Author: IGIHE

“By abruptly terminating the mission and turning to the media before discussion with the host government, the committee violated its own guidelines as well as the pre-agreed schedule of the visit,” Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye has said.

Busingye was reacting to the UN’s SPTthat last week announced that it suspended its visit to Rwanda due to lack of cooperation from the Government and to a series of obstructions imposed by authorities by denying access to some places of detention and in assuring the confidentiality of interviews with inmates.

The committee also claimed that it received allegations that some interviewees could face reprisals.

According to Busingye, in five days, the committee conducted field visits to several institutions including prisons, police stations, transit centers and a psychiatric hospital, interviewing staff, inmates and patients.

He says that Rwanda considers the visit termination as an act of bad faith.
“Any technical issues that arose during field visits were immediately resolved. Allegations of reprisals for anyone interviewed are baseless and inflammatory. While we will continue to uphold the Convention against Torture, we will consider our options in respect of the Optional Protocol,” Busingye said.

“Rwanda voluntarily ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, part of the minority of states-parties to have done so. The SPT exists to reinforce national institutions, not replace them,” he noted.

He says that during its mission to Rwanda, the SPT visited institutions across the country specifically chosen by the committee itself.

Among visited institutions are Rilima and Muhanga Prisons; Nyamata, Kimihurura, and Nyamirambo Police Stations; Gikondo Transit Centre; Kami Rwanda Defence Forces 1st Division Headquarters and Ndera Psychiatric Hospital.

The SPT also interviewed a cross-section of people chosen by the committee, including prisoners, detainees, psychiatric patients, soldiers, rehabilitation centre inmates and staff at all places visited.

The delegation suspended their mission on day five of their planned seven-day visitclaiming that they faced some obstructions including being denied access to some places.
“We have been barred from completing our work in some places, and grave limitations have been imposed on granting access to certain places of detention,” said ArmanDanielyan, head of the STP delegation.

“We have also been unable to carry out private and confidential interviews with some persons deprived of their liberty. Moreover, many of those we have managed to interview have expressed fears of reprisals. We must not place the persons that have cooperated with us in danger,” he added.

WEF carried out a research in 137 countries around the World where they considered factors like independent of the judicial system from government, individuals or corporate influence

Reacting to the report, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General, Johnston Busingye thanked all people who worked to sustain judicial independence in Rwanda.

“We are humbled by this ranking, thanks to all those working towards sustaining our judicial independence. That said our sights are now trained on Finland’s performance,” Busingye posted on his twitter handle.

Finland was ranked first globally with 6.8 out of 7, followed by New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and Netherlands respectively.

Rwanda scored 5.6 out of 7 on the ranking scale.

Other African countries ranked thus; Namibia 29th, 31st, Mauritius 34th and South Africa 36th.

In East Africa, Kenya is 55th, Tanzania 68th, Uganda 92nd and Burundi 137.

United States of America was ranked 25th and France 28th.

Among other sectors that WEF evaluated include Efficiency of Government Spending where they ranked Rwanda as 5th globally.

On Security, Rwanda was ranked 9th and on Accountability was ranked 33rd.

President Paul Kagame was born in October 23rd, 1957 in former Tambwe District, Gitarama Prefecture now Ruhango District of Southern Province.

Through his twitter wall, Williams Nkurunziza said “We are thrilled as the sun rises today: For it is his birthday, a joy to his family and a blessing to the nation. Congratulations your Excellency!”

Another Rwandan, Jeanne d’Arc Byaje said under Kagame’s leadership, there are ideal conditions for a safe and brighter future.

“Never has a Day felt so special like this when we Rwandans recall Paul Kagame recommitment to remain at the helm of the nation! Happy Birth Day your Excellency!”

“Under Paul Kagame able leadership, the sky is blue-er, the sun blossoms, ideal conditions for a safer and brighter future! Thank you Kagame HBD” Byajewrote on her twitter wall.

While accepting the responsibility, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General, Johnston Busingye told the STC Ministerial meeting in Kigali that the government will execute the responsibility with utmost humility.

“We accept with the deep sense of humility and responsibility, the confidence and trust you have bestowed on Rwanda,” he said.

Busingye said that the government of Rwanda fully understands the enormous responsibility that lies ahead but courageous to restlessly and closely work with all member states and African Union Commission towards addressing collective challenges on African migration, Refugees and IDPs.

He said that Rwanda’s tenure comes at critical time when the continent is confronted with the rise of illegal migration reports of Africans facing tremendous hard trip including death when attempting to cross to Europe.

“This is a situation that needs our attention, millions of African are looking to us to address this challenge. Silence would not be a good option” he said.
Call for removal of travel barriers

Busingye said that Africa remains largely closed where Africans still need visas to travel to over half of the continent.

“It is worth recalling that current borders were largely inherited from colonisation that barricanised the continent in total disregard of Africa’s interests. But it is equally worth noting that our recovered political independence comes with responsibility of collectively providing solutions to the various challenges bequeathed to us by our history and still being faced by our continent” he said.

Quoting President Paul Kagame, Busingye said that divisions colonialists imposed on Africans have left them relatively more isolated both from each other and the World as a whole.
He said that apart from hindering Africa’s integration, closing borders for fellow Africans has not made the continent any safer.

“This gathering represent therefore a historical opportunity for us to collectively address some of the continental challenges most arising from our shared history and to devise solutions to our common challenges” he urged participants.

He said that facilitating free movement for Africans in Africa is essential in collective journey towards the development of the continent.

Speaking this week while signing performance contracts with institutions working under MININFRA, Minister James Musoni said that in this fiscal year a total of 21,154 families will be relocated to model villages.

He said that model villages have been constructed in all districts and the next target is to establish them in all sectors of the country so that individual families can extract samples and construct their own.

“Last year, we constructed model villages in all districts; now, we want to build them in all sectors so that individuals can easily copy and implement the structural plans in their respective localities” Musoni said.

The Rwanda Housing Authority Director General, Augustin Kampayana said that last year, government invested Rwf22 billion in constructing model villages in all districts.

The medal decoration ceremony was held at Rwanbatt48 Headquarters in ZALINGEI, Central Darfur in Sudan.

The medals award ceremony was presided over by Maj Gen Fida Hussain Maalik, the Deputy Force Commander on behalf of UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR).

“Today is a remarkable day that the United Nations has set aside to express its appreciation to the Gallant Officers, Men and Women of Rwanbatt48, for their dedication to duty, high level of professionalism and above all, their contribution towards the overall success of the UNAMID mission and the Peace Keeping operation in Darfur”, he said while presenting the UN Peacekeeping Medals to Rwandan troops on behalf of the UNAMID Joint Special Representative.

Maalik who is also the Acting UNAMID Force Commander, commended Rwandan Peacekeepers for conducting humanitarian assistance and quick impact projects to the people of Darfur.

“I am proud to say that Rwanbatt48 has excelled in their role as loyal, dedicated and committed peacekeepers in the sector central of the UNAMID area of operations. I am aware that you have undertaken several quick impact projects in your areas of responsibility since your deployment, to name but few, the construction of women conference hall in Nerititi Team Site,” he said.

“emergency medical cases reported by the locals to your Level 1 Hospital were given the urgent attention it deserves,” he added

He also thanked the Government of Rwanda for its significant contribution and sustained commitment to UN Peacekeeping operations.

In his remarks, the Rwanbatt48 Commanding Officer, Lt Col Fidel Butare congratulated Rwanbatt48 Officers, for their discipline and professionalism for the last ten months on duty.

“I am pleased to note that, this medal award will be regarded extraordinary as a motivation, which will contribute greatly in executing with renewed commitment to the protection of Civilians as well as discharging other duties as required by the UNAMID mandate; we pledge to double our efforts in the remaining months before we finish our tour of duty”, Butare noted.

Butare also thanked fellow colleagues with whom they worked together in both Zalingei and Nerititi Team Sites and locals of both communities, for their support to the battalion.

He reminded the troops under his command to always uphold the UN values.