The Rwanda government has allayed any rumours that Father Nahimana Thomas, a vehement government critic, might be stopped from entering the country.
The Immigration and Emigration Directorate Public Relations Office has clarified that Father Nahimana Thomas is welcomed to Rwanda, a move which follows circulated grapevine news that Nahimana who was supposed to land in Kigali yesterday evening may have been barred.
According to the statement from the Rwanda Immigration office; on 22nd January 2017, the Immigration Officer at Kigali International Airport alerted SN Brussels and other airlines, about issues in Nahimana travel status which is routine procedure.
Butera Yves, the Public Relations Officer stated that Nahimana had applied for a Visa as a French citizen, and yet he was also in possession of an expired Rwandan Passport.
Commenting on the previous attempt of Nahimana to come to Rwanda, Butera explained that the priest had used the East African Tourism Visa adding that he is yet to notify Immigration that he acquired dual citizenship, as provided for by Rwanda Immigration Law.
“Nahimana is welcome to Rwanda, as any other citizen. He is also aware of these administrative and Immigration procedural requirements,” reads part of the statement welcoming Nahimana to Rwanda.
Reverend Father Thomas Nahimana is known for his scathing attacks against the government of Rwanda and revisionism through his website, ‘Le Prophète’ (the prophet) based in France where he has lived for 11.
After a failed return to Rwanda in November 2016, the founder of ‘Ishema’ political party has announced that he will arrive in Kigali at the beginning of 2017 to start campaigns ahead of presidential elections scheduled for 4th August 2017.
Nahimana first announced he would return to Kigali on 23rd November 2016 but, it was later reported, that he was barred from entering Rwanda over incomplete travel documents which he claimed to be false.
Nahimana, 45, was born in Cyangugu diocese and has been living in France from where he has been spreading politics of hatred and discrimination.
He formed ‘Ishema’ political party on 28th January 2013 through which he spread his political ideology.
During his remarks during RPF Inkotanyi Political Bureau at the end of 2016, President Paul Kagame was surprised by how a fugitive like priest Nahimana Thomas could be barred from entering Rwanda saying he should be allowed entry and if he has committed any crime be pursued later in the courts of law.
By closure of business yesterday, Nahimana had not landed in Rwanda leading to his critics describing him as a liar.
A statement released by his political party indicated that he would land at Kigali International Airport from Paris on Monday 23rd January 2017 at 19:30 hours in KLM airplane belonging to Netherlands.
The aviation company had announced that KL 537 airplane would take off from Netherlands at Schiphol i Amsterdam airport at 9:55 hours to reach Kigali at 19:20 hours.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium, Olivier Nduhungirehe has via Facebook page posted that priest Nahimana may have not traveled as his political party and him had announced.
“Priest Nahimana neither boarded KL 537 flight nor arrived at Schipol (Amsterdam) airport. That was really a complete lie because people have seen him at Zaventem airport in Belgium,” he said.
“Be preparing for another lie through the media. This priest is a great liarr,” he added.
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