still plenty of them behind bars. The other one that has challenged Kagame for Presidential Elections was Diane Rwigara, that is currently still behind bars and the state has sold of the properties of the family. While also arrested several of her relatives. So, it is not like the RPF and Kagame have changed, because they are still acting with impunity. That should never be forgotten, it is not like these pardons has changed the reality of what the Kagame regime is. Peace.

FDU-Inkingi: The UDF Party denounces an upsurge in arbitrary arrests and threats against alleged supporters in Ngoma District, Eastern Region of Rwanda (27.08.2018)

FDU-Inkingi: Condemnation of the unhuman and degrading treatment of Rwandan refugees sectioned in a Military Barracks of Lt General Baluma Kisangani (23.08.2018)

Burundi: Ministre de l’Hydraulique de le l’Energie et des Mines – Communique de Presse (08.08.2018)

Burundi: UPD-Zigamibanga – Declaration du 31 Juillet 2018 (31.07.2018)

Rwanda: The Show Trial of Political Prisoners of FDU-Inkingi Party Postponed Once More (30.07.2018)

FDU-Inkingi: “SOS Rwanda: Appeal to President Kagame to stop Criminal Plots against Political Prisoner Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza” (25.07.2018)

Opinion: Kagame will never become the next Madiba!

The respected newspaper from South Africa Mail & Guardian published a story this week on the 17th July 2018, written by Chude Jideonwo called ‘Kagame could be the next Mandela ― if he steps down’; I will beg to differ. Because Nelson Mandela is a hero and righteously so. Mandela was a revolutionary and a leader who led his movement peacefully from apartheid to Multi-Party Democracy in South Africa. He was jailed for his beliefs and his actions as a leader in the African National Congress. There is nothing in the way of Mandela, that is similar to Paul Kagame.

I don’t know what went through the mind of Mr. Jideonwo, but me and him is not on the same wavelength. For one simple reason, Paul Kagame is a villain and a vicious general in sheep’s cloths. He comes in peace and speaks with flattering words, but the actions in the dark is vindictive and fatal. That is not similar to what Mandela did in any fashion.

Kagame has raised civil war within Rwanda, he has killed opponents and detained opposition leaders indefinitely. There are nothing he will not do to stay in power. He is even uses proxy war in Democratic Republic of Congo. Where he has since 1994 used militias to control mineral and resources in the Kivu provinces for lucrative exports. This he has done, while he also been part of getting rid of two Presidents for securing a puppet in Kinshasa.

Therefore, Kagame is more of a War-Lord, than of someone of the stature of Mandela. Kagame is the ones that trigger elections and making sure to get as close as possible to a 100 %. Mandela trusted the people and didn’t install fear, didn’t use the military or the state to force his following. They followed Mandela because they believed in his cause and the need for the rainbow nation.

However, Kagame would use intimidation and fear, he will consolidate all power within his reach and just use posh words to look good, but behind close doors orders others to stop. That is why I don’t ever see Kagame in the same vein as Mandela. Is someone I aspire to learn from and understand his mindset. But with Kagame, I don’t even want to touch the evil behind his CV. Kagame might have over time delivered good numbers and also a good public persona. Nevertheless, his activity, his attitude and what he really has done is to take all power.

Kagame has used the weapon to gain power, Mandela used the force of good to gain the same power. He didn’t overstay, he didn’t force himself on people, he made a difference and that will be everlasting. What Kagame will be remembered for all the ghosts he created, the people who has lost their lives because of his orders and also the families who has been separated because of his reign. That is not what Mandela ever did.

That is why it is insulting to compare him to Kagame. Kagame is genius manipulator, but a merciless War-Lord behind closed doors. He might talk with beautiful TED-Talks and have marvelous PR Stunts out of this world, but don’t be fooled. Kagame has ruled with an iron fist and with bullets. Not with peace and mercy, he did not speak of dialogue or even inch of pragmatic sense for the betterment of the Republic. No, his acts has of violence and intimidation. That is a far-cry from what Mandela ever did and that why its an insult to compare Mandela to Kagame.

I hope that Mail & Guardian, that it wise-up, because this sort of piece make your mind boggle. I thought the guys of Charles Onyango-Obbo (COO) was there keep things on tap. He has a sound mind, how could he let this one pass him by? Maybe, they are in summer vacation mode? Peace.

Rwanda: FDU-Inkingi Condems Enforced Disappearences and Man hunt for Suspected Non-Conformist (19.07.2018)