Opinion: Why are people “hailing” and “defending” Rusesabagina?

Well, in several of international and western publications, there been pieces of defence and of open disregard of this man’s action. Yes, Rusesabagina have held questionable company with motives to topple a government with the use of proxy arms. That is just a mere fact.

Paul Rusesabagina is a warlord in his own self and could be deemed a “terrorist” for his activities. That he has sponsored and connected various of armed militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo to attack Kigali and on Rwandan soil. This being through the FNL or MRCD. All of this with an effort to undermine and trying to get rid of President Paul Kagame.

Just because Kagame is supporting militias, using vile force against opponents and detains critics on the regular. Doesn’t equate to the righteousness of others to take arms and wanting to do a coup d’etat. I understand people want to get rid of their tyrant, their President for Life, but a peaceful transition should be the goal through civil disobedience and systemic destruction of society. In such a manner, which the revolution cannot be stopped and the forces against the man cannot be contained.

Alas, a military enterprise, a use of militia to do so. Is just a way of answering blood with more blood. There will just be another bloodshed before the dust is settled. The MRCD will only create new enemies and create another vacuum of force, as they cannot add to democratic values. Since, they would have taken over with guns and be similar to the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) which is at the helm today. Maybe, not with the same genocide and bloody war, but still they would have caused another civil war to get their way. That is all hypothetical, but still the end-game of gentlemen like Rusesabagina.

Rusesabagina with that knowledge shouldn’t be defended. They are calling him a humanitarian and is praising his role in “Hotel Rwanda”. Just because made a movie about you. That doesn’t save you from your sins. Yes, you did a good deed in the past, but in the present and lately, you have been associated and working with a violent aim.

Rusesabagina knows this and for some reason, some publications are eating out of his hand. Yes, Kagame is violent tyrant. He kills his critics, detains them and silence them. There is no denying in that and that his state is a vile attempt to use pressers to be called the “Switzerland of Africa”. The hegemony and peaceful plateau over the Great Lakes and the 1000 hills. Alas, we know that is lie.

Still, with that in mind. That doesn’t justify men like Rusesabagina. He is using the same tools, which Kagame employs in proxy and at home. When they are both hiring guns and doing the bidding of merchants of death. Then there is no peaceful return, there is no salvation and no way you can run away from the fact.

Rusesabagina is maybe able to influence the naive and the ones who is fans of Don Cheadle. His maybe even able to get a few lobbyist running a few miles for him. However, those stories doesn’t justify the means, which he was intending and using. The aggression and violence would only hurt civilians. One evil being answered with more evil will only cause more heartache and loss of innocent lives.

People shouldn’t hail or try to save the image of Rusesabagina. He has done this all by his own self. There is no need to salvage and spin the hurt. The damage is already done. The rest is just deflections. We need to be better than this and be able to hold two thoughts in our heads at the same time. Just because the regime is brutal, doesn’t mean we should accept brutality for its enemies as well. Because, how can we see the difference between who is good and who is bad? Peace.

Rwanda: FDU-Inkingi – The Kidnapping of Mr. Paul Rusesabagina by the Rwandan Governmen is an Act of State Terrorism taht falls within the Scope of International Criminality (01.09.2020)

Rwanda: Rusesabagina aimed at the throne, but he missed…

Today Paul Rusesabagina, the man known from “Hotel Rwanda”. The leader of PDR-Ihumure who together with several of other groups went into form the Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Democratique (M.R.C.D) or Rwandan Movement For Democratic Change in March 2018.

Two years later his arrested, charged with terrorism and is paraded in Kigali. A man who has formed a political group and been part of the foundation to form a militia, a rebel group and a militant outfit with the sole basis of toppling Rwandan Patriotic Front and President Paul Kagame.

That has been known, because the founding documents was quickly leaked. The spoils of the war and the methods of warfare was also sending waves. The machinery behind the organization and the means. Came all out. All the members and the various groups who became the collective effort, named M.R.C.D.

Rusesabagina was stationed in Brussels, Belgium. Safely away from Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Where the M.R.C.D and the powers remain. They have assaulted and attacked the Republic. Even at one point claimed they held a piece of it too. Alas, the militia must have gotten weaker. As this is the second big-fish the state has arrested.

Rusesabagina clearly underestimated the intelligence gatherings and the state apparatus. If not, he thought because of stature and known persona. That he could get away with this. Yes, I will not defend Kagame’s record nor his history. He has enough blood on his hands and cause enough havoc, pain and suffering over the years in power.

However, when you aim at a tyrant, you best not miss. You better keep you friends close and your enemies closer. Think five steps ahead and not two steps behind. Rusesabagina clearly didn’t get the memo.

Yes, his support of the militia and being part of it has caused bloodshed. It has caused harm and devastation. That was the sole cause of the operation anyway. It was not like they planned to hold a peaceful transition or participate in elections. No, these gentlemen wanted a coup and putsch. They wanted to use arms to get rid of the RPF and Kagame.

That is why he can use the state and the legitimacy as rule of law to arrest, detain and charge him of terrorism. They could even use “treason” and “treachery”. All of it would fit this sort of enterprise. Alas, the rebellion and the acts of violence is now haunting him.

This is weakening the M.R.C.D as they have lost Callixte Nsabimana aka Sankara, the spokesperson of the militia already. Now, they have lost a political operative and possible face of it. That means most of the armed brigade and the ones from FNL/FDLR and CNRD might be left to run it.

We can only speculate. However, for Kagame, this is a victory. He got one of the men aiming for his head. Kagame can knowingly celebrate, that yet another one is out of the game. He got him and he can ensure his demise. Kagame has won again.

Rusesabagina made his bed and he got to sleep in it. You cannot go after someone as cunning as Kagame and think he will do it softly. Especially, when you do it with arms. He even kills musicians mercilessly in custody. What do you think he would do with militants? Let them sing hymns?

No, he will let them suffer and let them repent in the after-life. Peace.

Burundi: Communique du Gouvernement de la Republique du Burundi sur la Situation des Refugies Burundais dans le Camp de Mahama au Rwanda (08.08.2020)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XXVIII: Office of the President – Border Incursions by Rwandan Security Forces on Ugandan Territory (04.08.2020)

Opinion: The RNC is weakened as a fraction starts the RAC

This isn’t the first time a sponsored militia goes separate ways. The Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) have created many different outfits and the biggest currently of those is the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD).

In July this year the Rwanda National Congress is split into two parts. This being the RNC run by Kayumba Nyamwasa, who has support from Kampala. While in Canada, the diaspora of RNC have launched the Rwanda Alliance for Change (RAC) on the 6^th July 2020. The signatories to the manifesto, which is also online is Bellamin Bakamira, Tabitha Gwiza, Achille Kamana, Anicet Karege, Saleh Musoni Karuranga, Pacifique Mukobwajana, Dr. Etienne Ndagijimana, Jean Paul Turayishimye and Benoit Umuhoza.

Clearly Nyamwasa is losing his support in Canada and that is weakening the RNC. The RNC have been run by him and with his orders. That has over time caused friction and therefore, the new one is created. We can wonder, if the diaspora based RAC will try to convene a meeting in Kisoro or elsewhere in Uganda too. As the RNC have been recruiting in Uganda.

The MRCD is already weakened, as they caused issues for Kigali last year. However, we can wonder how the operations are going. As they have been known for attacks from Burundi. While the RNC have only lost people after high ranking officials held talks in Uganda last year.

This has all created diplomatic entanglements between Kigali and Kampala. As the proxy wars are hitting home. The Kigali based diplomats wants Kampala to stop supporting efforts to undermine their reign. While Kampala doesn’t listen to it. They are continuing it.

We can wonder, other then t he main objective to topple the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF). Like all of these outfits are claiming is their will. While they cannot work together for too long.

Now that its another militia with goal and objectives in the sphere. That for some reason will be around. We can wonder how big it is and where it will recruit. Even the manpower and their planned operation. Other than going after the RPF and President Kagame.

The only looser here is Nyamwasa and his allies. They are loosing support and getting another competition. While Kigali will get it easier, as there are smaller fractions and will have less suction. It will also be easier for intelligence operations get a whiff of what is going on.

However, we cannot know until more information is out. Clearly, there are shady works being done behind closed doors. Nevertheless, 2020 continues to deliver and we can wonder what costs the RAC will have. Peace.

Rwanda: FDU-Inkingi – Communique de Presse – Les FDU-Inkingi denoncent une eneme tentative de desinformation et de calomnie a leur encontre par le regime du Front Patriotique Rwandais (21.07.2020)

Rwanda: Nsabimana’s testimony doesn’t add up

There are always something shady going on. These sort of affairs that I dwell into here is easily a barrel filled with conspiracies. This being the affairs of the MRCD-UBUMWE, a rebellion out of former rebel groups going together to defeat the Presidency of Kagame and his Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF). Clearly, when they have been able to take one of the faces of this rebellion. They will mock him, torture him and certainly do what they can to hurt his cause.

The Rwandan Authorities is doing the natural thing charging Major Callixte Nsabimana aka Sankara. That they are taking him to court and apprehending him, only makes sense. However, that they are peddling news about his testimony from Court. Which is refuted both by his allies within the militia forged in 2017 with armed rebels from FNL, FDLR, RRM and CNRD.

All of this makes everything so questionable. Yes, I understand that the authorities wants to undermine the efforts of the MRCD, as they want to overthrow Kagame in Kigali. However, the method of releasing these sorts of allegations are counterproductive. Especially, when it only creates diplomatic spats and statements. Which isn’t serving Zambia or Rwanda. It is only making Kigali looking foolish in the eyes of Lusaka.

Just take a look!

The Report from the Court:

“The alleged crimes were committed when Nsabimana was the Spokesperson of the ‘National Liberation Forces (FLN)’, an armed terrorist organisation founded by the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), a political organisation founded by Paul Rusesabagina, among other members” (…) “When the trial reopened, Nsabimana, who was a self-proclaimed ‘Major’ in FLN accused Zambian President Edgar Lungu of allowing them space to operate in his country to overthrow the Rwandan government” (Edmund Kagire – ‘FLN’s Nsabimana Returns to Court, Alleges Zambian Support’ 13.07.2020, KT Press Rwanda).

MRCD Condemns the lies reported from the trial of Sankara:

“The Government of Rwanda exerts all pressure in the form of physical and psychological torture against Major SANKARA to force him to confess at all costs the charges, to incriminate all those who wish to testify in favor of the accused. and to strive to sully the reputation of his political opponents whom he qualifies as terrorists in the pejorative sense! The MRCD – UBUMWE declares itself stunned by this relentlessness of the Rwandan courts which are also working to involve foreign friendly countries in this trial, in particular Zambia and its Head of State Edgar Lungu. The MRCD –UBUMWE takes this opportunity to protest loud and clear against these lies. There is no truth to these allegations at all” (MRCD – ‘CONDAMNATION DES MENSONGES DANS LE PROCÈS du Major Callixte NSABIMANA SANKARA’ 16.07.2020).

Zambia – Testimony not credible:

“But Hon. Malanji said he was informed by President Kagame that the allegations are not credible as prior to his arrest, Nsabimana had travelled to five countries that do NOT include Zambia. Hon. Malanji said government will continue to investigate why Nsabimana chose to falsely mention President Edgar Lungu in his court testimony” (Mwebantu – ‘Zambia-Rwanda bilateral ties are sound, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Malanji says’ 17.07.2020).

The reality here is clear. Nsabimana could tell this alleged co-conspirator story for various of reasons. That is to deflect from his own wrong-doings and to hope for a lesser sentence. However, that seems to backfire. When his own outfit, his own militia that he was participating in and defended refutes his testimony. Also, that the Zambian Authorities is responding in disregard to it.

That Lusaka is saying they are not part of this is not shocking. That is expected, no healthy government wants to support and help militias to overthrow regimes in other nations. Unless, they are hoping for a pay-off for the support with time. There seems to very few reasons for Zambia to want to get rid of Kagame. Unless, it would be a ego thing for Lungu. Which seems far-fetched, as Lungu has enough trouble at home to ever consider to cause issues elsewhere.

Another point I will make is that its just weird that this alleged connection is released and spread to the media from the Courts. That the testimony of Nsabimana is all across the continent and the State House of Zambia and Foreign Affairs are addressing it. While, the Rwandan counterparts are not speaking out on it. Like they are hurt that some alleged co-conspirators are willing to undermine Kigali. Which is just by all accounts, made up story and fiction. Seemingly to fit a narrative for the rebel and his cause.

That is why this doesn’t add up. Secondly, the attacks the MRCD have done reportedly on Rwandan soil have come from Burundi, where they crossed the Kibra Forrest in Cibitoka province into Nyungewe Forrest in Ruhengeri district. That is not some lay away base in Zambia, but more influxed and prepared from Burundi.

That’s why I have hard time believing this and yes, there are underlying scepticism from the get-go. Neither, the rebel, the militia major or the ones spreading the news is credible. What is making it even worse. Is that two separate parties, one being the supposed co-conspirator is denying it and the current leadership of militia, which the man who testifies comes from. That is all making it easy to wonder what’s the motives for spreading it in the first place, instead of believing in the allegations. There are enough red-flags for me to even digest it as facts. Peace.

Zambia: Let Diplomacy deal with Rwanda Issue (16.07.2020)

Zambia: Allegations Against President Lungu False (14.07.2020)