The aid was provided to CARE International in Rwanda (CARE Rwanda) to provide emergency relief supplies to households affected most by floods and heavy rains in Ngororero district.
These supplies include items such as sleeping mats, saucepans, blankets, mosquito nets, mattresses for pregnant women, jerrycans and hygiene products. In accordance with COVID-19 preparedness, CARE Rwanda staff will follow all Ministry of Health guidelines, including wearing masks and appropriate protective clothing for the delivery of the relief supplies.
Ambassador Vrooman announced the assistance in a Kinyarwanda-language video shared on WhatsApp and posted on Twitter (@USAmbRwanda), Facebook (U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda) and YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zGJvFsI3Vw.
The start of Rwanda’s first rainy season has been marked by heavy rain storms that have caused flooding, the destruction of housing, crops, bridges, and loss of life.
According to MINEMA at least 113 people were killed and over 2,000 houses had been destroyed or damaged since the beginning of April. Damage also affected roads, bridges, livestock, water supply lines, and electrical lines.
As of May 8, MINEMA estimates that tens of thousands of people have been directly and indirectly impacted by the above-average rainfall and resultant floods and landslides.
Given the strong partnership between the United States and the Government of Rwanda and its people, and the impact of this disaster on Rwanda, U.S. Ambassador Peter Vrooman is pleased to make available U.S. Government resources to assist the emergency response.
Some parents made arrangements with teachers for home-based learning, after the government directives to close schools until September due to the virus, where children from different families are brought together in groups to take lessons.
“People who are bringing teachers to their homes are violating the directives to prevent COVID-19. It is not allowed,” CP John Bosco Kabera, the spokesperson for Rwanda National Police, said in a tweet.
Kabera said that in response to a tweet from one Sylvie Nsanga, who pointed out that it was difficult for teachers and their students to observe physical distancing during home-schooling, especially during grouped sessions.
“We are bringing teachers in our homes to teach our children not knowing where they have touched and we are doing homeschooling in groups of different families,” reads one of her series of tweets.
The Police spokesperson explained that teachers were not allowed to find students in their homes.
He urged parents to adopt e-learning practices or following lessons that are being broadcast of public radio and television.
“Coaching in a sense where a teacher will bring together a few students to teach them is against the directives on social distancing that is in place, and so is prohibited at the moment,” Gaspard Twagirayezu, State Minister for Primary and Secondary at the Ministry of Education, said.
Irenee Ndayambaje, the Director-General of the Rwanda Education Board (REB) encourages students to study using the available online platforms, saying that the online learning materials are available for free for those who have access to the internet.
“The systems are interactive since there are tutors to help students and other users. The lessons on YouTube will not require internet charges after partnering with Telecom companies to finance the project,” Ndayambaje added.
For the students who are unable to access the e-learning platforms, the option is to follow the lessons through radio and television.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr Vincent Biruta confirmed, in a press briefing on Friday that an agreement had been reached with Tanzania and trucks would resume moving on Saturday morning.
“Talks have been concluded. Movement of trucks to start tomorrow,” Dr. Biruta told the Press in a short message.
Tanzanian truck drivers were resistant to adhere to the measures put in place by Rwanda, where they would be required to hand over their trucks to their Rwandan counterparts who would transport the goods to their final destination, in order to minimise cross border transmission of COVID-19.
Similarly, Rwandan trucks in direction to Dar es Salaam were blocked by protesting Tanzanian drivers in revenge for the measures instituted by Rwanda. Dr. Biruta said that since the implementation of the measures, cross-border infections of coronavirus cases declined tremendously.
“We had a previous meeting where we were not able to conclude on two particular points,”
“One was on swapping of drivers at Rusumo border post. The other one was related to the escorting of trucks with perishable goods and fuel because those ones could not offload at Rusumo. So, we were stuck on those particular points,” Dr. Biruta had said earlier before the countries reached an agreement.
He said Rwanda had made proposals to Tanzania which would be discussed on Friday afternoon, adding that there was no option of not agreeing because both countries were looking to ensuring that the central corridor route is restored as soon as possible.
Dr Biruta said that businesswise, both Rwanda and Tanzania were losing given the situation in Rusumo and Benaco and both needed to find a solution.
“What we are discussing here is business. Rwanda is not the only party to lose in this standoff. It is business, I guess Rwanda is losing money in this situation, Tanzania, the same. We need to find a solution,” Dr Biruta said.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of the East African Community (EAC) Prof Manasseh Nshuti said that Rwanda remains focused on the measures to stop the spread of New Coronavirus, including cross border transmissions which are proving to be a problem in the region.
Dr Biruta explained that Tanzania had opted out of the Consultative Meeting of EAC Heads of State which was held on Tuesday, chaired by President Paul Kagame, the sitting chair of the EAC. Tanzania said it was more interested in bilateral talks with Rwanda to resolve the standoff.
At the same time, Kenyan Truck drivers were also protesting measures of handing over trucks to Rwandan drivers at Kagitumba One Stop Border Post but the situation has been resolved and trucks have started moving according to Dr Biruta.
Prof Nshuti said that a solution had been agreed on with Kenyan, which would see Kenya test truck drivers before arriving setting off for regional countries and they would be tested again at the destination, those tested positive are not cleared to ferry the goods.
He said relations with Tanzania remained jovial despite the situation, but the two countries would arrive at a solution, citing the deal for Rwandair to transport Tanzanian fish from Mwanza to the European market as an example of positive relations between the two countries.
Dar es Salaam Port handles 80 percent of the goods imported into Rwanda.
“The arrest of Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes,” said Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of The Hague-based Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT).
“Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honour for my entire office.”
Kabuga was indicted by the UN International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination, all in relation to crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rwandan prosecutors say Kabuga was the chief financier during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The 100-day pogrom left at least a million Rwandans, the majority of them Tutsi, dead.
Kabuga held the purse-strings of hate media Kangura newspaper and RTLM radio, which incited ethnic Hutu to kill minority Tutsi, according to the Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit (GFTU), a special team created in 2007 to prosecute the architects behind the ethnic slaughter.
The operation to arrest Kabuga was run by French authorities in conjunction with the IRMCT. It involved “a sophisticated, coordinated operation with simultaneous searches across a number of locations,” the French justice ministry said.
He was arrested him at 0530 GMT (8930am) on Saturday.
{{Patched ties}}
Rwanda government has for long accused France of complicity in the genocide and of frustrating justice for the victims since many of the suspects fled to the European country when the government of Juvenal Habyarimana fell in July 1994.
France has admitted it made mistakes but insists it never had a role in the massacre.
In April 2013, Pascal Simbikangwa, a former Rwandan army captain, became the first fugitive to face charges of complicity in genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity in a French court.
Simbikangwa, arrested in the French island of Mayotte in 2008, was a month later joined in the dock by Octavien Ngenzi, 58, and Tito Barahira, 64, two former mayors accused of playing a direct role in the massacre of hundreds of Tutsi refugees in a church in the eastern town of Kabarondo on April 13, 1994.
However, the current government of Emmanuel Macron has appeared more forthcoming with Kigali after several meetings with President Paul Kagame.
In May 2018, Macron hosted Kagame and then openly backed Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo to head the world association of French-speaking nations.
Mushiwabo won the seat, Rwandan fugitives lost their haven. The arrest of Kabuga could send strong signals to the rest of the fugitives in France.
It is not yet clear if Kabuga will be extradited to Rwanda to face justice but Brammertz suggested that the suspect will be transferred to the custody of the Mechanism, where he will stand trial.
Rwanda’s Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit has issued 1,012 international arrest warrants for suspects in 32 countries.
Several are in neighbouring nations like DR Congo, Uganda and Tanzania. Others are further afield in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. And still others fled to Europe, North America or even Australia.
GFTU listed Kabuga on its top list. The other is Augustin Bizimana, a former defence minister believed to be hiding in DR Congo.
{{Who is Kabuga?}}
Félicien Kabuga was born in 1935 in Muniga, in present-day Gicumbi district, 30km from Gatuna-Katuna border. He was an extremely rich businessman who was closely allied to the family of President Habyarimana.
He was also the main financial contributor to and silent partner of Habyarimana’s party, National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development MRND, and led an extremist wing of the party.
When he bankrolled Kangura newspaper and RTLM radio, he reportedly used them for such fierce ethnic propaganda that the Information ministry was once compelled to order him to cease distribution of messages aiming at inciting inter-racial hatred.
In June 1994, confronted with the advance of RPF troops, Kabuga fled Rwanda. He first reached Switzerland but on receiving an order to leave, he then went to Kinshasa in DR Congo. He later hid in Nairobi, Kenya, until he found haven in France.
{{Genocide suspects transferred or extradited to Rwanda
Name From Date}}
-* Charles Bandora: Norway, March 2013
-* Jean-Paul Birindabagabo: Uganda, May 2017
-* Enos Kagaba: US, May 2005
-* Jean-Pierre Kwitonda: Uganda, November 2010
-* Jean-Claude Iyamuremye: Netherlands, November 2016
-* Emmanuel Mbarushimana: Denmark, July 2014
-* Jean-Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka: US, January 2011
-* Léon Mugesera: Canada, January 2012
-* Jean-Baptiste Mugimba: Netherlands, November 2016
-* Marie-Claire Mukeshimana: US, December 2011
-* Bernard Munyagishari: ICTR, July 2013
-* Léopold Munyakazi: US, September 2016
-* Jean de Dieu Munyaneza: Netherlands, March 2015
-* Augustin Nkundabazungu: Uganda, August 2010
-* Ladislas Ntaganzwa: ICTR, March 2016
-* Agnès Ntamabyariro: Zambia, 1997
-* Henry Jean Claude Seyoboka: Canada, November 2016
-* Jean Twagiramungu: Germany, August 18, 2017
-* Jean Uwinkindi: ICTR, April 2012
It is a photo taken during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Getty Images, a website that sells photos, said the photo was taken on June 12, 1994, in Gitarama by photographer Alexander Joe of AFP, the French Press Agency, although there was a lot of information provided by Genocide survivors.
It turns out that the soldier and the “Interahamwe” [as Getty Image called him] were together killing Tutsis while the Inkotanyi were fighting to end the Genocide. A few days ago a name was put to the photo.
The man in the photo is Ramadhan Muhire, who is still living in Zimbabwe, from Rukira in Ngoma. He is said to have played a big role in the massacre of Tutsis.
Muhire’s profile IGIHE was able to see was that he was the son of Gasekuru and Nyirabungura Thérèse, a former resident of Nyagasozi in Birenga. It has now been transformed into Amahoro Village, Nyaruvumu Cell, Rukira Sector in Ngoma District.
It is said that Muhire lived in Kibungo before the Genocide where he worked as a driver. He was an Interahamwe youth.
Many of the IGIHE interviewees agreed that he was the person who appeared in the photo.
One of Muhire’s neighbors told IGIHE that he knew him well and that he was the one in the most famous photo, he didn’t not only kill Tutsis but also looted a bag containing dollars in the économat in Kibungo and fled to Tanzania.
“He continued to Malawi. I heard he is living in Zimbabwe. That’s where he lives because even his relatives go to visit him, they come and tell us, he is a businessman.”
{{He cut me in the arm}}
One of the drivers who was working in Kibungo at the same time as Muhire, says that he knows him well because he once cut him.
“He once stabbed me. At the time, there was an Arusha negotiation and a signed the agreement, which the Interahamwe refused. They were protesting everywhere. They forced us on the way to go to the protest, to lift stones and block the road.
They took the Tutsis as cockroaches (nyenzi) and took them away to block the road with stones. That’s where he stabbed me and I still have the scar.”
{{He is a great man in Zimbabwe}}
“He is a trader in Harare City. He owns shops and factories and there are reports that he supports these groups in Congo where he acts as their coordinator in Zimbabwe,” One of the informants living in Zimbabwe told IGIHE.
IGIHE journalist found one of the members of the Muhire family at his shop in Kigali City, showed him a photo that is circulated and asked him if he knew the occupant.
He replied that he did not know him.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, CNLG, Bizimana Jean Damascène, told IGIHE that he had also heard reports that the person in the photo was Muhire but that “I have no evidence”.
Around the world, there are still people accused of involvement in the Genocide against the Tutsi but roam freely about. Apart from hiding, many are now engaged in the process to belittle genocide and even more so in pursuit of cooperation with insurgents in Rwanda.
The Rwandan prosecution has already issued arrest warrants for 1,144 people in 33 countries.
European countries are among the most heavily affected. At the time of writing, five of the six most-affected countries are in Europe.
And yet, even as Europe is fighting to bring COVID-19 under control at home, it is also playing a leading role in building global solidarity.
Even as we are physically distancing as individuals, we need to pull together collectively as actors on the world stage.
The European Union and WHO share a commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and countries around the world. Standing together as a global community is particularly crucial now, because we are all in this together as the disease knows no borders and does not discriminate. As long as it affects some of us, none of us is safe.
To support the global response to COVID-19, the European Union and its Member States recently put forward a Team Europe package, which is growing to be well over €23 billion. Of course, Team Europe will be delivering parts of its response to the coronavirus pandemic with the United Nations.
Like in so many crises, the most vulnerable suffer the most, and they must be our focus. The EU is supporting the WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan with €30 million in new funding to strengthen emergency preparedness and response in countries with weak health systems or which are affected by humanitarian crises.
In addition, the European Commission, WHO, and partners from around the globe have also teamed up to launch ‘The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator’, to speed up the development, production and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for COVID-19, so that all people have equitable access to these lifesaving products.
Building on this historic commitment, the European Commission hosted a pledging event on 4 May at which more than 40 countries came together to pledge some €7.4 billion to support research and development for vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
But our partnership extends well beyond the current crisis.
The pandemic exploits the gaps and inequalities in health systems, underscoring the importance of investing in health workers, health infrastructure and systems to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
Strong health systems are the best prevention not only against outbreaks and pandemics, but also against the multiple health threats people around the world face every day.
And yet, on current trends, more than 5 billion people will lack access to essential health services by 2030 – including the ability to see a health worker, access to essential medicines, and running water in hospitals.
Even when services are available, using them can mean financial ruin for millions of people.
These gaps don’t only undermine the health of individuals, families and communities; they also undermine global security and economic growth.
That is why the EU has contributed €102 million to the Universal Health Coverage Partnership with WHO, supporting health system strengthening in 115 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Central and South East Asia.
The world spends around US$7.5 trillion on health each year – almost 10 percent of global GDP.
But too many countries spend too much of their health budget on managing diseases in hospitals – where the costs are higher and the outcomes are often worse – instead of promoting health and preventing disease at the primary health care level.
The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually recede, but there can be no going back to business as usual.
As we work on responding to this pandemic, we must also prepare for the next one. Now is an opportunity to lay the foundations for resilient health systems around the world.
Investments to strengthen health infrastructure and workforce are the only way to avoid future global health crises like the one we are facing now.
If we learn anything from COVID-19, it must be that investing in health now will save lives later.
History will judge us not only on whether we got through this pandemic but on the lessons we learned and the actions we took once it was over.
{{Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director-General
World Health Organization}}
{{Jutta Urpilainen
Commissioner for International Partnerships
European Commission}}
The latest statistics released by the Rwandan Ministry of Health indicate a better future. Early this week, there were more recoveries than active cases and the trend has continued till now. From May 4th, the lockdown measures have been partly eased and people’s life and work are returning to normal at a steady pace.
What’s more, Rwanda contributed one million USD to the funding of the African Union and Africa Center of Disease Control to fight the pandemic. On different occasions, President Paul Kagame has firmly supported the leading role of the WHO in coronavirus fight and called for closer collaboration among members of the EAC, AU and international community. Rwanda truly sets a good example for outbreak response.
As China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, I’m deeply encouraged by Rwanda’s counter-virus efforts and achievements. We, the Chinese can empathize with Rwandan people’s experiences in this fight. China is the first country hit hard by the pandemic. We made huge sacrifices to push back the virus and know how tough the battle is.
COVID-19 is a public health crisis and seriously threatens the safety and health of people, poses big challenge to the governance of government, and severely undermines the social economy. Virus knows no borders. No country can shield itself from its impact. It’s a living proof that the world all belongs to a community with a shared future and a common stake.
China stands with Rwanda and other African countries in this fight. Together, we have demonstrated to the world that solidarity and cooperation can create a positive momentum.
When China was in the most difficult days, African friends including Rwandan people, assisted us to the best of the capabilities and voiced firm solidarity with China. Now China has achieved major and strategic success in containing the virus and the economy is showing steady recovery.
China is repaying kindness from Africa friends and working hand in hand to navigate the tough times. China has donated medical supplies to the African Union and all the African countries having diplomatic relations with China. Chinese public health experts have traveled to Africa to save lives.
The two sides have had frequent exchanges of views online. Going forward, China will continue to provide support to African countries, promote the development of Africa CDC, and enhance cooperation between China and Africa on public health and disease control. I’m sure together, China and Africa can beat COVID-19 and build a public health community with a shared future.
However, unlike in China and Africa where people closely coordinate and cooperate to fight the epidemic, in some parts of the world there have been unpleasant talks about COVID-19. At this critical juncture, it’s really a time for solidarity, collaboration and mutual support, not a time for finger-pointing or blame-shifting. In fighting the virus, fortunes of every country are closely inter-connected. In sustaining social and economic growth, interests of every country are closely aligned.
Facts already prove that no country can tackle this disease on its own. We are all in it together. Chinese President Xi Jinping said mankind belongs to a community with a shared future and in this community, solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to defeat COVID-19. Viruses are the common enemy of humanity.
Working together in partnership is only the right way forward.
Guided by this vision, we insist it is absolutely important that the international community should uphold fairness and justice, rather than politicize the public health issue and stigmatize other countries; different countries need act with a greater sense of common purpose and stronger resolve, rather than engage in a smear and scapegoating campaign.
We propose to improve global governance on public health and support the WHO in playing an important role in the global response to the pandemic.
We hope to enhance the coordination of social and economic policies to stabilize society, ensure economic recovery and guarantee people’s livelihoods. The global industrial and supply chains should keep open, stable and secure.
All these are integral parts of a community of public health for mankind. Hand in hand, we will prevail over the epidemic and make concrete contributions to global public health security.
{{RAO Hongwei
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Rwanda}}
The Board convened virtually on 12th May 2020 with the purpose of making strong advocacy for Great Lakes women, in several areas as the world battles COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants expressed concerns that women in the Great Lakes region of Africa are facing various social and economic challenges at this particular time.
The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, Mr. Huang Xia, who was the Chair of the meeting, expressed this concern saying that women are the most victim of the social-economic effects of the pandemic.
He stated: “COVID-19 is increasing the vulnerability of people who are already in fragile situations, thereby increasing poverty particularly among women and girls . .”
The 12th meeting of the Advisory Board set its agenda to include mobilization of the regional and international community to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and to preserve the achievements recorded in relation to the Women, Peace and Security component; participation of women in the political and electoral process in the region; and engagement of member states to ensure prevention, protection and economic recovery and implementation of the Regional Action Plan.
The meeting discussed the COVID 19, its impact on women, the girl child and other vulnerable groups of the Great Lakes Region as well as the efforts to preserve the gains relating to Women, Peace and Security (FPS), The meeting was also an opportunity to review the operationalization of the Regional Action Plan of resolution1325 (2000) of the Great Lakes Region and to examine the role of Gender Ministers in national, regional and international response to the ongoing health crisis as well as participation of women in forthcoming elections.
“In the great lakes region, women are the most active in business, especially informal sector. When borders are closed, and movements restricted, they cannot generate income. Therefore they cannot provide family basic needs such as food, health services, to mention, just a few,” said Ambassador Eliane Mokodopo, the Director of Gender in International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and member of the advisory board.
She said that due to this situation, many families emptied their stores which caused problems for most of the families.
Marguerite Mutumwinka, the Chairperson of COCFEM GL, a Consultative organization of 13 Umbrella of Women Associations in the Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi and DRC) said that this economic impact brings another challenge that will still affect the woman.
From Rwanda, Mutumwika said that the lockdown did not only affect women financially but also created condition for increased domestic.
She raised a concern about a potential increase of gender-based violence (GBV) in some countries of the region under COVID-19 lockdown.
Need to ensure peace and security for women during and after Covid-19
The 12th Advisory board recommended member states to establish national, regional, and continental mechanisms to ensure peace and security for women and girls.
“There is a need to work in synergy in order to initiate a common front to identify actions that should be implemented at the national, regional and continental level to fight against COVID – 19,” suggested Ambassador Mokodopo.
“We recommended to Ministers of gender in the region to meet and assess how to take into account gender into all mechanisms of protection, prevention and treatment of COVID – 19. This will reduce both the long term and short term negative impact of the pandemic among women in the region.”
The advisory board recommended to States in the region to think about gender in all their socio-economic planning as their efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 aftermath.
“For example, keeping in mind that both boys and girls have stopped their studies due to the lockdown, we recommend to our governments to assess how COVID-19 affects both girls and boys,” Mutumwika proposed.
Mutumwinka further proposed: “We assume that consequences of stopping studies can be more harmful to girls than they would be to boys. Our governments need to put in place strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies among girls who currently cannot go to school.”
Other recommendations made to the governments in the region are to sensitize men and women to share responsibilities and tasks at home to reduce the heavy domestic work normally done by women.
They suggested also putting in place strategies to secure fund for women in order to allow them restart their financial activities when countries start the new normal.
The Advisory Board for Women, Peace and Security for the Great Lakes Region was initiated in 2013 under the support of the office of the UN special Envoy to provide recommendations on issues related to women, peace and security.
The soldiers, Privates-Patrick Ndayishimiye, Fidele Nishimwe, François Gatete, John Gahirwa, and Theoneste Twagirimana, are accused of committing several acts of aggression against citizens of Kangondo 2 village, Nyarutarama cell in Remera sector, Gasabo District in the month of March this year.
Military Prosecution said that the alleged crimes were committed on separate occasions and there is evidence from victims’ testimony that the crimes were committed and so asked court to remand the suspects pending an in-depth investigation before trial hearings.
The defense lawyer, Moses Sebudandi argued during the earlier hearing, on Monday, that there was no sufficient evidence that the crimes were committed and the allegations leveled on his clients were not based on the legal provisions to suite a proper reason for detaining any of the accused.
Sebudandi, came to agree with the prosecution on testimonies collected but asked that all the suspects be released on grounds that the allegations were not sufficient to have them detained for 30 days.
The court said that there was enough reason to suspect the crimes were committed however found no sufficient evidence on one of the charges in which the suspects are accused of forming a terror group.
“Court finds no reason to suspect the accused of forming a terror group because they didn’t know each other and only met as a result of abandoning duty at their respective posts,” said Presiding Judge Major Gerald Muhigirwa.
“The six suspects, however, have five days to appeal the remand ruling,” the presiding judge advised.
All the suspects were taken for custody at a military facility pending the next appearance in 30 days, which can be extended depending on how much more evidence is needed before trial.
Some of these revisionists claim to be genocide survivors so that they can win favour and sympathy from the international community, including the host countries where they sought refuge after their 1994 atrocities. How ironic that genocide perpetrators have turned into genocide deniers and then claim to be genocide survivors.
These chronic sowers of hatred and merchants of death are scattered throughout the world in both developed and developing countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Canada, and even in countries such as Australia and New Zealand where genocide ideologists founded an outfit of Rwandan Association of Queensland to promote the lethal thinking.
Some of the individuals that are bent on promoting genocide ideology are profiled below.
{{Bene Gatebuke}}
Claude Gatebuke and his sister Alice, who live in Nashville, Tennessee, are descendants of Gatsinzi Gatebuke, a native of Gisenyi in the former Kayove Commune.
They both claim to be genocide survivors. But those who knew Gatsinzi Gatebuke testify that he hated Tutsis so much so that he could not sit at the table to eat with them.
Gatebuke runs the African Great Lakes Action Network (AGLAN), made up of himself, his sister, and Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, who use it to raise money from those who do not know the truth about Rwandan history.
{{Denise Zaneza, Europe Coordinator of “Global Campaign for Rwandans’ Human Rights”}}
Claude Gatebuke works closely with Denise Zaneza, a prominent woman who denies the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She is the eldest daughter of [Marcel Sebatware->https://cnlg.gov.rw/index.php?id=87&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=3979&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=b5ae79ff1006adb91b4862c19a8e6f9b] from Mukingo commune in Ruhengeri, who lives in Belgium and is accused of[involvement in the Genocide.
->https://cnlg.gov.rw/index.php?id=87&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=3979&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=b5ae79ff1006adb91b4862c19a8e6f9b]
The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide [CNLG] indicates that Sebatware is in self-exile in Belgium, hiding behind political activities to obscure his role in the Genocide against the Tutsi. He is a commissioner and one of the founders, along with Victoire Ingabire, of the FDU-INKINGI party in Belgium.
Denise Zaneza claims to be a human rights activist and is the Europe coordinator for the denialist organisation called “Global Campaign on Rwandan Human Rights”, “and a genocide survivor.” It is all a disguise because she is not a Genocide survivor.
{{Jambo Asbl}}
Jambo Asbl, operating in Belgium, is an organization that claims to protect humanity, yet aims to deny and belittle the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among its leaders is Placide Kayumba, founder and CEO of Jambo Asbl, the son of [Dominique Ntawukuriryayo->https://unictr.irmct.org/en/cases/ictr-05-82], who became Sous-Prefet of Gisagara during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2010 he was [sentenced by the ICTR to 25 years in prison->https://unictr.irmct.org/sites/unictr.org/files/case-documents/ictr-05-82/trial-judgements/en/100803.pdf]. He was convicted of leading a massacre on Mount Kabuye, killing more than 30,000 Tutsis.
There is also Natacha Abingeneye, the President of Jambo Asbl, the daughter of Juvénal Uwiringiyimana who became the Minister of Trade and was an MRND activist. In June 2005 he was summoned by the ICTR, where he died before his trial ended.
Another one is Gustave Mbonyumutwa, son of Shingiro Mbonyumutwa, who prosecuted by the Gacaca courts for his role in the Genocide against the Tutsi, and the grandson of Dominique Mbonyumutwa, one of the founders of MDR Parmehutu, who became the first President of Rwanda in 1961.
Also among the members of Jambo Asbl is Liliane Bahufite, daughter of Colonel [Juvenal Bahufite who led the massacre in Gisenyi in 1990-1993->https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/18/world/mugunga-journal-a-refugee-camp-hums-with-the-spirit-of-home.html]. He was also a spokesperson for the militia that carried out the Genocide after they fled to Zaire.
Laure Nkundakozera Uwase, former Secretary-General of Jambo Asbl, and editor-in-chief of Jambo News in collaboration with Ruhumuza Mbonyumutwa, is the daughter of Anastase Nkundakozera, who was convicted by the Gacaca Courts of genocide against the Tutsi, and whose mother, Agnès Mukarugomwa, was a prominent MRND activist.
The current leader of Jambo Asbl, Robert Mugabowindekwe, is the son of Lt Col Éphrem Rwabalinda who served as Adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of Habyarimana’s Armed Forces. During the Genocide, Lt Col Rwabalinda was sent to Paris between 9-13 May 1994 to meet with French military leaders.
The message that he had brought when he was received by General Jean-Pierre Huchon included demands for weapons to confront the RPF Inkotanyi.
The Jambo team also includes Norman Ishimwe Sinamenye, the Secretary-General. His father, André Sinamenye, was born in Gikongoro, he was not involved in the Genocide but was against the government that organized it. From 1991 to 1994 he was a member of the PSD.
IGIHE has since learned that Norman Ishimwe’s father was unhappy with the path his son has taken, and even tried to get him out of the Jambo Asbl but wasn’t successful.
Unlike Robert Mugabowindekwe, Laure Uwase, Natacha Abingeneye, Placide Kayumba, Ruhumuza, and Gustave Mbonyumutwa and others, Norman Ishimwe, was not indoctrinated into genocide denial by his parents, but through his friend in Jambo Asbl.
Jambo Asbl uses many tactics to minimise and negate the Genocide against the Tutsi. Despite their recent pretence of using of UN-accepted language, they are quick to add to the “genocide against the Hutus.” They do not agree with the role of the Interim Government (that executed the Genocide), the MRND, the Hutu Power, and the FAR were involved in the genocide, but claim that the Interim Government wanted to restore peace.
{{René Mugenzi in the UK}}
René Mugenzi last year appeared on Al Jazeera television claiming to have survived the Genocide. However, his father, Joseph Mugenzi, is suspected of involvement in the Genocide, has fled justice, and is believed to be hiding in the Netherlands.
{{Peter Mutabaruka, of Peace at Home (Amahoro Iwacu)}}
Peter Mutabaruka lives in the UK with his father, Celestin Mutabaruka, one of the infamous “UK Five” fugitives who are suspected of involvement in the Genocide against the Tutsi. The 64-year-old Celestin Mutabaruka, a pastor in the Community Church, is accused of being involved in the massacre of Tutsis of Bisesero at Kibuye in 1994.
Despite his father’s actions, Peter Mutabaruka continues to accuse the Rwandan government of violating human rights, and in 2017 launched a campaign called Amahoro Iwacu, in which he called for the removal of the President of Rwanda. He uses social media sites extensively, particularly Facebook and YouTube.
{{Deniers in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada}}
Others continue to deny the Genocide and have already multiplied in Australia and New Zealand, where their activities have been highlighted during the #Remembrance26. They continue to use the “Genocide in Rwanda”, instead of the UN-mandated name, Genocide against Tutsis.
These include Nelson Muhirwa and his wife Yvette Muhirwa from Australia, who use social media sites such as YouTube, to allege that the RPF has committed crimes against Hutus. Others are RNC militants, including Robert Mukombozi and Kalisa Mubarak.
In countries such as Canada, there is Louise Uwacu, who also claims to have survived the Genocide. She spreads genocide denial working closely with Claude Gatebuke and other genocide deniers.
Louise Uwacu’s family fled from Ruhengeri to Zaire after the RPF defeated those carrying out the Genocide.
Other influencers include Eric Udahemuka, spreading falsehoods on YouTube and other hate speech broadcasters, especially through Ikondera Libre TV, which is widely used by genocide deniers.
One of the political analysts who spoke to IGIHE said that the new generation of Tutsi Genocide deniers is using social media to spread genocide ideology and minimise the Genocide. “Such acts have to be fought until they stop.”
