The memorial that will feature names of Sports men killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi was proposed by the team that carried out research on the former Ministry of Youth and Associative Movement previously known as Ministère de la Jeunesse et du Mouvement associative (MIJEUMA).
Appearing in RTV talk show on Sunday 11th April 2021 revolving around how ‘Sports and Entertainment’ were used as a tool to prepare Genocide, Dr. Gakwenzire Philbert who conducted research on the former MIJEUMA said that 75% of Tutsi that worked with the Ministry were killed during Genocide against Tutsi.
He explained that MIJEUMA had 544 employees before Genocide of whom 49 were Tutsi equivalent to 9%. Of the 49 Tutsi, 37 (75%) were killed during Genocide while 12 survived.
After conducting the research, Dr. Gakwenzire proposed building a memorial featuring names of fallen victims that worked with the Ministry at Amahoro Stadium in Remera where it had offices.
“No memorial has been built for 37 former employees of the Ministry killed during Genocide. We proposed that the memorial with names of Genocide victims should be built at Amahoro Stadium,” he said.
“The Ministry had offices at the stadium but we are aware that it had main headquarters in Quartier Commercial (currently in Kigali city centre). We also proposed that the building should be marked with a symbol reflecting that it is among places where Genocide was planned. It is a truth well known that the dance troop dubbed Irindiro of [Simon Bikindi] used the ministry’s multipurpose hall for repetitions as well as other resources of the ministry,” he said.
Simon Bikindi was renowned for producing songs that encouraged Hutus to kill Tutsi.
The Minister of Sports, Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa who also featured in the talk show said that the memorial will be constructed after rehabilitating Amahoro Stadium and feature names of sportsmen killed during Genocide.
“It is true that the proposal was tabled. As we know, the current premises of Amahoro Stadium are set for renovation. The idea was welcomed the great idea that we want materialized. Apart from employees of MIJEUMA, sportsmen, members of different associations or partners of the then ministry whose identifications are traced will be feature on the list,” she said.
“We cannot specify the date because the activity is planned after completing renovation works,” added Munyangaju.
The violators were arrested in operations conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local leaders.
The District Police Commander (DPC) for Bugesera, Superintendent of Police (SP) Issa Bacondo and the district vice mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Yvette Imanishimwe led the three-hour inspection and enforcement.
The majority violators were found in public places either without face mask or wearing them badly; and traders without hand-washing points for their customers.
The violators were taken to Nyamata stadium, where they were sensitized on the government directives as well as hygiene and safety practices against the pandemic.
The vice mayor warned that being complacent can drive the country to another wave to infections.
“Coronavirus is still here, you can hardly know who is infected and who is not. The only way to fight and prevent its spread is to follow the health guidelines,” Imanishimwe told the violators.
She added that some people undermine the directives intentionally adding that local authorities will continue to work together to enforce the directives and ensure violators are penalized.
The DPC, SP Issa Bacondo warned that Police will not wither to enforce the directives and to arrest violators.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to protect each other from this virus, but that starts from individual compliance and reporting violators, who expose others to the risk of getting infected with the Coronavirus,” SP Bacondo said.
The violators were also handed administrative fines.
The statement released last night shows that 83 people have caught the virus, 171 recovered while 5 are critically ill.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 23426 people have been tested positive of whom 21243 have recovered, 1868 are active cases while 315 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 348,926 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The majority of new cases were found in Huye: 13, i Nyamagabe: 12, Nyaruguru: 11 Nyanza: 10 and Kigali: 8.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 23343 people have been tested positive of whom 21072 have recovered, 1957 are active cases while 314 have succumbed to the virus.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized in separate Rwanda National Police (RNP) operations conducted in the last three months.
The public destruction exercise was held in Kinihira Village, Bungwe Cell of Bungwe Sector and witnessed by RNP, RIB, local leaders and residents.
The acting District Police Commander (DPC) for Burera, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Callixte Kayitana, said the “majority traffickers and local dealers were arrested during the operations.”
“During these operations, we arrested 48 people with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances but other traffickers escaped back to Uganda where they get the drugs and sneak them into Rwanda through porous borders,” said CIP Kayitana.
He commended the role of residents especially those residing on the borderline, who share information on dealers and trafficking routes.
CIP Callixte Kayitana warned of continued operations against drug traffickers and appealed to residents to strengthen the fight through information sharing on individuals and groups involved.
Cannabis and assorted illicit gin including kanyanga and others packed in banned polythene bags are the most common trafficked drugs seized in Burera.
Cannabis is classified as a “very severe narcotic drug” under the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation while all other illicit drinks are listed as “simple drugs.”
Anyone convicted for “simple drugs” under article 263 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of Frw5 million to Frw10 million.
In case of “very severe drugs”, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The body was found yesterday on Friday 9th April 2021 in Kibare village, Isangano cell. It was first seen by fishers on daily work in Lake Rwakibare.
The executive secretary of Ndego sector, Karuranga Léon has told IGIHE the body flew to the lake from River Akagera.
“The body was washed away by River Akagera. The deceased is not a resident of Ndego. We have failed to identify him but it is apparent that he might have died five days ago. His face has seriously deteriorated,” he said.
Karuranga explained that the man’s arms were tied to the back and had been stabbed on one leg.
He said that Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has launched investigation to establish cause of the death. The body was taken to Rwinkwavu Hospital.
The political expert who once served as an advisor in the Office of the President the Republic, Paul Kagame has explained that it is the first time for a committee established by France to approve that the country supported the Government that prepared and executed Genocide noting that the gesture is a giant stride leading to the revelation of unknown realities and revitalized bilateral relations.
The report by expert commission comprised of French historians was released on 26th March 2021 and presented to French President Emmanuel Macron. The team studied French official files.
The report indicated that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
It was presented two years, after the delegation of 13 historians started reviewing archives on France, Rwanda relations between 1990 and 1994.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission two years ago, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
Dr. Kimonyo who also authored different books has told IGIHE that the relevance of the report lies in its resolutions.
He holds a PhD in Political Science obtained from Québec University in Canada.
He has so far authored two books including ‘Rwanda, un génocide populaire ‘ and ‘Rwanda demain! Une longue marche vers la transformation’.
“In fact, the gist of the report lies in its resolutions. It has two resolutions.The first states that French people had heavy and overwhelming responsibility to what happened in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994. Secondly, it is the first time an entity from France makes such a statement. That’s a great milestone,” he said.
“Taking stock of the situation in the past five years, an individual trying to ask former France officials if the country was accomplice to Habyarimana or Genocidal Government was mocked. The report clears France of complicity but asking the question also has a strong relevance,” added Dr. Kimonyo.
He explained that implications of the report proves the country’s role during Genocide particularly allies complicity of allies to the then President Mitterand even though it is not mentioned directly.
Dr. Kimonyo finds that Duclert report is a great step to restoring Rwanda, France relations considering the strong willingness of President Macron since he took office in 2017.
“The report is not the first gesture Macron demonstrates to revitalize Rwanda. France relations. As the Duclert commission was established, the country had started spotting Genocide fugitives to face justice. The situation is promising that Rwanda, France relations will continue to flourish,” he observed.
Since 1991, France embassy in Rwanda reported that preparation of Genocide to exterminate Tutsi but the Government of Mitterand kept a deaf ear as revealed by Colonel René Galinié who was the Defense Attaché to the Embassy of France in Rwanda and head of military cooperation mission (July 1991-April 1994).
The Duclert report also triggered reactions of other French soldiers who were deployed in ‘Opération Turquoise’ (a French-led military intervention in Rwanda since 1994) among other politicians who have been explaining the Government of the then French President, Mitterand disregarded for several times reports and evidences explaining that Genocide was under preparation in Rwanda.
“President Kagame today received French Historian Vincent Duclert, who presented the report titled ‘France, Rwanda and the Genocide Against the Tutsi’. The report was commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron, two years ago and was done by a team of 13 researchers and historians,” the Presidency has tweeted.
Prof. Duclert who arrived in Rwanda on 7th April 2021 has held exclusive talks with President Kagame were accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr.Vincent Biruta and the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
Prof. Duclert said he was glad to present to President Kagame, the report on France’ role during Genocide.
Duclert explained that the report is based on findings from reviewed archives related to Rwanda during Genocide.
Rwanda, France relations wavered in the past over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
As Rwanda began the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, Macron granted public access to these official archives.
Minister Biruta said that Duclert report reflects the commitment of President Macron towards revealing the truth of what happened and highlighted that it provides ground for common understanding, which is a significant step to both countries’ relations.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission in 2019, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
The report by French historians revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
As he delivered the message marking the beginning of the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi; Kagame said that certain French officials have for decades tried to cover up their responsibilities (during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi) which caused significant damage and reminisced on the Duclert report which he welcomed highlighting that it marks an important step toward common understanding of what took place.
“Recently, a commission of historians appointed by the French government released a detailed report after reading official archives that had remained secret. The report shows that President Mitterrand and his closest advisers knew that genocide against Tutsi was being planned by their allies in Rwanda. Despite that knowledge, the president decided to continue supporting them, because he believed this was necessary for France’s geopolitical position. Rwandan lives were just pawns in geopolitical games,” he said.
“We welcome this report because it marks an important step toward a common understanding of what took place. It also marks a change, it shows the desire, even for leaders in France, to move forward with a good understanding of what happened, and we welcome this. We welcome this. We are going to have the report presented to us. I have been informed about it. It is a good thing,” added Kagame.
The President emphasized that Rwanda will, in the near future, release its findings going in the same direction with findings from Duclert report.
“Rwanda will also have a word to say in the near future, maybe around the third week of this month. The findings we have in our hands, based on the work that has been done by people who were commissioned to do that in parallel to what was being done in France — the findings go in the same direction. The important thing is to continue working together to document the truth. This is the truth,” he noted.
In November last year, Macron announced plan for a visit to Rwanda in 2021, aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations.
“First of all, I am planning for visits to Angola and South Africa that had been suspended due to health conditions. I am hopeful that I will be able to make the visits within few weeks ahead and later visit Rwanda in 2021,” he told Jeune Afrique.
The date and month for the visit have not yet been confirmed but it is reported that the situation will depend on the status of COVID-19 pandemic.
Macron’s visit to Rwanda is expected before 18th May 2021 because France plans to host France-Africa investment summit in which over ten African head of states are invited.
In 2019, Macron was invited to Rwanda to attend the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. At the time, Macron sent the delegation of France parliamentarians including Sira Sylla and the French Rwandan born Member of Parliament, Herve Berville.
In May 2018, President Paul Kagame invited Macron as he attended Viva Technology Summit that brought together CEOs of different technology start-up companies and potential innovators in Paris, France.
Macron was again invited in October 2018 after the General Assembly of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).
At the time, Kagame told RFI and France 24 that Macron was invited to visit Rwanda since he took office in May 2017.
Rwanda, France relations have been on good progress since Macron took office in 2017.
The latter has demonstrated willingness to change France, Africa foreign policy and building strong relations with partners unlike his predecessor, François Hollande.
President Kagame recently told Jeune Afrique that there has been progress to both countries’ relations since Macron was elected in comparison with the past.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
If he comes to Rwanda, Macron will be the second French president landing in the country of thousand hills after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the only France president who visited Rwanda on 25th February 2010 following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The suspects include one Emmanuel Nzayisenga, 25, who was arrested red-handed in Murambo, Miyove Cell of Miyove Sector, Gicumbi District with 28kgs of cannabis.
Two others; Bizibu Cyiza, 40, and Jeannette Mukabutera, 48, were arrested in Kigarama Village, Kigabiro Cell of Nyabitekeri Sector in Nyamasheke District with 1,073 pellets of cannabis.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Minani, the District Police Commander for Gicumbi, said Nzayisenga was arrested in partnership with other security organs and local leaders.
“On Wednesday, at around 11pm, while security organs were conducting a night patrol, they stopped two people, who were traveling on a motorcycle plate number RD 689A and carrying two bundles. One of them who was later identified as Mukiza got off the motorcycle and run away but Nzayisenga was apprehended.
When security organs checked, they realized the two bundles contained pellets of cannabis weighing 28kgs,” SP Minani said.
Nzayisenga, the DPC added, also had pellets of cannabis wrapped around his thighs and covered with a trouser.
Upon his arrest, Nzayisenga, who hails from Rukozo Sector in Rulindo District, disclosed that he left to Uganda on April 4, through a porous border to bring a new consignment of narcotics.
He further narrated that he was making one trip to Uganda every week to bring the narcotics.
According to Nzayisenga, he had other people in Rulindo, who were facilitating him in distribution.
In Nyamasheke District, Cyiza and Mukabutera were arrested on the shores of Lake Kivu with the 1,073 pellets of cannabis.
Cyaza had just delivered the narcotics to Mukabutera after sneaking them across into Rwanda from DRC, by boat through Lake Kivu.
Police had acted on credible information that Mukabutera would meet her supplier Cyiza on the shores, before trailing her and arresting them red handed.
Article 3 of the Ministerial order nº 001/MoHo/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation, classifies cannabis among the “very severe narcotics.”
Article 263 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, provides a sentence of between 20 years and life in prison for anyone convicted of dealing in “very severe narcotic drugs” and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The majority of new cases were found in Nyaruguru: 27, Kigali: 20 and Nyamagabe: 20.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 23260 people have been tested positive of whom 20 991 have recovered, 1955 are active cases, 6 are critically ill while 314 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 348,926 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
