Koshens became most popular in dancehall beat songs like ’Simple Song’, ‘Gal A Bubble’ , ‘Couple Up’ and ‘Walk And Wine’ among others.
The artist has via twitter revealed that Rwanda is among countries he is expecting to hold concerts.
He also posted a short video showing him invited to the stage for performance and laughing as he holds a microphone.
“How I am gonna smile when we finally confirm these Africa dates. Kenya. Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi Burundi etc… Who is missing?? Can’t wait,” he said in a tweet.
Dates and venues for the concert have not yet been confirmed.
Konshens last visited Rwanda in East African Party held on 1st January 2016 in which he featured with Rwandan artistes including King James, Urban Boyz, Bruce Melody and Allioni.
Konshens became an international superstar almost immediately after bursting onto the music scene in 2005.
Born Garfield Spence in Kingston in 1985, he claims Beres Hammond as his primary musical influence, and his vocal style is strong and confident yet smooth and melodic.
His songs range from urgent, socially conscious pleas to sexually charged dance numbers. Konshens first began making music as part of duo Sojah, along with his brother Delmark Spence (Delus). Their single “Pon Di Corner” became a number one hit in Japan, leading to a lengthy tour of that country, which was Konshens’ first experience performing live.
After the duo released the Japan-only Sons of Jah album and completed another tour, they decided to work on solo material. Konshens began releasing a steady stream of dancehall hits, including “Winner,” “Rasta Imposter,” and “Insanity.”
Steven Niyongombwa was arrested on 4th June 2019 after residents became suspicious of his activities and reported him to police.
It is said that by the time of his arrest, Niyongombwa had already collected money from more than 10 people. He was caught red-handed receiving Rwf50, 000 from a woman, whom he had promised he would return her goods.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, “on June 4, the would-be victim was intercepted smuggling assorted goods.
“Niyongombwa reached out to the woman guising as an employee of RRA promising to bail her goods for Rwf50, 000. The woman decided to report the matter to the Police and Niyongombwa was arrested receiving the money,” CIP Gasasira said.
Niyongombwa is said to have defrauded many people in the past promising them the same service,” he added.
CIP Gasasira cautioned the public against paying money to individuals for public services.
“Always double-check the identity of individuals before paying for any services, besides that would be an act of giving or soliciting bribes, which is a crime. If you are suspicious about an individual, immediately alert the police and local authorities. This will not only save you from being cheated, but it will also save many others,” he said.
CIP Gasasira urged the public to be wary of such masqueraders adding that all government officials have identifications.
The destruction exercise held on 3rd June 2019 in Kiramuruzi Sector was witnessed by the mayor of Gatsibo, Richard Gasana, the District Police Commander, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Jean Baptiste Bucyangenda, prosecution, Rwanda Investigation Bureau as well as hundreds of local residents.
The disposed of substances include 12446 sachets of Zebra Gin, 2097 bottles of assorted illicit drinks, and plastic bags.
Mayor Gasana urged residents of Kiramuruzi to create legal job rather than engaging in illicit businesses.
“These illicit drinks pose ill-effects to users but also a criminal act that leads to long term imprisonment,” Gasana told the residents.
He appealed to them to work closely with security organs to identity and arrest anyone involved in these criminal activities.
The mayor also reminded grassroots leaders to be at the task as heads of community policing to work with the people in fighting and preventing crimes.
The DPC, CIP Bucyangenda said that the disposed of illicit drinks were seized in separate operations conducted in the last three months.
He commended the role of the residents in successful operations and arresting dealers, through credible information sharing.
“These illicit drinks destroy your children, the young people; we need to work together to address the problem collectively,” the DPC told the residents.
The prosecutor of Gatsibo and Nyagatare, Augustine Rusanganwa reminded the residents of the legal repercussion of trafficking, making, selling and abusing illicit drugs.
Consuming illicit drinks is punishable with an imprisonment of up to two years while trafficking and selling them attracts a jail term of up to 20 years.
The diplomatic row between Rwanda and Uganda relations dates back two years ago. The government of Rwanda reports 900 of its nationals are ambiguously incarcerated, tortured and illegally expelled from Uganda.
The souring relationship between Rwanda and Uganda worsened in March 2019, when Rwanda advised its people not to travel to Uganda until the situation comes back to normal.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Kampala, lawyers of detained Rwandan nationals said all rights of their clients have been violated by the government of Uganda as reported by The Observer, a Uganda based media house.
They allege that as many as 100 ordinary Rwandan traders, and business people engaged in export and import trade and others working with faith-based organizations have been illegally detained by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) on undisclosed charges.
Many have been illegally deported to Rwanda while others have had to endure inhumane treatment.
Gawaya Tegulle and Aboneka Michael, the lawyers of the detainees, who were joined by the Secretary of Uganda Law Society, Francis Harimwomugasho, said the time has come for the international community to get involved in order to arrest the situation, which they said is spiralling out of control.
Tegulle said as lawyers of Rwandan detainees, they were dismayed by the statement made by Sam Kutesa, Uganda’s foreign affairs minister on May 17.
The minister said the only Rwandans arrested in Uganda are those found on the wrong side of the law.
“Rwandans are welcome to visit Uganda. However, Uganda expects Rwandans who visit Uganda just like any other visitors to be law-abiding. Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with according to the law. In this connection, several Rwandan nationals who have been arrested for breaking the law have been charged in courts of law or deported back to Rwanda. In addition, a number of Rwandan security operatives have been entering Uganda without following laid-down procedures governing entry of security personnel into the country. A number of these when apprehended have been deported back to Rwanda,” Kutesa’s statement partly reads.
But Tegulle said the only truth in Kutesa’s statement is that Uganda has arrested Rwandans.
“The rest of the statement is a rather disturbing pack of prevarications. He simply skims and slides over very important matters concerning real people and their families; people whose lives are being changed for the worse; irreparably and irreversibly by the actions of the security agencies in Uganda. There are children whose fathers are missing wives whose husbands cannot be traced, old folks who are wondering if they will live long enough to see their children again,” Tegulle said.
He added that those arrested are not allowed access to their families, lawyers and medical care and some are subjected to torture to extort information from them. He said they have tried but failed to call government to order through the legal process.
Up to 12 orders of habeas corpus have been issued by the court but in almost all cases, the government has defied the court save for the cases of Calude Iyakaremye, Rene Rutagungira, Emmanuel Rwamucyo and Augustine Rutayisire who appeared in the Military Court Martial.
“A few weeks ago Robert Tumwine was released after torture and dumped half dead at his sister’s home in Mbarara; he died shortly after…If any law has been broken, then it’s the security agencies, not the detainees,”Tegulle said.
Harimwomugasho said Uganda Law Society is dismayed that government continues to disregard court orders.
“As long as a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order, it must be respected. As ULS, we condemn in the strongest terms possible anybody who receives orders and doesn’t respect them. If the government is displeased with such orders, let them appeal them,” Harimwomugasho said.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of housing dissidents intending to threaten state security.
Ancel is among 2500 soldiers sent to Rwanda on 22nd June 22 1994 in French-led military operation in Rwanda ‘Opération Turquoise’ with a mandate of stopping genocide and setting up a temporary humanitarian zone in Western part of Rwanda ‘Zone Turquoise’.
Recently, on 29th May 2019, the School of Higher Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS) in France hosted talks on commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among guests who graced the commemoration talks were Rtd Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Ancel, the author of a wide array of books including ‘Rwanda, la fin du silence’.
He explained that they were briefed on their mission to Rwanda in Opération Turquoise two hours before their departure.
As per provided briefings, Ancel established that France was involved in the four year-long war in Rwanda against the then Government and RPF Inkotanyi soldiers.
Ancel revealed that France soldiers in Rwanda took part in raids intended to demolish RPF Inkotanyi headquarters and supporting the Government’s plan to execute genocide.
Guillaume Ancel, 53, narrated that the kinds of weapons they brought to Rwanda was evidencing of their mission to engage into war than humanitarian assistance.
The Land forces on the mission included Special Forces from Regiment Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine (RPIMa) with long and short range weapons, night vision weapons, armoured forces among others equipped with 10 fighting helicopters known as ‘Gazelle’ along with three Super-Puma helicopters.
Air forces had over 30 helicopters including C-130 Hercules, Falcon -20, C-160 TRANSALL and CASA-235. They had also hired one Airbus, one Boing 747, and 17 Antonov-124 Condor to transport military equipment.
He explained that they had received orders to “carry out a land raid on Kigali to put back in place the genocidal government and free it from RPA soldiers by the time they landed in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Ancel, this order was renewed on June 30, 1994, in order to “stop the advance of the RPF soldiers” (Rwandan Patriotic Front), before moving, the next day, in a rescue operation, with the establishment of a “temporary humanitarian zone” in the west of the country.
When they arrived in Bisesero, one of areas in Zone Turquoise, Ancel said, they were surprised to see the supported Government killing citizens. At the time the then Government had already killed over 60,000 Tutsi.
Ancel said this is the time when they received new orders to stop fighting and involve in humanitarian assistance.
As per testimonies released in French based Magazine ‘Esprit’, Ancel revealed that the place for humanitarian assistance was also used to support soldiers of the genocidaire Government providing a passage way to DRC and escorting them to the refuge in DRC.
Guillaume Ancel said he was part of France soldiers who distributed weapons to the Government which perpetrated genocide in DRC refuge.
Normally, international laws don’t allow refugees to cross to foreign country with weapons or receive weapons in the host.
The order to support the genocidaire government was issued by the office of President François Mitterrand after the approval of the Defense Chief of Staff.
Ancel explained that the assistance granted by France to the Rwandan government at the time confirms the complicity in the genocide.
He said France participation during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi went into force because there was no vibrant opposition ring to stand against the decision.
Ancel highlighted that hiding such history, makes it a great mistake of France that might lead to re-occurrence of what happened.
In April 2019, France President, Emmanuel Macron has unveiled the establishment of the commission made of experts in history and researchers analyzing writings kept in archives of the country indicating France activities in Rwanda between 1990-1994 to come up with the truth on the role of France in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Guillaume Ancel welcomed the initiative but noted that it might be obstructed by former leaders including Amiral Jacques Lanxade, former France Defense Chief of Staff during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Lanxade has recently said that researchers won’t find anything new on Rwanda, France relations before and during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Despite the support granted to genocidaire government, RPA soldiers soldiered on until they liberated Kigali city on 4th July 1994.
The liberation struggle took end on 18th July 1994 after RPF Inkotanyi soldiers defeated the genocidaire government from different territories.
The building was located near Kigali City roundabout, opposite the Kiyovu neighborhood. It was closed and demolished in 2014 due to the under-use of the land and building.
“Together with the French embassy in Kigali, we are discussing on how to bring back the French Cultural Centre. This might not include the action of rebuilding the house but together we are looking for a place where they can operate from, which will be very soon. They are appreciating some of the buildings, and we are helping them to see if the areas are suitable for their activities”, said Marie Chantal Rwakazina, Mayor of Kigali City during a press conference.
Before its demolition, Centre d’Echange Culturels Franco-Rwandais had facilities such as a library and could host French lectures, seminars about culture and small concerts.
While speaking to over 1000 university youth in Musanze district during talks organized by Unit Club Intwararumuri, Gen Kabarebe said despite obstacles encountered they regained strength and hope for triumph emanating from values their commander President Paul Kagame instilled in them.
Unity Club, is an organization made up of former and current cabinet members and their spouses created with the aim of promoting unity while contributing to the socio-economic development of the country that following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The liberation war began on 1st October 1990 launched by RPF-Inkotanyi. After the second day of the liberation war, the force lost the top commander Maj Gen Fred Rwigema and close subordinates including Bayingana.
“This disturbed us and made us feel how the battle was complicated than expected,” he said.
Gen. Kabarebe revealed that the key to success following such loss was values instilled by President Kagame and his expertise commanding the war.
He explained that Kagame re-organized the battle from scratch because soldiers seemed to be on the brink of defeat over inadequate skills to combat and organizing a war.
“We were armed soldiers when we raided Rwanda. We would find Habyarimana soldiers playing cards in Kagitumba. They would flee as we shot them and conquer the area but without determined goal and values for the battle,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe stressed that their efforts would remain futile hadn’t they had President Kagame who came in with new tactics , reorganizing the battle and setting up defined goals.
He said President Kagame withdrew the force from Mutara where they were prone to gun and helicopters’ shots to Virunga National Parks where he set a redefined vision to fight for unity, human rights and Rwandans development among others.
“He taught us war techniques, does and don’ts, high level discipline and values,” he told the youth.
The latter enabled RPA military to understand that values and building mindsets opposed to adversaries is paramount.
“He urged us to be disciplined, love the nation and fight for it, sacrificing for the nation. Dedication and using few resources to achieve more. Every soldier was equipped with values and understanding the rationale for the battle. Such values gave us more strength than equipment we had because RPA had few resources,” said Gen Kabarebe.
He called on the youth to be characterized by such moral values, patriotism and sacrifice for it where necessary and draw from it a lesson to become confident.
One of members of Unit Club, Stella Ford Mugabo requested the youth to root on these values and preserve the country’s achievements.
The youth also pledged to utilize their efforts creating own solutions and building the nation.
The visit was in line with the existing working relations between Rwanda and Italy.
IGP Munyuza and His Excellency Domenico discussed measures to strengthen parternship between RNP and Carabiniere.
Carabiniere is the National Gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations.
HE Domenico described the bilateral cooperation between RNP and Carabinieri as “excellent.”
The partnership is guided by the cooperation pact signed in January 2017, which elaborates exchange of best practices and capacity building in varied areas.
The agreement focuses mainly on training; counter-terrorism, public order management, traffic and road safety, peace support operations, aviation security, border security and cybercrime investigations, among others.
Under this framework, hundreds of Rwandan Police officers have been trained in various policing disciplines such as Counter Terrorism, Aviation Security, Road Safety and Traffic Management, Public Order Management, Canine Handling and Special Forces Training.
The discussions have also been attended by Rwanda’s ambassador to Egypt,Sheikh Habimana Saleh.
During his visit to Cairo, Minister Sezibera also had a meeting with Gen. Mohamed Zaki, Minister of Defense of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
He also met with H.E Dr. Ali Abdel -Aal Sayed Ahmed, the Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, who is expected to pay an official visit to Rwanda soon.
Rwanda,Egypt enjoy cooperation in three areas including trade,education and health to which both countries are earmarking much effort to generate mutual benefits.
In education sector, Rwandans students have been getting opportunities to further studies in Egypt.
Today, 63 students are pursuing studies in Egypt of whom 51 are studying at Al-Azhar University on partnership with Muslim community in Rwanda, 7 are self-funded at Alexandria University , 2 students attend studies at Cairo University and 1 studying at British University in Cairo.
They also laid wreaths at the mass graves and toured different facilities at the memorial to learn more about history before, during and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Hidalgo lauded efforts of Kigali Memorial to preserve genocide history.
“I appreciate works done at this memorial. It replicates the entire truth on the execution of genocide,” she said.
Hidalgo stressed that depicting truth on history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is the right way to regain strength towards the resilience journey.
