In a statement issued on June 2, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Col Sirkoof had been designated for sanctions as the head of the FDLR’s Commando de Recherche et d’Action en Profondeur (CRAP), an intelligence and special operations unit.
According to the Treasury Department, Col Sirkoof also led an FDLR operational command structure in North Kivu’s Nyiragongo Territory that was established in 2022 after M23 offensives forced FDLR fighters to disperse geographically.
The FDLR armed group was formed by remnants of the former Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist militias that fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The United States said the FDLR group has carried out ethnically motivated violence against civilians, recruited child soldiers, committed conflict-related sexual violence, and cross-border attacks that continue to threaten Rwanda’s security.
Washington said the group finances its activities through looting civilians, imposing unlawful taxes, kidnapping people for ransom, illegal logging in Virunga National Park, and other illicit activities.
The U.S. government further stated that the FDLR has received support from local militias and units of the Congolese army despite a government ban on cooperation with the group.
The FDLR was first sanctioned by the United States on January 3, 2013, for serious violations of international law involving children in armed conflict, including killings, sexual violence, abductions, and forced displacement.
The Treasury Department said Col Sirkoof was sanctioned for being a leader of the FDLR, an entity already subject to U.S. sanctions.
In the same announcement, the United States also imposed sanctions on John Imani Nzenze, the intelligence chief of the M23 rebel group. U.S. authorities said Nzenze is a senior M23 commander and a close associate of the group’s military leader, Gen Sultani Makenga.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are part of broader efforts by the United States to support peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Persistent violence by armed groups is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis and presents a threat to U.S. interests in the region,” Bessent said. “Today’s sanctions support a peaceful resolution and end to the bloodshed.”
As a result of the sanctions, any property or interests in property belonging to the designated individuals that are within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked. U.S. persons are also generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving them.
The United States said the FDLR group has carried out ethnically motivated violence against civilians, recruited child soldiers, committed conflict-related sexual violence, and cross-border attacks that continue to threaten Rwanda’s security.
The ceremony comes as Rwanda continues the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, a period marked by remembrance, reflection, and renewed commitments to preserving the memory of more than one million lives lost during the 100-day genocide.
The unveiling will bring together senior government officials from Rwanda and France, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, researchers, and other distinguished guests.
The monument, titled Les Archives, was commissioned by the French State in partnership with the City of Paris and Ibuka France. It was created by Portuguese-born artist Grada Kilomba and is intended to serve as a permanent place of remembrance and reflection.
Located along the Esplanade Habib-Bourguiba in the heart of Paris, Les Archives consists of two large-scale rectangular structures designed to honour the victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi and provide a space for contemplation and tribute.
Following the ceremony, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame will attend a dinner at the Palais de l’Élysée hosted by President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The unveiling of Les Archives is expected to stand as a lasting symbol of remembrance in one of Europe’s most prominent capitals, ensuring that the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi continues to endure for generations to come.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame are in Paris, France, where they will join French President Emmanuel Macron for the unveiling of a monument honouring the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.The monument, titled Les Archives, was commissioned by the French State in partnership with the City of Paris and Ibuka France. It was created by Portuguese-born artist Grada Kilomba and is intended to serve as a permanent place of remembrance and reflection.
The announcement marks the official confirmation from Maputo following concerns over the future financing of the mission after the European Union signalled reluctance to continue supporting the deployment through the European Peace Facility (EPF).
Speaking to reporters in Maputo on Friday, government spokesperson and Minister of State Administration Inocêncio Impissa said the presence of Rwandan troops remains essential as Mozambique continues to strengthen its own security capabilities.
“I do not know the costs or how long they will stay, but the agreements will strictly clarify this matter in the near future, but having this reinforcement allows us to continue to build our country’s capacity,” Impissa said.
He added that the continued support of Rwandan forces gives Mozambique time to reorganise and modernise its armed forces.
“This gives us time to continue reorganising our forces in terms of capacity, equipment, and technology, among others, while we also benefit from the support of friendly forces who secure the region,” he said.
Rwandan forces were deployed to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of the Mozambican government to help contain an Islamist insurgency that has plagued the province since 2017. Their intervention has been widely credited with helping recapture key towns, restoring stability in strategic districts such as Palma and Mocímboa da Praia, and enabling displaced residents to return home.
The confirmation from Maputo follows remarks made in March by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, who said the Government of Mozambique had committed to directly financing the mission after some European Union member states became reluctant to continue funding support.
“Rwanda came back to the basics and decided to deal exclusively with the Government of Mozambique,” Nduhungirehe said at the time, stressing that the partnership between Kigali and Maputo remained strong and effective.
He noted that the mission had delivered significant results over the past several years, including improved security, the reopening of businesses and schools, and the return of displaced families.
Nduhungirehe also argued that the intervention created the conditions necessary for major international energy investments to resume, including an estimated $50 billion in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects led by European and American companies.
The EU has provided approximately €20 million in support for the Rwandan deployment through the EPF. However, Kigali has consistently maintained that the contribution covered only a fraction of the actual costs incurred by Rwanda, which it says has spent at least ten times more on the mission.
The funding question gained prominence after Rwandan authorities warned earlier this year that the deployment could be reconsidered if sustainable financing was not secured.
In August last year, Rwanda and Mozambique renewed their Status of Forces Agreement on Support to the Fight Against Terrorism during a visit by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo to Kigali. The agreement extended Rwanda’s military support in Cabo Delgado, with Chapo praising the partnership for helping restore peace in the region.
The security gains achieved by Mozambican and Rwandan forces have also helped revive confidence in Cabo Delgado’s economic prospects. The insurgency had forced French energy giant TotalEnergies to suspend construction of its LNG project and declare force majeure in 2021. Following improvements in security, the company lifted the declaration and, in January this year, agreed with the Mozambican government to resume construction activities.
As Mozambique continues efforts to build the capacity of its own security forces, officials say the presence of Rwandan troops remains a critical component of maintaining stability and preventing a resurgence of insurgent activity in Cabo Delgado.
The Mozambican government has confirmed that it will secure the necessary funding to ensure the continued deployment of Rwandan security forces in Cabo Delgado, reinforcing a security partnership that has played a key role in combating insurgency in the country’s northern region.
“The Russian Embassy in France has demanded that Paris provide full details of the circumstances surrounding the detention and is taking comprehensive steps to protect the Russian nationals among the crew,” she said, calling the detention another example of European legal nihilism and the rewriting of international legal norms to suit themselves.
The French authorities misinterpreted Article 110 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which allows a warship to inspect a foreign ship in international waters if it is stateless, but does not authorize its escort to the port of the warship’s state, she said.
On May 31, a French warship stopped Tagor 400 km from the French coastline in international waters, alleging that the vessel was sailing from Russia’s Murmansk under a false flag.
France’s actions in detaining the Russian vessel Tagor violate international law, and Moscow demands that Paris provide full information about its move, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday.
In a statement following the publication of the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on June 1, Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda respects the tribunal’s decision and considers the matter closed.
“While Rwanda respects the Tribunal’s award and considers the matter concluded, we note that the dissenting and separate opinion by Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab shows that the issues before the Tribunal were complex and open to different legal conclusions, including that the November 2024 exchanges relied on by the UK did not validly change the financial arrangements between the two countries,” Makolo said.
She added that Rwanda would continue to engage constructively with international partners in accordance with international norms and the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The arbitration stemmed from a dispute over the Asylum Partnership Agreement signed between Rwanda and the United Kingdom. Rwanda argued that the UK had failed to honour financial and other obligations after the new British government abandoned the migration partnership in 2024.
At the heart of the dispute was Rwanda’s position that it remained entitled to a £50 million payment due in April 2025 under financial arrangements agreed between the two countries in June 2024. Rwanda also sought compensation related to other obligations under the agreement.
However, in an award issued on May 15, 2026, the three-member tribunal rejected Rwanda’s claims. By majority, the tribunal dismissed Rwanda’s request for the £50 million Year 2 payment, while unanimously rejecting claims relating to Year 3 funding, alleged breaches of Articles 18 and 19 of the agreement, and requests for compensation. The tribunal also ruled that each party should bear its own legal costs and share arbitration expenses equally.
Yet the decision was not unanimous on every point.
Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, one of the tribunal’s members, issued a
dissenting and separate opinion arguing that Rwanda’s central claim regarding the Year 2 payment should have succeeded.
According to Abdel Wahab, the November 2024 diplomatic exchanges cited by the UK did not constitute a legally binding amendment to the financial arrangements because the mutual consent required under international treaty law was absent. He concluded that the £50 million payment for Year 2 “remains due and payable to Rwanda.”
The dissent has attracted attention because it underscores that the dispute involved contested legal interpretations rather than a straightforward rejection of Rwanda’s position.
The tribunal’s findings contrast with arguments presented by Rwanda during hearings held at the Peace Palace in The Hague in March.
Appearing before the tribunal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja argued that Rwanda had fulfilled its obligations under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) and had acted in good faith throughout the process.
Rwanda maintained that it undertook significant legal and institutional reforms to implement the agreement, including constitutional amendments, new legislation, the establishment of an appeals mechanism, and the development of reception facilities for migrants and asylum seekers.
The government also stressed Rwanda’s broader record on refugee protection. During the hearings, Dr. Ugirashebuja highlighted that Rwanda hosts more than 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers and has welcomed displaced people from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Afghanistan, Libya and Sudan.
He argued that Rwanda’s approach is rooted in its own history of displacement and a belief that refugees can contribute economically and socially when given opportunities for integration.
Rwanda further contended that the UK failed to properly honour commitments made under the partnership after the election of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which quickly moved to abandon the controversial “Rwanda scheme.”
Rwanda has acknowledged an international arbitration ruling that rejected its claims against the United Kingdom over their abandoned asylum partnership, while emphasising that a dissenting opinion from one of the tribunal’s arbitrators demonstrates that Kigali’s position rested on credible legal foundations.The Migration and Economic Development Partnership between Rwanda and UK had been signed in April 2022, before unilateral cancellation.
Mutayomba, who operates within the FDLR’s Nyatura faction in North Kivu, was injured during intense clashes around Rubaya, a strategically important mining area that has repeatedly been the scene of heavy fighting between AFC/M23, Congolese government forces, and allied armed groups.
Initial reports had indicated that the commander had been killed, but subsequent information confirmed that he survived and was evacuated to Kinshasa, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the fighting remain fluid, but Rubaya has become a focal point of military operations in recent months due to its mineral wealth and strategic location. The area has seen escalating violence involving multiple armed actors competing for control.
Mutayomba is said to have played a key role in operations targeting Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo, accusations that have long been associated with FDLR-linked activities in the region.
The FDLR, formed by individuals linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has operated in eastern DR Congo for decades. It has repeatedly been accused of cross-border attacks into Rwanda and of promoting anti-Tutsi ideology and violence in the region.
Reports further indicate that Mutayomba is a Rwandan national who fled to DR Congo after the genocide and later rose through the ranks of armed groups active in North Kivu. His brother, Nzima, who reportedly fought alongside him, was killed earlier in January 2025.
Reacting to the reports, North Kivu Vice Governor Willy Manzi described Mutayomba as a commander whose activities had caused widespread suffering. He accused him of overseeing killings, looting, and destruction of property in Masisi, including the burning of villages and displacement of civilians.
“Mutayomba’s legacy is one of destruction. He killed civilians, looted communities, slaughtered livestock belonging to the people of Masisi, and reduced homes and entire villages to ashes,” Manzi wrote in a post on X, on Sunday.
Manzi also criticized what he called the continued protection and support allegedly extended to the militia leader, adding that Mutayomba was not a trained military officer but had risen from mining areas to become a self-styled commander within the FDLR structure.
Mutayomba (centre), who operates within the FDLR’s Nyatura faction in North Kivu, was injured during intense clashes around Rubaya.
The visit formed part of commemorations marking the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi. It offered participants a detailed educational tour on the history of the 1994 tragedy, from its origins to its aftermath and Rwanda’s recovery journey.
During the guided tour, members were taken through key historical elements, including the colonial roots that contributed to divisions, the role of propaganda and hate media such as Kangura newspaper and Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), and the systematic planning and execution of the genocide.
Participants also watched a short film featuring survivor testimonies that highlighted the human impact of the atrocities. The tour further examined the role of Gacaca courts in post-genocide justice, reconciliation, and the foundation of national healing.
The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed the lives of more than one million people in just 100 days before it was halted by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA).
At the memorial, visitors paid their respects by laying wreaths at mass graves where over 250,000 victims are buried.
Speaking after the visit, members of the Indian Association of Rwanda reflected on the lessons drawn from the visit, stressing the importance of remembrance and global prevention of atrocities.
Mukri Hussain, Vice Chairperson of the Indian Association of Rwanda, said the experience carried a strong message of humanity.
“What happened here is really against humanity, and it should never happen again. That is the main lesson we have learned, not only for Rwanda, but for the entire world. Such events should never happen anywhere in the world,” he stated.
He noted that for many members, Rwanda has become a second home due to the country’s transformation over the years.
Namita Machchhar, an executive member of the association, said the visit strengthened their responsibility as residents of Rwanda to learn from history and contribute to preventing similar tragedies.
“As residents of this country, we strongly believe in brotherhood and sisterhood. It is our duty to take initiatives to prevent such tragedies,” she quipped, adding that “saving one life is like saving the entire universe.”
She also commended Rwanda’s progress and leadership led by President Paul Kagame, describing the country’s development journey as remarkable.
Jagan PK, a founding member and former treasurer of the association who lived in Rwanda before and during the 1994 genocide, noted that his experience reinforced the need for global vigilance.
“Such things should never happen to mankind. Never again,” he stressed, recalling the painful events he witnessed and Rwanda’s subsequent recovery.
He described Rwanda’s transformation as a “tremendous success story,” noting that the country has become a respected example of resilience and rebuilding.
Jwala Vijay Kumar, General Secretary of INAR, also reflected on the importance of remembrance and collective responsibility, saying, “We must always remember and learn from history to ensure it is never repeated.”
Dr. Saurabh Singhal, an executive committee member, said it is a “solemn duty” of the Indian community to stand with Rwandans in honouring the victims.
“This memorial stands as a powerful tribute, not only to the intense tragedies of the past, but to the extraordinary resilience and dignity of the Rwandan people,” he remarked.
The visit formed part of commemorations marking the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi.The visit offered participants a detailed educational tour on the history of the 1994 tragedy, from its origins to its aftermath and Rwanda’s recovery journey.Participants also watched a short film featuring survivor testimonies that highlighted the human impact of the atrocities.Mukri Hussain, Vice Chairperson of the Indian Association of Rwanda, said the experience carried a strong message of humanity.At the memorial, the Indian association members paid their respects by laying wreaths at mass graves where over 250,000 victims are buried.Jagan PK, a founding member and former treasurer of the association who lived in Rwanda before and during the 1994 genocide, noted that his experience reinforced the need for global vigilance.Dr. Saurabh Singhal, an executive committee member, said it is a “solemn duty” of the Indian community to stand with Rwandans in honouring the victims.Namita Machchhar, an executive member of the association, said the visit strengthened their responsibility as residents of Rwanda to learn from history and contribute to preventing similar tragedies.
Paris Saint-Germain secured the title after a dramatic final against Arsenal in Budapest, where the French side triumphed in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested match that ended level after normal time. The victory sealed PSG’s second Champions League crown and sparked celebrations across France.
According to the French interior ministry, a total of 416 people were detained nationwide on Saturday night, including 283 in Paris, as tens of thousands of supporters flooded streets to mark PSG’s dramatic win.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the unrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” confirming that seven police officers were wounded during clashes that broke out in several parts of the capital. Six vehicles and two businesses were also damaged.
Police scrambled to contain the large crowd at the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue.
A heavy police presence of around 22,000 officers was deployed across France, including 8,000 in Paris, amid fears of a repeat of last year’s disorder. Authorities moved to shut down tram lines, close metro stations and restrict bus services in central Paris in an effort to contain crowds.
Despite the measures, around 20,000 fans gathered on the Champs-Élysées, where flares were lit and traffic was disrupted. Police said two dozen flares and around 100 fireworks were seized, while a bus shelter near the avenue was destroyed.
Smaller groups of supporters also caused disturbances near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where tens of thousands had gathered to watch the match on big screens. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people outside the stadium were involved in confrontations with police, with projectiles thrown at officers. Tear gas was used after fireworks were launched in their direction.
A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026 after Champions League final soccer match between PSG and Arsenal.
Police said about 150 individuals attempted to force entry through one of the stadium gates, while others tried to build barricades using rental bicycles, which were later dismantled.
In central Paris, a group briefly blocked the ring road, the périphérique, while scattered incidents of vandalism were reported, including damage to a bakery and restaurant. Authorities also said some individuals attempted to storm a police station in the 8th arrondissement before being dispersed.
The unrest came as celebrations across the city coincided with other major events, including concerts and the French Open tennis tournament, adding pressure on security services.
Far-right political figures criticised the violence, with Marine Le Pen claiming on social media that “only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots.”
Despite the clashes, city officials confirmed that PSG players are expected to hold a victory parade on Sunday at the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to attend before a reception at the Élysée Palace hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
Paris Saint-Germain secured the title after a dramatic final against Arsenal in Budapest, where the French side triumphed in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested match that ended level after normal time.
The commissioning ceremony took place on 27 May 2026 at the Gishari Police Training School (PTS Gishari), coinciding with celebrations marking 25 years of the Rwanda National Police, under a theme centred on partnership in delivering security.
The event brought together President Kagame, families of the graduating officers, senior government officials, and other invited guests.
A total of 436 trainees successfully completed their training at PTS Gishari, including 109 women and 327 men. The cohort comprised both newly recruited officers and serving personnel who underwent professional upgrading. It also included nine trainees from Seychelles.
Following commissioning, the officers will be deployed across various specialized policing units, including traffic and road safety, information and communication technology, medical services, marine policing, as well as fire and rescue services.
Others will join specialized departments such as the canine (K9) unit, engineering services, vehicle inspection and standards, human resources and administration, financial management, and other operational and support divisions.
The officers underwent intensive professional training designed to prepare them for operational policing duties. Their curriculum included drill exercises, firearms handling, tactical response training, and other core competencies required for modern policing.
PTS Gishari, located in Rwamagana District, is a modern training institution equipped with administrative offices, accommodation facilities, classrooms, medical services, and extensive outdoor training grounds used for both physical and tactical exercises.
Speaking on the occasion marking 25 years of the Rwanda National Police, spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said the institution has evolved into a citizen-centred service built on close cooperation with the public.
He noted that the police service was formed following the merger of three former security institutions: the Gendarmerie Nationale, the Communal Police, and the Judicial Police. The integration, he said, created a unified and professional force focused on serving citizens without discrimination and strengthening community-based policing.
The commandant of PTS Gishari, CP Robert Niyonshuti, said the trainees began their course on 15 July 2025 and came from diverse backgrounds, including university graduates, civilians, personnel from national security institutions, and officers trained abroad in countries such as Singapore and Egypt.
He emphasized that the training programme was designed to equip officers with the skills required to effectively maintain law and order and deliver professional policing services.
Outstanding performers were also recognized during the ceremony. Nicolette Maria from Seychelles was commended for exemplary discipline and performance throughout the training period.
Three other trainees were recognized for exceptional performance in practical exercises, led by Boas Castro, who received a medal from President Kagame, followed by Isaie Kayiranga and Chantal Mureshya.
25 years of Rwanda National Police
Following the liberation of Rwanda by the RPA on 4 July 1994, the country initially operated separate security institutions working alongside the military to maintain public order and safety.
These included the Gendarmerie Nationale under the Ministry of Defence, the Communal Police under the Ministry of Local Government, and Judicial Police Inspectors under the Ministry of Justice.
In 2000, the Government of Rwanda merged these institutions into a single, unified national police service to improve coordination and professionalize policing. This led to the establishment of the Rwanda National Police.
Since then, the institution has been guided by core values including professionalism, patriotism, integrity, and discipline, with a focus on maintaining law and order in partnership with citizens.
Over time, the police service has expanded its operations beyond traditional policing by integrating technology and strengthening community policing approaches, where officers work closely with citizens to prevent and respond to crime.
Since 2005, the Rwanda National Police has also contributed to international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, deploying officers as Formed Police Units and Individual Police Officers in various missions globally.
The institution currently operates three main training facilities: PTS Gishari, the Counter-Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, and the National Police College, all aimed at enhancing professional capacity and operational readiness.
These achievements have been made possible through strong partnerships with citizens, government institutions, private sector actors, and international partners, enabling the police service to respond effectively to evolving security challenges driven by globalization and technological advancement.
President Paul Kagame commissioned 436 newly trained officers into the Rwanda National Police and formally conferred upon them the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP).The ceremony coincided with celebrations marking 25 years of the Rwanda National Police, under a theme centred on partnership in delivering security.
Esther Mugabekazi, who identifies herself as Byansi’s biological sister, has publicly accused him of forging academic credentials, misrepresenting his educational history, and engaging in theft-related crimes during a period he spent in Uganda.
Speaking in an interview with Igicaniro TV, Mugabekazi explained that she decided to break her silence after becoming increasingly alarmed by her brother’s sustained criticism of Rwanda and its leadership.
Family background and early life
Mugabekazi stated that Byansi was born Sam Kama but later adopted their father’s names, Samuel Baker Byansi, as his public identity.
“Byansi Samuel Baker is our father’s name. Sam’s real name is Sam Kama, which is the name our parents gave him. In our family, boys are called Kama while girls are called Kawama,” she explained.
She described the family as one of nine children, raised in Nyagatare District by parents who were both teachers and strongly prioritised education.
“We were fortunate to have teacher parents. Both our father and mother were teachers. We grew up speaking English at home, and our father ensured we attended good schools,” she recalled.
The siblings attended primary school at Hillside School in Matimba Sector, Nyagatare District.
For secondary education, Byansi joined Kagarama Secondary School while Mugabekazi studied in Rushaki. She claims he was later expelled from Kagarama over misconduct before joining her at Rushaki.
“He was involved in disciplinary issues and was expelled. He later came to study with me in Rushaki, where we completed lower secondary school together. Those are the only schools Sam attended,” she noted.
Uganda years and imprisonment
Mugabekazi further alleged that Byansi did not proceed to upper secondary school or university, but instead left for Uganda after completing lower secondary education.
According to her account, while in Uganda he became involved in theft-related activities and was sentenced to four years in prison.
“After finishing school, he went to Uganda and stayed with our older sibling from our father’s other family. While there, he got involved in theft, was arrested, and imprisoned for four years. He never returned to school,” she said.
She added that he was later released after developing health complications while in detention, prompting authorities to contact their father.
Allegations of forged academic credentials
Following his return to Rwanda, Mugabekazi alleges that Byansi did not resume his studies but instead obtained forged academic documents claiming he had completed university education abroad.
“He later looked for ways to forge academic papers. That’s also when he changed his name. He then created a media card and started presenting himself as someone running an investigative media outlet,” she claimed.
She recalled confronting him after seeing him appear in the media despite lacking formal qualifications.
“I asked him, ‘How did you manage this without any qualifications?’ He replied, ‘I found my own way.’ When I later saw the documents, I told him, ‘You have destroyed your future,’” she recounted.
Mugabekazi further alleged that by the time she was completing upper secondary school, her brother already possessed documents indicating he had graduated from university.
After working with several media outlets in Rwanda, Byansi went on to establish his own platform, M28 Investigates, in 2019.
Move to Europe and family concerns
In 2022, Byansi married Uwase Joselyne, and the couple later had their first child.
Mugabekazi disclosed that her brother later informed her he was travelling to the Netherlands for studies, a claim she questioned due to concerns about his academic background.
“I asked him, ‘What exactly are you going to study?’ He said he was advancing knowledge in his chosen field. I then asked whether he was resuming from where he had stopped school or continuing with forged papers,” she recounted.
According to her, he declined to discuss the matter further.
“He told me he did not want to talk about it and would eventually return because he had left behind a wife and child,” she added.
Mugabekazi further alleged that things deteriorated after his arrival in the Netherlands, where he reportedly failed to secure legal documentation for study and residence.
She also claimed that he later formed a relationship with a Dutch woman before eventually relocating to Belgium, where he now reportedly lives with his wife and child, while the Dutch woman remained in the Netherlands.
Criticism of Rwanda and family reaction
Since relocating to Europe, Byansi has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Rwanda and its leadership and has collaborated with individuals opposed to the government.
Mugabekazi maintained that the family was not surprised by his actions, describing them as consistent with what she characterised as a long-standing pattern of dishonesty.
Among her allegations, she claimed that Byansi had at different times falsely stated that their mother had died, and on other occasions claimed she had been killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, despite her still being alive.
“I knew all along that he was lying,” she asserted.
She emphasised that the family has been deeply hurt by his statements and public positions.
“This country raised us, fed us, and gave us a foundation. It also gave him opportunities that made him known. It is painful to see him speak against it,” she lamented.
Mugabekazi revealed that she once warned her brother that she would speak publicly if he continued on what she described as an anti-Rwanda path.
“I told him that if he did not change, I would tell the truth about who he really is. He told me I would no longer be his sister,” she revealed.
She concluded with a message directed at her brother:
“My advice to him is to remember the values our parents taught us. Their goal was never to destroy the country, not even for a single day.”
Samuel Baker Byansi, a former Rwandan media figure, is among the individuals who have taken a path of criticising Rwanda’s government and its leaders, something many observers believe is driven by personal interests and gain. He is now facing serious allegations from his sister regarding his background, education, and past conduct.
