The court’s ruling read on 20th September 2021 convicted Rusesabagina of terrorism charges and handed him 25-year jail term while Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
The remaining nineteen co-accused individuals were sentenced from three to 20 years.
Following the ruling, the accused, plaintiffs and the Prosecution were given 30 days for appeal.
So far, the Prosecution has announced that it was unsatisfied with the court’s judgment and filed an appeal against the entire process in which the case was handled.
The judiciary spokesperson, Harrison Mutabazi has told IGIHE that 13 of convicts and 74 survivors of FLN attacks who sought compensation expressed satisfaction with the judgment separately and filed an appeal.
During trial proceedings, 94 survivors of the attacks sought over Rwf1 billion but the court resolved that few of them would get compensated and the amount was below demanded compensation.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Rusesabagina did not appeal against the ruling. He had boycotted the court during trial proceedings citing zero expectation of fair trial.
The convicts faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when MRDC/FLN combatants plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
The deportees including young men in the age bracket between 18 and 23 arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday 20th October 2021 through Kagitumba One Stop Border Post.
Their deportation follows series of circumstances under which Ugandan officials have been dumping Rwandans at borders following days of torture in detention facilities accused of being spies yet they had traveled to Uganda to run businesses or visit relatives among other reasons.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
The court handed 25-year sentence to Rusesabagina and 20-year jail term to Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group after they were found guilty of terrorism charges.
The terror group which they headed plotted different attacks to Rwanda in 2018, which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province. They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
Faustin Nkusi, the Spokesperson of NPPA has told IGIHE that they have appealed against the court’s judgment.
“We have appealed against the entire process of the court case. Further details will be revealed in court,” he said.
As the court read the ruling last month, Rusesabagina, 67, was convicted for membership of terrorist group and complicity in terrorism acts.
He was however acquitted of the crime of forming an irregular armed group.
Callixte Nsabimana a.k Sankara was sentenced to 20 years for being part of a terrorist group and denying the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Other MRCD-FLN combatants accused along with Rusesabagina and Sankara were handed different punishments from three to 20-year jail term.
Following the ruling, people whose relatives lost lives during attacks plotted by the terror group said that they were unsatisfied with the ruling.
Approved leaders were appointed by the cabinet meeting held recently on 13th October 2021.
The senate made the approval after assessing their dossiers and establishing that they meet requirements to assume assigned duties.
The report of the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance indicates that Kamuhire pledged to draw attention to efficient public funds management, overseeing social protection programs and preventive controls.
Meanwhile, the senatorial Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights which assessed files of Umutoni also indicates that the latter plans to work with parents to bring up children properly and collaborate with the judiciary to bring defilement suspects to book .
Kamuhire became the Auditor General replacing Obadiah Biraro who had held the position since June 2011. The cabinet meeting held in 2016, extended his office term for more five years prior to his replacement.
The new Director General of NCD, Umutoni previously served as Kigali City vice mayor in charge of socio-economic affairs.
The Senate has the powers to approve the appointment of senior public officials. These include the President, the Vice President and the Judges of the Supreme Court, the President and Vice President of the High Court and of the Commercial High Court, the Prosecutor General, Deputy Prosecutor General, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, heads of statutory agencies, among others.
Francis Ngabo, the CEO of RSA has explained that filings with the ITU are essential to register satellite frequencies and orbital slots, and to secure the possibility of future satellite launches.
“This process is consistent with the ambition of the Government of Rwanda to make space a new frontier for our national development. With the technology now available to make full use of these slots, Rwanda plans to develop projects that will provide various essential services and open up the country as a hub for the African space industry,” he said.
The space industry is worth over $400bn, and the satellite industry, which represents 74% of the total space economy, is a particularly important area.
Rwanda continues to work to provide a secure and stable environment for investment by improving infrastructure, technology, and education, and creating conducive regulatory and taxation frameworks. The space sector holds enormous potential for Rwanda, and the Rwanda Space Agency looks forward to developing this area in the coming years.
While the development of the Rwandan space sector is still in its early stages, RSA has through a statement released yesterday emphasized that the ITU filing marks an exciting step in the ongoing efforts. Progress towards RSA’s goals will be achieved in collaboration with national, regional, and international partners, and with the full co-operation of the ITU and its members.
Further details on the space agency’s plans, and on the future of these constellations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
As RDF explained, the soldier crossed from the side of Bugeshi sector in Rubavu district.
The statement released on Tuesday 19th October reads that RDF continues to maintain good relations with Congolese army, FARDC.
“On 18th Oct 2021, Rwanda security forces pursued smugglers who crossed the Rwanda-DRC border at Hehu Cell, Bugeshi Sector, Rubavu District. Rwandan law enforcement forces unintentionally crossed a few meters into the DRC while pursuing the smugglers who were carrying unidentified packages and believed to have been armed. The RDF and FARDC maintain good relations and continue to collaborate on security matters,” reads the statement.
The signing parties will work together with the aim to support Rwanda in further developing the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), ranked 5th in Africa by the Global Financial Centre Index, considering the universally recognized expertise of Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ndagijimana said that Rwanda established the Kigali International Financial Centre four years ago to increase the value addition of the financial services in the Rwandan economy and to make Rwanda an attractive investment destination, with opportunities to expand investments from Rwanda to Africa and beyond.
He highlighted that signed agreement tare meant to support Rwanda’s ambitions to become a financial hub.
“The partnership milestone that we’ve just signed will support our ambition of becoming a preferred Pan-African International Financial Centre which is in line with our aspiration of becoming a middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050,” he said.
The Luxembourgish Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Franz Fayot pointed out the signing of the memorandum begins a new chapter in both countries’ relations.
“Rwanda’s interest in sustainable finance and fintech reflects our priorities too. It is important that we build together and channel more finance in development cooperation, combating climate change and other areas that require financing,” he noted.
The implementing agencies are Rwanda Finance Limited, the agency tasked with developing Kigali International Financial Centre and Lux-Development S.A., Luxembourg’s development cooperation agency.
Strategic areas of cooperation are defined within the agreement, and these are: capacity building and talent development; development of sustainable finance in Rwanda; enabling a fintech ecosystem in Rwanda; and setting up a marketplace for impact investing in Rwanda.
Nick Barigye, the CEO of Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL), the agency mandated to promote the KIFC stressed that becoming a preferred centre for international investments in Africa requires strategic partnerships and welcomed the opportunity to draw on the expertise of Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem, to further develop Kigali International Financial Centre’s niche areas in sustainable finance and fintech.
“Upskilling financial sector professionals to efficiently serve global investors and financial institutions is a key feature of an attractive financial services hub and one of the pillars KIFC is looking to strengthen, through our cooperation with Luxembourg,” he said.
The captives handover ceremony took place on Tuesday 19th October at at Nemba One Stop Border Post separating Rwanda and Burundi in Bugesera district, Eastern Province through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
Burundi was represented by the Chief of Military Intelligence, Col Ernest Musaba while Rwanda was represented by the Head Defence Intelligence, Brig Gen Vincent Nyakarundi.
The ceremony was witnessed by ICGLR, AU and UN representatives and facilitated by the EJVM.
The EJVM Deputy Commander, Col Khalid. M Ahmed said the initiative is a sign of renewed friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
‘’It is my hope that this gesture will go a long with cementing bilateral and diplomatic ties between Burundi and Rwanda, the two ICGLR member states and is a sign of renewed friendship and cooperation between them,’’ he noted.
Both sides, Burundi and Rwandan Heads of Military and Defence Intelligence said that they were delighted with the current efforts and collaboration aimed at contributing to normalisation of bilateral relations between the two countries and that more needs to be done in this direction.
The deportation follows recent events where Burundi and Rwanda have been exchanging criminals arrested in each of the two countries since July 2021.
Initially, Rwanda repatriated over 19 of RED-Tabara to Burundi. They had been arrested in Nyungwe National Park last year. RED-Tabara is an armed group hostile to the Burundian government.
On 6th August 2021, Burundi also sent home seven Rwandans arrested after illegally crossing to the country. The handover of these Rwandans took place in Remera cell, Ruheru sector of Nyaruguru district, Southern Province.
In the same month, Rwanda deported two Burundian men suspected of theft crimes committed at home land.
Since 2018, FLN rebel group plotted attacks in the Southern and Western Provinces maneuvering through Burundi.
Even though Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) repulsed the attacks, strong collaboration is paramount between the two neighboring countries to tighten security and work together for mutual benefits.
The exchange of criminals is considered a great milestone in the process of restoring both countries’ relations that worsened since 2015.
In 2015, a group of Burundian soldiers attempted to overthrow the then President Pierre Nkurunziza but the plan was nullified. Since then, Burundi has been accusing Rwanda of accommodating suspects behind the failed coup plot.
Rwanda has however been insisting that the individuals are considered as refugees who must be protected against deportation by international laws and accused Burundi of supporting rebel groups intending to destabilize national security.
The political mishap later halted cooperation and free movements between both countries.
Despite misunderstandings and long period of political tensions that ruined both countries’ relations, the situation is gradually improving and promising to bring the situation back to normal.
His arrest was announced on 31st August 2020, forty five days after Rusesabagina appeared in discussions with allies of his political party dubbed Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD) to give details on the rationale behind its creation.
Rusesabagina, 67, was paraded before the media, two days after he was arrested in Rwanda where he arrived tricked by his friend Bishop Constantin Niyomwungere who had lied to him that they were heading to Burundi to engage with different church leaders as they boarded a private jet.
Rusesabagina had last seen Rwanda in 2004 prior to his arrest.
As he was paraded before the media, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) explained that Rusesabagina faced different charges including terrorism.
He was arrested following enough evidences proving his implication in the creation of National Liberation Front (FLN) rebel group; including details disclosed during discussions with allies before his arrest. Appearing in court, he also admitted to have sponsored the armed group with contribution worth Euro 20,000.
During interrogation at RIB, the man had revealed that he was not sure of the exact amount contributed but admitted to have provided approximately Euro 300,000 to support the rebel group which plotted attacks that claimed lives of innocent civilians and destroyed several properties in Southern Province.
His direct involvement in the activities of FLN is no brainer considering gathered evidences made public and the talk he delivered on 16th July 2020, forty five days before finding himself behind bars.
At the time, Rusesabagina gave deeper explanations on the creation of MRCD.
The discussion which lasted for two hours and 38 seconds was attended by MRCD members. Its footages were later uploaded on the party’s YouTube channel by one, Espérance Mukashema who headed Radio Ubumwe sponsored by Paul Rusesabagina.
Apearing in court, Rusesabagina himself admitted to have paid Mukashema. The woman, who passed on, used to receive US$300 per month.
Following his arrest, the video was deleted from the MRCD YouTube channel in what seemed to tamper with evidences.
An extract of the video that lasts for four minutes and 50 seconds shows Rusesabagina replying to Faustin Twagiramungu who also owns a political party dubbed ‘RDI Rwanda Rwiza’ on the foundation of FLN and its objectives.
“We created MRCD in November 2016. It was a coalition of two political parties including CNRD-Ubwiyunge and PDR-Ihumure. At the time, CNRD was led by Wilson Irategeka and and PDR-Ihumure led by me. After long negotiations, we set five pillars under one platform,” he said.
“The first pillar is what is being carried out by our soldiers. The second was diplomacy, the third was mobilization, the fourth was communication and the fifth was finance,” added Rusesabagina.
In his explanations, Rusesabagina used the word ‘Isambu’ translated as arable land, a figurative word with which the context was well known among his supporters.
During interrogations, Rusesabagina explained that they used figurative language to talk about their activities where the word ‘abahinzi’ (farmers) was used in place of fighters, ‘amasuka’ (hoes) was used to mean guns, utubuyenge (pebbles) to mean bullets while the word ‘umurima’ or ‘isambu’(arable land) was used to mean battleground.
After forming the coalition of PDR Ihumure, CNRD-Ubwiyunge and establishing their philosophies, the two political parties sought more support.
“We worked together and, in the end of 2017, our brothers from Rwanda Revolutionary Movement (RRM) led by Callixte Nsabimana wanted to join us to become a platform bringing together three parties,” said Rusesabagina.
“After long discussions, RRM was accepted in March 2018, and we were successful in our executions. That is when we started asking ourselves the name we will give our soldiers. Since May 2018, our boys were named FLN and that is why FLN does not belong to PDR, CNRD or RRM, it is under MRCD. We called them FLN because RRM brought its soldiers as well which meant we had to get an inclusive name,” added Rusesabagina.
He explained that the coalition birthed MRCD/FLN because soldiers belonged to the three parties until they allowed RDI Rwanda Rwiza formed by Faustin Twagiramungu on 18th June 2019, to join the platform.
At the time, the rebel group had started attempts to threaten Rwanda’s security plotting different attacks.
Rusesabagina was brought to the High Court Chamber for International Crimes along with 20 co-accused MRCD/FLN combatants.
The suspects faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when MRDC/FLN combatants plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
The court handed 25-year sentence to Rusesabagina and 20-year jail term to Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group after they were found guilty of terrorism charges.
The move has been announced today by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) after relocating the last batch of refugees from Gihembe to Mahama camp in Kirehe district.
“The relocation of refugees from Gihembe to Mahama camp has been concluded with the evacuation of 911 refugees in the last batch. The next move is to use the plot of land and its surroundings for environment preservation efforts. The aim is to resettle refugees to safe places which are not prone to life-threatening incidences,” the ministry has tweeted.
Gihembe camp accommodated 9,922 refugees from 2227 families who arrived in Rwanda in 1977.
They were firstly camped in Mudende before getting relocated to Gihembe refugee camp.
Speaking to the media recently; Goretti Murebwayire, Gihembe camp manager said that the relocation is meant to protect refugees’ wellbeing by resettling them in a more decent place.
“They should not be worried about the relocation to Mahama because the camp has been operational. Refugees with businesses will continue to enjoy such opportunity in Mahama camp and receive existing support. I would like to assure them that Mahama is more decent than this camp,” she explained.
