Harrison Mutabazi, the Spokesperson for the Judiciary has told IGIHE that the ruling was read on Thursday September 2021 at the headquarters of the aforementioned court.
Idamange, 42, was arrested on 15th February 2021 few days after featuring in series of talk shows aired on YouTube where she called on people to wage riots at Presidency Office.
She appeared in court for first time on 4th March 2021 for hearing on remand or release on bail.
Sarkozy, 66, is unlikely to go to jail despite Thursday’s ruling.
He is expected to appeal the sentence, a move that will in effect suspend it.
The judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag.
Sarkozy, France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was accused of having spent almost twice the maximum legal amount of 22.5 million euros ($26m) on a re-election bid that he lost to the Socialist Party’s Francois Hollande.
Part of the sum was allegedly used to fund extravagant campaign rallies and then hire public relations agency Bygmalion to mask the real cost of the events.
At Sarkozy’s five-week trial in May and June, the prosecution portrayed him as having a “cavalier” attitude to the public money available to candidates during campaigning, saying he ignored warnings from his accountants about the ballooning costs.
Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said the court’s judge had concluded it was “clear that Sarkozy must have known that his campaign team were spending over the legal limit”.
The verdict was harsher than expected, she said, adding that with the latest conviction, Sarkozy’s political career was definitively “over”.
“Prosecutors had asked for a year-long sentence but with six months suspended,” she said.
“And in terms of the symbolism, it won’t be lost on the public that this verdict sends out a message to political candidates and parties that they cannot just act with impunity,” she said.
France is heading into a presidential election next year.
{{Sarkozy denies wrongdoing}}
The ruling came after Sarkozy was found guilty on March 1 of corruption and influence peddling in another case. He was given a year in prison, and a two-year suspended prison sentence in that case, but is free pending an appeal.
Sarkozy, who was not present in court on Thursday, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in both cases.
He told the court in June that he had not been involved in the logistics of his campaign, nor aware of how money was spent during the election run-up.
“Can you imagine me going into a meeting to discuss the cost of flags?” he said, before claiming he had “too much to do”.
“From the moment I was told things were in order, I had no reason to give it more thought.”
But the court ultimately decided Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual expenditure to be responsible.
He made the revelation on Wednesday 29th September 2021 as he officially launched Rwanda- Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference.
The three-day conference bringing together investors from Zimbabwe and Rwanda is taking place at Kigali Convention Centre from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th September 2021.
It is aimed at sharing expertize and opportunities from both countries to explore new avenues of cooperation in different areas of development.
As he addressed close to 200 Rwandan and Zimbabwean senior officials and business leaders attending the conference, Kagame said that progress does not come at random highlighting that African countries, particularly Rwanda and Zimbabwe, need to cooperate and work hard.
“Progress does not come easily, or without sacrifice. It requires hard work, dedication, and self-reliance. But self-reliance does not mean being alone. No country on our continent can prosper without cooperating within our region. We have to come together, pool our resources and knowledge, and reinforce one another,” he said.
Kagame also said that Rwanda and Zimbabwe have investment opportunities and urged participants to take advantage of it and put into action deliberations of the conference relentlessly.
The Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Zephanie Niyonkuru said that that the conference started yielding on the first day with the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of Information and Communication Technology and E-Government, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Tourism and Business Events, Environment and Climate Change and another between the confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and Rwanda Private Sector Federation.
Apart from signed MoUs, Niyonkuru said that companies from Rwanda have explored investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and vice versa.
The project was launched one month ago in Mbyo Village of Unity and Reconciliation located in Bugesera district.
The village accommodates perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, survivors and other Rwandans that lived inside and outside the country before and during the Genocide.
The societal healing program is a joint project between Rwanda and the European Union, implemented by Prison Fellowship Rwanda through Inter Peace, an international organization purposed to strive for durable peace.
Under the project, residents resettled in the village were brought together to form different groups involved in different income generating activities namely; handcrafts of making pointed baskets, growing tomatoes and vegetables among others.
As they do daily activities, residents dedicate specific time for discussions to reflect on the past and tell the truth which helps to heal wounds.
It also is a moment for perpetrators to ask forgiveness and survivors to pardon offenders to promote unity and reconciliation as they continue to move together along their business growth.
The Chairman of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Bishop John Rucyahana has said that the project is meant to promote efforts to heal wounds of Genocide.
“It is a new approach to heal wounds and engaging in profitable businesses at the same time. People have understood the relevance of such activities that we are running quite a number of vivid projects. We also involve the youth and have optimism that these activities will continue contributing to the healing process and improved wellbeing as well,” he said.
Rucyahana explained that the project is expected to reduce trauma, promote unity and reconciliation.
“These groups help to heal wounds because members interact and heal each other through their discussions at work. Besides, they share fruits of their work and make future plans together. It is a powerful medicine soothing their hearts to continue living, working together and discuss the dark past whereby offenders can repent, apologize as they move on with life,” he said.
The mayor of Bugesera district, Richard Mutabazi said that the initiative helps residents to live in harmony and consolidate gains in unity and reconciliation.
“This project came in handy to reinforce Rwandans’ efforts to uphold unity and understand that peace is attained through sitting together to reach common ground and go beyond to do income generating activities,” he said.
“Whatever we do, building infrastructures, peace and security cannot not last long when people turn against each other. Unity is a strong foundation upon which the sustainability of our achievements relies,” added Mutabazi.
Residents who received seed funding to implement their projects revealed that these initiatives not only give hope to spur economic growth but also help them to stand united.
Hilarie Niyongira, is a resident of Byimana village, Kimaranzara cell of Ririma sector.
She would often get isolated in the society and called ‘Interahamwe’ because her father’s role in Genocide.
“I grew up with stigma because neighbors used to call me Interahamwe but I have been integrated in the society that I live without isolation,” she said.
The management of Prison Fellowship Rwanda has revealed that the program will be extended countrywide depending on available means.
Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the government of Rwanda and its relevant agencies, local and international organisations as well as UN agencies to foster interventions that support psycho-social healing, peace building and reconciliation, restorative justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion and legal aid, intervening in emergencies as well as nurturing socio-economic empowerment in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and its aftermath.
Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01st July 1995, affiliated to the Prison Fellowship International in 1997. It was officially registered and recognized by the ministerial order no 037/17, of 23/10/2002, by the Ministry of Justice as a non- profit organization, published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.
Since 2014, Prison Fellowship Rwanda in partnership with Prison Fellowship International (PFI) have been supporting the children of prisoners by providing services and activities which meet the four most vital needs of children, namely education, safety, health, and spiritual engagement. A new and innovative program was launched in July 2021 as a result of seven years of field experience, and best practices developed to meet the needs of children with incarcerated parents through the implementation of the program entitled ‘The Child’s Journey’.
The program pairs each enrolled child with a trained Caseworker.
The pledge was made yesterday as the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Rwanda, Peter Vrooman participated in a forum to raise awareness about inclusion of people with disabilities in HIV/AIDS response as part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) efforts.
“The Government of United States is proud to support the work of UPHLS and has done so since 2015, through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and PEPFAR. With U.S. CDC and PEPFAR support, UPHLS established the National Resource Center on disability and HIV/AIDS to improve accessibility standards and online access to health information,” said Ambassador Vrooman.
“The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and PEPFAR will continue to support upgrades to health facility accessibility through the existing partnership with the Ministry of Health,” he added.
The half-day forum organized by the Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the fight against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS), brought together participants from the U.S. PEPFAR program, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (OPDs), UN Agencies, and other HIV/AIDS actors.
During the forum; decision makers, stakeholders, development partners and governmental institutions had an opportunity to share achievements and best practices regarding inclusion programs for people with disabilities and the challenges they face in HIV/AIDS response in Rwanda.
U.S. CDC and PEPFAR support UPHLS to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in HIV/AIDS programs at health facilities and at the community level through partnership, mentoring, and coaching of community structures and stakeholders; the ultimate goal being to be inclusive of people with disabilities in all aspects of HIV/AIDS response. PEPFAR has invested more than US$1.6 billion in Rwanda since it started in 2004.
PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, enabled by strong bipartisan support across nine U.S. congresses and four presidential administrations, and through the American people’s generosity.
PEPFAR shows the power of what is possible through compassionate, cost-effective, accountable, and transparent American foreign assistance.
Since PEPFAR’s inception in 2003, the U.S. government has invested more than US$85 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, saving more than 20 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and achieving HIV/AIDS epidemic control in more than 50 countries around the world.
Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services and providing support in addressing problems facing the world.
The club draws much attention on seven areas of focus namely; disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, environment protection, peace and conflict resolution.
Rotary Club International was established 116 years ago. It is currently comprised of 1.2 million members from 200 countries.
Kigali-Virunga is one of seven Rotary clubs operating in Rwanda including Rotary Club Kigali Doyen, Mont Jali, Musanze Murera, Butare, Gasabo and Bugoyi Ibirunga.
During the exercise which took place on Saturday 25th September 2021, Rotary Club Kigali-Virunga urged residents to preserve environment and take good care of planted fruit trees considering their nutritious benefits, and big role in preventing erosion and providing fresh air.
Residents resettled in the village expressed delight for the exercise highlighting that planted trees will help them eradicate malnutrition.
“We have welcomed the activity and extend our gratitude to members of Rotary Club. We shall reap fruits, prevent malnutrition and save money that we used to buy fruits for other household needs,” said Philomène Kankindi.
The village leader Jean Pierre Benimana also thanked members of Rotary Club for the gesture.
“Our thanks go to Rotary International and other partners for ensuring success of this activity. These fruit trees will help us to prevent malnutrition while others will be used to produce timber or beans’ poles,” he said.
The Ambassador of the United States to Rwanda and member of Rotary Club, Peter Vrooman said that they are proud of their involvement in different activities promoting citizens’ wellbeing.
“The most important thing is to work together with common understanding to carry out activities beneficial to the community we live in. These activities might be in the areas of health, education and environment preservation like we have planted trees today. It is of significant importance to promote the spirit of working together as an international organization operating in different countries,” he noted.
The President of Rotary Club Kigali Virunga, Suman Alla explained that the activity was meant to support existing initiatives to spur the country’s development.
“It was necessary to be part of activities promoting wellbeing of residents resettled in Kinigi model village to support initiatives launched by President Paul Kagame to transform citizens’ livelihoods. This is not only a model village in Rwanda but also in Africa and we must contribute to the wellbeing of its dwellers,” he said.
The Assistant District Governor, Dr. Jean d’Amour Manirere highlighted that the organization does not only provide humanitarian services but also extends its initiatives to environment preservation.
“We have joined residents of this model village to plant trees. This has a significant impact and motivates residents to own such activities bearing in mind their nutritious benefits and contribution to environment preservation,” he said.
Rotary Club Kigali Virunga also planted 1000 trees in Nyakinama village.
The activity was funded by different partners including One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rotaractors, Musanze district and conservationists including Zamara, Hope Ethiopia, Peace Corps and GGGI among others.
Rotary Club Rwanda is comprised of 157 members.
The decorated include 158 officers of Rwanda Formed Police Three (RWAFPU-3), which was deployed in Juba in November last year, and 23 Individual Police Officers (IPOs).
The colourful medal parade held at RWAFPU-3 was presided over by the Special Representative of the Secretary General to UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.
It was also attended by the UNMISS Police Commissioner, Madam Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa, Assistant Inspector General for South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), Lt. Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter, heads and representatives of UN departments and commanders of other police and military countributing countries.
The decorated FPU-3 contingent involves majority women, and the SRSG said that this is a “model of advancement to involve women in peacekeeping and peace process.”
“Your work was durable to the people of South Sudan. Remain dedicated and vigilant, maintain the dignity until you go back home. The UN peacekeeping medal awarded today is in recognition of your personal sacrifice and being worthy ambassadors of your country and the UN,” Mr. Haysom said.
RWAFPU contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jeannette Masozera, thanked the UNMISS leadership and other peacekeepers as well as the South Sudan Police and the citizens for the support in the execution of their duties.
“Our duties are embodied in UNMISS mandate; protection of civilians, creating conducive atmosphere for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitoring and investigation of human rights violations and supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and the peace process,” SSP Masozera said.
She added that despite the encountered challenges, the contingent “remained resilient in handling the unpredictable and challenging circumstances.”
“We are pleased to be recognized for our selfless and hard work.”
