Rwanda: The men who aim at Kagame will fall, example Kizito Mihigo

“I sing peace and forgiveness, I launch a permanent call for reconciliation”Kizito Mihigo

Again, this story has been played out before, this is not new and neither is it spectacular. A man who was detained three days ago, suddenly takes suicide in Prison is the official statement from Rwanda National Police. A man who was in isolation and in solitary confinement. After being charged with trying to illegal cross the borders into Burundi.

A man who has targeted the authorities, who has addressed the ills of the state of affairs. Been charged ten-years for treason in 2014 and Presidential Pardoned in 2018. Suddenly out of nowhere takes his own life in early 2020. That seems a bit too far-fetched that he would do that now. After all his been through.

 “This Monday morning, Kizito was found dead in police cell at Remera Station. He was recently arrested while attempting to bribe his way out of the country illegally” (Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, 17.02.2020).

The one I am describing is the government critic and gospel singer Kizito Mihigo. We know how far the state goes in monitoring the lives of their dissidents as this 2017 report states:

“During the treason trial of singer Kizito Mihigo and journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga in April 2014, prosecutors allegedly adduced intercepted phone and skype messages from the accused expressing their dissatisfaction with the government and conspiring to overthrow it” (CIPESA – ‘Shadow Report on the State of Freedom of Expression Online in Rwanda’ 31.10.2017).

They are directly wire-tapping and using this material in courts to detain him. They were targeting the man an collecting evidence on him. That is what they state did. That is why the next article is interesting in the manner of things.

An article named “Nakandi: INVESTIGATION: BBC Journalist Nshimiyimana Genocide Files Leak” released on the 29th April 2014 says this: “According to Police records, on March 11, opposition Rwanda National Congress leader Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara told Mihigo of a plan to secure the latter’s stay in London after releasing a series of songs backing the overthrow of Kagame’s government. The RNC official also showed Mihigo the message he had received from journalist Nshimiyimana. It read: “Reka nkwereke msg anyohereje. “Umubaze azaze anyure kuri BBC TV and radio. Bamukorera PR atigeze abona mbere (Let me show you the message he has sent. “Ask him to come and be on BBC TV and Radio. They will give him the kind of PR he has never seen.” Asked whether he would be available for the TV interview on April 7, Mihigo answered: “With pleasure.” Rwandan authorities did not wait for Mihigo to appear on BBC. He was arrested and incarcerated” (Chimp Investigations Team on Africaspeaks.com).

We can see that his songs was so critical of the government, that they landed him in trouble. Were his connection was also added the pressure, as Sankara last year was arrested and detained for his association with rebels who fought to end the Presidency of Kagame.

However, the authorities could manufacture that, as he was a critic, but also someone who wanted positive change. Nevertheless, he never got to see that and his final demise was in the chambers of the authorities. On their watch, they let him die and most likely they did something more, than what they are saying. Since, someone who had already been charged with treason years earlier. Would be able to face more jail-time for trying cross the borders days earlier. He had the strength to be behind bars for fours years. He could muster up strength for a few more days now. That is why the suicide doesn’t add up.

I will end with some lyrics from ‘the Meaning of Death’ from 2014 :

“Death is the worst thing that can happen, yet something that creates a good road that leads to something better than anything else’” (…)

“There is no good death, whether genocide, the civil war, being killed in revenge attacks, or dying from illness’” (…)

“Those relatives, wherever they are seated, they pray for us” (…)

“Though the genocide orphaned me, let it not make me lose empathy for others. Their lives, too, were brutally taken but not qualified as genocide. Those brothers and sisters, they too are human beings. I pray for them. I comfort them. I remember them” (.Kizito Mihigo, 2014).

He wrote about death, now he has met the same master, as his fatality happen under the guard of the state in their chambers. That’s why they write the story and tell his demise was set a certain way. Even if that seems unreasonable and intolerable. As these sort of affairs only happens to critics and the likes who offends the President.

Kizito Mihigo only dared to question the authorities through lyrics and songs. Because of that, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) deemed that fit to take his life. So, don’t challenge Kagame, he will hunt you down and ensure you stop breathing. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XXIII: Communique (14.02.2020)

Uganda-Rwanda XXII: Final Communique – The Quadripartite Summit between the Heads of State and Government of the Republics of Angola, Uganda, Ruanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (02.02.2020)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XXI: Kagame’s memorable words

President Paul Kagame had a speech yesterday with the Diplomatic Corps in Kigali, Rwanda. This is the most direct his been in a while in concern of the border dispute with Uganda. That has lasted all through 2019 and continues to linger in 2020. The big-men are fighting shadow games and trading blame. While the peasants are hurt in the midst of the battling between. That part never dies in these sort of diplomatic disputes.

What was striking was a few of his remarks. I will not cover the whole speech, but give a few interesting tide-bits of it. Which is deserving a little look into and some social commentary. Because, inside the Republic everyone will eat his every word and to many are paid to do his praises abroad. So, something gotta give, in this case, me.

Here we go:

This is what has happened between Rwanda and Uganda in the recent days. We have had hundreds of Rwandans arrested in Uganda. And we have raised this matter with Ugandan authorities. We have families of hundreds of families coming and appealing to us asking why don’t you ask Uganda to release our people. And that matter has been raised with Uganda repeatedly, several times, by different layers of our administration. I myself travelled there” (Kagame, 29.01.2020).

As that is happening, and I am calling it good progress — forget about the other stories of how they have been mistreated — the other side says, you see we have shown a good gesture. Now you must also do something. We say, what? Something that tells Rwandans to start traveling to Uganda. And I asked one of the officials who came to see me and told me that: I can easily say that, make a statement that you released nine people, everything is okay, you can start going to Uganda. I told this official, suppose I start doing that, and the next day and another day more Rwandans are arrested and those still in custody are not released. Are you suggesting I would go tell these Rwandans, you know what, I was deceived. Again stop going there” (Kagame, 29.01.2020).

What I am being asked to do is say Rwandans can start comfortably going to Uganda. That’s what I am being asked. And I am holding on to that because I am not yet comfortable that I can tell Rwandans to start doing that. That they won’t be arrested and relatives will then come tell me you put our relatives and friends into trouble” (Kagame, 29.01.2020).

These three paragraphs are the most striking in the whole speech in concern with the spat and dispute between Rwanda and Uganda. As the Rwandan President have never been so clear during the whole process. His now totally assaulting the way the Ugandan counterparts are treating the Rwandan citizens on its soil. The President is directly saying the Ugandan authorities are illegally arresting, detaining and selecting Rwandans on the border.

There are evidence of a certain amount of Rwandan captives and arrested people, both in the hands of ESO (External Security Organization), ISO (Internal Security Organization) CMI (Chief of Military Intelligence) and other agencies, both in safe-houses and gazetted facilities. Some have been through the legal system, some are conspiring terrorist and spies, which have been detained by CMI and ESO for those reasons. These cases are usually following other procedures, which should be known to the former Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) in Uganda and now President of Rwanda. So, if someone knows this game and knows his former ally Museveni. Kagame knows, but instead speak in small riddles.

Kagame knows and has an idea, but trying to act aloof and act innocent in all of this. Like his border patrol and others haven’t done anything of sort. That the Rwandan counterparts haven’t attacked nor shown aggression towards the Ugandan. Which by all counts is hogwash. They have both acted in ill fate, but the Rwandan President trying to clean his dirty hands too. It might work on his propaganda stations, but not with me.

Kagame, you better start talking to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Museveni better start talking to you. So, you to can settle your grievances and hurt, maybe even kiss and make-up. Then after that tell each other war stories, which would a moment of nostalgia between the too gentlemen. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XX: Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Statement (08.01.2020)

Opinion: Commit to the bid, if your stepping down…

An old map from Reliefweb

I have a hard time to celebrate that certain men plans to step down from their Presidency. I know, I should be, but I don’t want to be fooled. During the last end of the decade and year of 2019. The Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi pledged to step down. Said it on various occasions. However, I am not yet buying it.

That the President of Burundi. The man who was a rebel, who has made himself a supreme ruler and been at the helm since 2005. Plus the President haven’t followed the Arusha Accords, he have amended the Constitution to fit his own agenda and he has already held a questionable term, which was validated by his own appointed Constitutional Court. Awaiting a new term this year, as the up-coming elections of 2020 is coming up.

With all that in mind, I have a hard time believing Pierre Nkurunziza of CNDD-FDD and the violent government of his. Will suddenly stop acting, stop ceasing operations and be in the wind. I don’t believe he will be relaxing at a mansion or palace in Gitega. No, it’s not happening, unless he drops an resignation letter, a letter of intent and some sort of decree, proving that the President will not be there after the 2020 elections.

It is not like Nkurunziza understands or has the ability to listen to scrutiny. The ones who stands in his way stops. The ones who pokes fun on painting crayons on his pictures get arrested. Therefore, his not the sort of guy to get tainted or get kind hearted. So, he will struggle as a civilian, who would be questioned for the abductions, killings and the reason why so many opposition members are in exile.

The second one, who I doubt will step down from the throne is Rwandan President Paul Kagame. His been in power forever. First in Ugandan government, before he together with other Rwandan diaspora militia did a coup d’etat and part-take in genocide of 1994. Since then he was the Vice-President and Minister of Defence between 1994-2000. Since 2000 his been the President and by law he can be so until 2034. Therefore, I have little faith of him stepping down.

Well, someone whose elected with 98% in the election of 2017 would most likely not step down. Not someone who has all power consolidated. A man who has the army and the security operations working as clock-work around his orders. Not believing someone who support militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because, of his vicious affairs, I doubt he will jeopardize his place.

This is the sort of man that has ban political satire, because of frail sense of power. So, its not like Kagame has thick skin and can manage critics. That is why his real opposition is either behind bars or in exile.

These sort of gentlemen … isn’t the sort who listen or accept to be humiliated, laughed at or even spoken ill off. They would not like to have tainted legacy, even though that is true. Because, they want to be giants, big-men and remembered like deities. They want to be modern saints, canonized in the Vatican and be living legends.

However, even if they do step-down from being Heads of State. Their legacy will be the bloodshed, the impunity within their republics and their oppressive behaviour. It will not be fantastic speeches, bended knees and other policies.

So now, if they are stepping down. Prove it, show some real backing behind it. Letter of intent. Resignation letter or even groom a successor. Do something, your words have no value, when you have amended the laws to give you ability to stay longer in power. Peace.

Rwanda: FDU-Inkingi – Poor neighborhoods in Rwandan Capital Kigali raised to the ground as part of a cleaning up exercise for Commonwealth Summit (18.12.2019)

Rwanda: Congres Extra-Ordinaire des FDU-INKINGI tenu a Bruxelles Decembre 2019 (14.12.2019)

 

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XIX: The 2nd Ad-Hoc Meeting – A double whammy!

Today, was the rescheduled 2nd Ad-Hoc Meeting, which was supposed to happen in October, but since then been postponed. This has all happen since the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the 21st August 2019 and the first meeting was in the middle September in Kigali. Today, it was in Uganda, as the parties met together with the other stakeholders too.

Well, the parties couldn’t resolve anything. They couldn’t even drop a joint communique from the 2nd Ad-Hoc Meeting. The MoU isn’t a legally binding document, neither was the first joint communique from September. However, the breakdown today is surely not the signs in the stars that the public needs.

The Rwandan and Ugandan parties are not able to settle grievances, they are not able to negotiate or even talk. Not even for the PR perspective. They were together and had the opportunity to settle things, instead they are back-stepping and mudding the waters more.

The various dignitaries today cannot proud of their work, neither for themselves or for the East African Community in general. This is putting a hold on a needed relations, as they are neighbours and will be connected whether they like it or not. If it is the ego of the head of states. If it is the grudges from the past.

This is not only a border dispute, the way both republic’s a treating their citizens. It is also about the possible shadow-war done in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The spoils of militias inside there, which the parties doesn’t want to put on the table. Neither also take responsibility for. Because, that means knowingly taking responsibility for in the insecurity, they both are promising to help, all of the time.

These two parties needs to settle it and the citizens are paying the price, the traders and border regions are hurt by this. The Uganda-Rwanda tensions needs to be resolved, as there been a long stalemate and need to figure the next few steps. The stakeholders needs to put forward steps and timelines. If not this will drag-on into 2021 or even escalate further by possible violence at a border point. Which has already occurred, but if it happens again. It might be more than just letters of warning between the parties. But actual further actions made, which none of us wants to see. Peace.

Opinion: The troubling shadow-game within the Great Lakes Region

There is an issue that returns and returns, something that never leaves. The bullets and the victims doesn’t stop. The armies and militias are continuing. They have sponsors and they have fields of tax to continue their looting of either South Kivu Province or the North Kivu Province. This has been going-on, but continues to this day.

Therefore, these days things are getting worse. The realities on the ground is hard figure and the players are acting aloof. Even as they are all playing victims of insurgency, as long as they are sponsoring insurgencies in proxy within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Ugandans are known for supporting the M.R.C.D., the former FDLR and RNC combined group whose targeting the counterpart Rwanda. MRCD has promised to fight to overthrow Paul Kagame.

While the Rwandan Patriotic Army or Rwandan Defence Force is now in the DRC to fight the militias together with MONUSCO and FARDC. They are still following genocidaires and others there. Even the groups supported by the powers in Kampala. This being CMI and others who is giving training, ammunition and so-on.

While the Rwandan government isn’t innocent as they are supporting the Red-Tabara who is targeting Burundi and hunts for the head of Pierre Nkurunziza. Therefore, the Burundian is stressed by this.

The Burundi supported militia Mai-Mai has in the end also attacked Rwanda too. That is why all of these are using other militias, which is organized within the provinces of Kivu. While having bases there and being a proxy to attack the ones whose enemies of the head of state, who happens to control the various of Republics.

Taht is why this is worrying, as the intelligence and the means are there. That the Ugandan (Museveni) are having meetings and connections to the militias who works to topple Kagame. While Kagame are supporting another militia to topple Nkurunziza. As well, as Nkurunziza is supporting another militia to topple Kagame. Surely this East African Community (EAC) isn’t that friendly, neither is their intentions.

That they are all using various of groups, name-salads. Supported through the soft-borders of the DRC. To ensure their looting and enriching the supporters. While they are trying to find a way to ensure the end-game is secured. That their enemy and their neighbour is another leader, who they can have as a puppet.

What is worse too is that these groups are extending the harm, the deaths and the massacres in the Kivu’s. They are creating this and the masters across the borders are doing it for greed and for high of power. That they can use proxy warfare to extend their will. This is what they are doing with the various of groups. Just like the Ugandan-Rwandan used to do with the M23 and others in the past. Now, they are targeting each other and using militias for their own benefit. While Burundi has thrown their coins into the mix too, hoping for positive returns.

That should worry the FARDC, MONUSCO and the elite of Kinshasa. As their territory is used as battlefield and also as a training ground for insurgency. That will not create sustainable peace. Since, this will not silence the guns, but instead it will import the guns. That is the mere reality and reason why the silent war of Kivu’s continues. Peace.