Rwanda: Memorandum to the United Nations – “A Contribution to the UN Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region” – A call for Highly Inclusive Inter Rwandan Dialogue as “A Political Conflict Avoidance Device” for Peace in the Great Lakes Region (06.05.2022)

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Press Statement (04.01.2022)

A brief look into Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho

“I don’t think the US can risk engaging us in an offensive. The most they can do is just to impose sanctions and that is all” – Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘CMI boss Kandiho brags about detaining US citizen’ 02.05.2021, Ekyooto.co.uk).

The Chief Commander of Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) Abel Kandiho is now under fire, as his one man who is sanctioned by the United States Treasury. Maj. Gen. Kandiho was appointed to this position on January 2017. He has been ruthless as the leader of CMI and been unforgiving to anyone in his path.

Kandiho have followed orders, kidnapped and arrested people without any hesitation. While taking in Rwandese refugees and others too. He has even bragged about detaining a U.S. citizen during this calendar year. That’s the sort of fella he is.

As a leader of CMI his said to be uneducated and haven’t even finished P-7. The CMI is known for kidnappings, arrests, torture and murder of Ugandan citizens as well. The CMI isn’t a friendly security organization or a fair enterprise.

We also know that Kandiho have coordinated and worked with the RNC in Rwanda. He has supported and aided the guerrilla outfit, which works to overthrow the leadership of Kigali. The CMI have also supporter FDLR during his tenure. So, this man has no issues supporting militias and rebels who intends to overthrow a foreign power. That is all done on behalf of the State House and their intended missions.

Lt Isaac Rutagatina Sankara have written this about him: “Our P.7 graduate can’t even measure up to any responsibility. This has been clearly manifested in his methods of work and management style, that’s why he has even shied away from facing any committee in Parliament because he can’t even understand budgets and policies and this is an area where CMI should be having a big impact. On May 25th 2011 when US president Barrack Obama gave a keynote address to both houses of British Parliament gathered at Westminster Hall in his opening remarks he said that and I quote “Am told the last three speakers have been the Pope, Her Majesty the Queen and Nelson Mandela which is either a very bar or the beginning of the joke” Your Excellency the appointment of Maj. General Kandiho as the chief of military intelligence was a big blander and one of the biggest jokes in the intelligence circles” (Lt. Isaac Tutagatina Sankara – ‘#CMI_Files: The appointment of Maj Gen Abel Kandiho as the Chief of CMI and the implications of the appointment on both regional and nationa#cmi_files’ 19.09.2020, CMIFILES.Wordpress.com).

While on the other hand, there been reports, which was never verified that Rwandan government after the appointed of Kandiho as the CMI chief. They intended to send commandos to Kampala and assassinate him. He has worked in the early 2000s in Kigali, but he wasn’t a favoured character and maybe he earned his resentment for the Rwandese, because of his time there. However, that is mere speculations.

There also unverified information that the Maj. Gen. have been imprisoned twice. Some calling him a uneducated crook and a henchmen, who worked for gangsters in Kampala and pimps who sold prostitutes. However, that cannot be verified either. Nevertheless, if even a little of this is true. Than it says a lot about his character and how unfit he is for office. Neither educated and a thug who is just a brute without any concern for anyone else. Who just follows orders and directs his merciless attacks on civilians and dissidents of the state.

““According to analysts, this is another reason Rwandans are never tried in court. The charges against them will be bogus, and there will be no evidence to charge them in court. They will just torture them in CMI dungeons. Rwamucyo and Rutayisire would be transferred to CMI headquarters after some weeks in Mbarara, and by then the accusation had changed from “involvement in a robbery plot” to “illegal possession of weapons”. The same happened to Moses Ishimwe Rutare, a Rwandan businessman in Kampala who in December 2018 happened to step out of a church service to answer his phone. Unknowingly, he ambled next to the residence of Abel Kandiho where CMI men asked him to show his identity. When it was discovered he was a Rwandan they whisked him off to their torture chambers in Mbuya, accusing him of “espionage”” (Grace Kamugisha – ‘The strange case of arrests of ADEPR members in Uganda ‘ 05.08.2019, The New Times Rwanda).

In 2020, the Gahigi Safari wrote this story: “The movie was set in motion after Nyamwasa (who was scared that Rutabana was about to challenge him for RNC leadership) told his friend Kandiho in CMI to abduct Rutabana the next time he came to Uganda. Kandiho did. “Kandiho and Nyamwasa thought it would be just very easy to ‘disappear’ Rutabana – the way they normally kill people and no one asks,” a knowledgeable source said. “But with Rutabana they have run into a big problem. The wife and relatives have not stopped asking. The Western embassies (Rutabana has French nationality and Belgian residence), have not stopped asking. An American organisation has been investigating, and has released a damning report on both CMI and RNC’s Nyamwasa!”  So now, CMI is deploying their tools of misinformation, to try to fool people. It will not work!” (Gahigi Safari – ‘Seruga lies. Kandiho, Nyamwasa better produce Rutabana’ 04.07.2020).

So, it is easy to find stories and tales of grievances against Maj. Gen. Kandiho. It is too easy actually and proves the reasons for the sanctions against him. I am sure there plenty of stories, which I could gloss over in a hot minute.

Just as this is just two court case shows the pattern of the CMI:

1^st: “The grounds of this application are well laid out in the affidavit of Kenneth Munungu an Advocate but briefly they are that the applicant was arrested from Kampala in the morning on the 8th September, 2019 by plain clothed men who identified themselves as security operatives from CMI and ISO. Upon arrest, the applicant was taken to Mbuya Chieftaincy of Military Intelligent (CMI) headquarters and then transferred to the Internal Security Organization and back to CMI and thereafter his whereabouts became unknown. The applicant’s family members wrote letters to the French Embassy and to the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Uganda on the 28th October 2019, but to no avail. The applicant has spent 5 months in illegal detention, which unconscionably exceeds the constitutional limit of 48 hours and contravenes Article 23(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. The applicant has not been tried in any court of law and that it is in the interest of justice and fairness that the applicant be unconditionally released from detention since the government has failed to charge him before the courts of law” (Rutabana v Director General, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence & 5 Ors (Miscellaneous Cause 18 of 2020) [2020] UGHCCD 132 (05 March 2020), 05.03.2020).

2^nd: “That on September 15 2018, the Applicant was arrested from his work place by intelligence officers (CMI) and detained at a safe house in Mbuya for more than a month, where he was kept and denied access to his family. That he was later informed that he would only be released once they got the information which they wanted from him. Instead the applicant was produced before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court where he was charged with the offences of belonging to a terrorist organization c/s 11 (1) (a) and 11 (3) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002; and Aiding and abetting or financing or harbouring acts of terrorism c/s 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002. That he was committed for trial on the 31st May 2019. That the Applicant has patiently waited for the trial of his case to start since then in vain, and owing to the busy schedule of the court, he is not certain when his trial will commence. That all the offences charged against the applicant are bailable by this honorable court. That the applicant is presumed innocent until proved guilty and his continued detention is a violation of the same right. That the applicant has a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of this honorable court and shall not abscond when granted bail” (Ahamad Ssebuwufu v Uganda (HCT-OO-ICD-CM 21 of 2019) [2020] UGHICD 1 (08 January 2020); 08.01.2020).

So, the CMI Chief doesn’t have a clean record, but a big one. If the CMI had the systemic reports of all the hidden reports about the arrests, kidnappings and how they detain people. Alas, also how the torture and killing of civilians as well. This would show what sort of horrific character the CMI chief is. His record will be bloodstained for life. He does this as a service to the Republic and the ones who has given his this career.

Maj. Gen. Kahindo follows orders and command. He is vicious and bloodthirsty. We will know more about him with time. This is just what I could access today. However, there should be reports written about his mischief. The U.S. sanctions on him only proves what he has done and what his willing to do. Peace.

RDC: FDLR – Declaration de Soutien de Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda – Pour les Mesures Entreprises par le Gouvernement du Burundi de Chasser les Envahisseurs Hamities dans le Pays (12.10.2020)

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.

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.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XIV: RNC Diane Rutabana letter to Uganda Security Agencies (13.10.2019)

Rwanda: L’opposante Victorie Ingabire, presidente des FDU interrogee par le bureau d’investigation (08.10.2019)

FDU-Ikingi – Rwanda: Nous denoncons les assassinats qui ont eu lieu a Kingi et Burera, dans la Province du Nord (05.10.2019)

Opinion: Was it the FDLR who attacked Rwanda this Friday?

This Friday, there was reports of killings, of insurgency in the Musanze district in the border district to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It isn’t new that militias and rebels are crossing borders from Rwanda into the DRC or returns back. What is striking is the level of deaths and the favourable reporting from the authorities on the Rwandan side.

This is happening the same week, as the Rwandan authorities has displayed 25 Rwandan National Congress members in the Courts. The RNC, FDLR and MRCD have been working together of late and this weekends raid to be in response to this. However, that is just speculation. But wouldn’t be shocking that the RNC/FDLR/MRCD would react in this way after the losses of 25 members taken from them by the help of allies within the DRC.

Just take a look!

“19 Assailants responsible for killing civilians in Musanze On Friday, have been killed by Security organs, according to Rwanda Police’s statement. 5 more suspected assailants responsible for the attack have been captured Rwanda Police says the hunt is still on going” (Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, 06.10.2019).

“As for Musanze sector, it is next inside Musanze district, raising more questions as to how the attackers managed to reach this far inside Musanze district without detection. By virtue of it being such a key economic source for the country, and proximity to DR Congo, the region has obvious heavy military presence. There will be more questions as to how such an attack could have happened. According to initial reports from local villagers who were fleeing from the area into other sectors and Musanze, the attackers were speaking Kinyarwanda, with heavy accent. The villagers also said the assailants were rebels of the democratic forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)“ (The Chronicles Rwanda, 05.10.2019).

We can really wonder whose behind this, even if the Rwandan authorities will tell or the militias itself. Because, the militias would like to take credit to boost their moral and say they won over the state at one battle. Even if the state has killed several of their members and now have detained 5 more. Surely, the militia in question bled a bit out of this, but the state has done too. Even if their numbers are kept close its chest.

What is odd, is that the M.R.C.D., nor RNC or FDLR have taken any responsibility. If it was them, than they should have stated something or through their channels. However, it is silent. They have enough backers. Whose been peddling information over the years. That if they want it out. They get it out. But now its nothing. The state only showing signs of “victory”, even if the victories part is lacking. Since, it is only loss of lives and nothing substantially gained.

We only have the little information from the Chronicles, but nothing else. As the state are not saying anything. Neither, the possible militia behind it all. Not like when the MRCD did their raid a little while back. They took all responsibility and wanted to tell stories. Now it is utter silence.

We cannot know at this point, it is mere speculation, until the verified reports are out. But what is striking is that these issues are reoccurring and at a rate, that is not favourable to Kagame and his authorities. Peace.