{{Police has arrested three people in connection with drug related crimes.}}
Suspects have been identified as; Thomas Iyakaremye 31, of Kigome Cell, Mataba Sector in Gakenke District, who was found in possession of a-half kilogramme of cannabis and Francis Uwimana of Gako Cell in Cyumba Sector, Gicumbi District, who was arrested with 18 liters of illicit brew commonly known as kanyanga.
Fighting and preventing drug related crimes is one of Rwanda National Police priorities.
Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who unlawfully makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three years to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.
The law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda, in its Article 24, also states that “any drink that exceeds 45% of alcohol and any other drink which doesn’t have the required quality for consumption shall be considered as narcotic drug.”
Northern region police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Francis Gahima lauded the good partnership of Gakenke residents with police, which he said has since lead to the arrest of several wrong-doers in the district.
He further warned that the Police is always alert given and has devised strategies to counter such security threats.
The Rwandan Embassy in France has organized a Commemoration ceremony with the collaboration of UNESCO.
The event was attended at the impressive Room 4 Auditorium of UNESCO HQ and more than 150 people, attended by representatives of the French Government, permanent Delegates to the UNESCO, Ambassadors accredited in France, Commemoration partners (including NGOs, Survivors associations…), Friends of Rwanda and many members of the Rwandan Community in France.
The last commemoration event at UNESCO was during the 10th commemoration in 2004.
Mrs Lalla Aïcha Ben Barka, Assistant Director-General for Africa at UNESCO had very meaningful words on the value of remembering the Genocide. She highlighted that the Commemoration is a time of sorrow but also an opportunity for hope.
Mr. Alain Ngirinshuti, Vice Chairman of Ibuka France highlighted the mature perspective of the Survivors, 19th after the tragedy.
He insisted that a memorial in memory of the Genocide against the Tutsi should be raised in Paris to be inaugurated on the 20th anniversary.
In support to this initiative, an open letter has been sent to President Hollande. The Chairman of Ibuka France also insisted that the knowledge of the Genocide should be introduced in Education.
H.E. David Hamadziripi, Ambassador of Zimbabwe in France, Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO, and representing the Group of African Ambassadors in France delivered a very strong message on memory as a collective responsibility.
He also pointed at the issue of genocide criminals being active abroad, in particular in DRC. He concluded on the significance of Never Again as a promise of Peace.
Mrs. Corinne Brunon-Meunier, Deputy Director for Eastern Africa at the French MoFA and representing the French Government, delivered a balanced speech on the significance of the Commemoration.
She mainly highlighted the effort of the French government to improve the Justice system. She developed on the new department in charge of Genocide crimes and crimes against Humanity.
She also mentioned the forthcoming first case to be prosecuted at the criminal court (Cour d’Assise).
H.E. Ambassador Jacques Kabale concluded with a 10-minute allocution developing the importance of memory. After a tribute to the victims and the expression of support to the survivors, he developed his message on two main points.
First, Justice was presented as a disappointing process in France due to shortcoming, loopholes and obstructions.
Cooperative countries were given as an example of political determination.
Second, Security was presented as an issue directly related to the presence of genocide suspects sustaining a destructive agenda, particularly in DRC.
The Ambassador also invited UNESCO to act in support to the memory of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He insisted on the relevance to list the 3 memorials of Gisozi, Bisesero and Murambi on the World Heritage.
He also insisted on the importance of including the Genocide in future “Education to Peace” initiatives.
In conclusion, the Ambassador ended with a statement of much resonance in the assembly: the Genocide against the Tutsi is a lesson of Humanity for the Humanity.
{Ambassador Jacques Kabale addressing a gathering during the 19th commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi}
{{On Monday, April 8, Rwandans living in Tokyo Japan marked the 19th commemoration of Genocide against the Tutsi. }}
The event was attended by several Rwandans and representatives of foreign missions in Japan and friends of Rwanda.
In his remarks, Dr. Charles MURIGANDE, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan emphasized that the self-reliance philosophy was and is still one of the cardinal values that were embedded in our liberation struggle, but our resolve to count on ourselves in confronting our challenges was more reinforced by injustices and double standards by the international community.
He noted that Rwandans were abandoned by the international community during the genocide. the international community fed and protected genocidal forces, while they were busy retraining, re-arming and launching cross border attacks to annihilate the survivors of genocide.
The ambassador said the International community still drags their feet in bringing genocide perpetrators to justice, and under pretense of political freedoms, allows these perpetrators to freely engage in genocide denial and revisionist campaign.
He noted that recently some development partners suspended their development aid to Rwanda on the basis of flimsy allegations by the so-called UN Group of Experts on DRC, despite the fact that Rwanda is highly praised for efficient and accountable use of development assistance.
Emphasized that Rwandans refused to be consumed by sorrow, despair and hopelessness, but chose to be assertive of our right to have a better life we desire and deserve.
{Rwandas envoy to Japan Dr. Charles Murigande addressing Rwandans, friends of Rwanda and representatives of international community in Tokyo Japan.}
{{On 8th April 2013, the Nineteenth commemoration of genocide against Tutsis was organized at the Embassy of Rwanda in Beijing and was attended by Ambassadors, Diplomats from different Countries accredited to China, Chinese officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Defense, representatives of Universities, Chinese from private sectors, and many other friends of Rwanda.}}
The ceremony started with one minute of silence to remember all genocide victims, followed by prayers by Pastor Shawn Powers, accompanied by Rwandan community in Beijing songs.
A short documentary on Immaculee Ilibagiza testimony was screened to put the audience fully in the context.
The Acting Dean of African Ambassadors H.E Ambassador Sikonina Victor, Ambassador of Madagascar delivered a speech calling for unity and reconciliation, urging all Diplomats to carry this lesson and teach the whole world that what happened in Rwanda should never happen again anywhere else. He wished Rwanda Peace, Prosperity and Justice.
In His speech H.E Ambassador Ngarambe thanked everyone for their continued support; he underscored the importance of drawing lessons from that unspeakable crime and stressed that “everyone should understand the necessity to fight all sources of poor governance, hatred, injustice and discrimination.
He affirmed that “lessons learnt must also help to prevent genocide from happening again anywhere in future, especially by analyzing and understanding the failure of the international community’s responsibility to protect endangered people, despite abundance of information on the preparation and the execution of genocide”.
The Ambassador called upon the international community, all well wishers, all friends of Rwanda to fight all genocide deniers because “forgetting or denying genocide is denying the humanity of the victims;
It’s assuring impunity to its planners and perpetrators, and it is making it possible for genocide to be repeated again and again.”
The ceremony was concluded with a movie “Sometimes in April”.
{{The South African government is constructing a facility that will be known as Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
The center will be unveiled when Rwanda’s 20th Commemoration of genocide against the Tutsi.}}
Rwanda’s Envoy to South Africa, HE Vincent Karega was quoted by a local daily saying, that the Rwandan embassy in Johannesburg is already collaborating with the Holocaust & Genocide center.
“We have linked up the center with Rwanda’s National Commission for the fight against Genocide (CNLG) and Rwanda has been urged to provide its support to the construction of Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide center”
The Holocaust & Genocide center (JHGC) is dedicated to Holocaust and genocide education and memory.
The Holocaust will be featured beside a more local genocide: the Rwandan genocide against ethnic Tutsi in1994.
According to JHGC website, the inclusion of the African mass murder is not a mere gesture toward political correctness in what will be the third Holocaust museum in Africa. Rather it will be an integral part of the planned Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
“The Rwandan section is a prominent part of the permanent exhibition, not an afterthought,” said center director Tali Nates. “It will be a shared museum.”
{{Uhuru Kenyatta has been formally sworn into office as Kenya’s 4th president in historic and colourful ceremony witnessed by 12 Heads of States.
Uhuru takes oath office administered by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Gladys Shollei in the presence of the Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga as prescribed in the Constitution.}}
After taking the oath of solemn affirmation of allegiance and due execution of the functions of office of president.
His wife who stood by him as he took oath office accompanied Uhuru. It was interesting to see the new president use the Bible that used by his father in 1963.
His wife Margaret did not hold the Bible for him as widely reported in the media days before the inauguration.
Uhuru was then presented with a duly signed certificate of inauguration, which he waved amid roaring cheers from jubilant crowds gathered at the Moi International Sports Centre- Kasarani.
He was then handed with instruments of power – a sword and a copy of the Constitution by the out-going President Kibaki.
The sword represents his take over as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya.
Uhuru’s mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta who saw a second family member take office inside 50 years witnessed the ceremony.
The ceremony was spiced with military full regalia parade and new presidential standard navy blue flag and a 21-gun salute.
{{Rwandans living in Senegal have marked the 19th commemoration of the genocide against ethnic Tutsi in Rwanda.}}
The Genocide that happened in 1994 claimed over a million lives.
On April 7, hundreds of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in Senegal marked this commemoration at Place du souvenir,in the capital Dakar.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Senegal, H.E. Ntwari Gérard thanked all the people gathered for the commemoration.
A Commemoration fire was lit by young Rwandan children symbolising hope for the future of Rwanda.
There was a minute of silence to honour the victims of the 1994 genocide against the tutsi that killed over a million lives.
“As humans we have an obligation to always remember the Genocide against the Tutsi so that it should never happen again both in Rwanda and elsewhere in the world. To undermine Genocide against the Tutsi is equivallent to deny the gravity of what happened in Rwanda. we must do more to prevent denial against the Tutsi Genocide.”
{{US President Barack Obama has marked the 19th Commemoration of genocide against ethnic Tutsi in Rwanda.}}
He said on sunday that the United States “grieves with the Rwandan people” who survived the killings.
Obama said, “We look with you to the future and renew our commitment to human rights and the rule of law, to the protection of the vulnerable, and to the prevention of atrocities so that such evil is never repeated.”
He said in a statement “19 years ago, Rwanda was torn apart by a great evil,”
“Today, we stand with the people of Rwanda to commemorate the Rwandan genocide. We honor the victims, and we express our solidarity with the survivors.”
{{Police officers serving under the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) mandate, on Sunday marked the 19th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.}}
The commemoration event held at the Rwandan base in Jeremie was also attended by friends of Rwanda in the Caribbean nation, UN staff, local leaders and clerics.
Currently, there are 160 police officers in Haiti under Formed Police Unit (FPU).
Speaking at the event, the contingent commander, Chief Superintendent (CSP) Desire Twizere, thanked all those who turned up to join Rwandans to remember over one million innocent lives killed in only a-hundred days.
“Remembering is an obligation,” CSP Twizere stated.
“The tragedy caused us pain, and this was all due to bad politics by bad politicians and bad leaders. Bad politics led to loss of value and culture and the tragic situation of 1994 was inevitable,” he noted.
He said that Rwandans have moved on to change the past bad politics that caused the genocide, and to ensure that such an inhuman act doesn’t happen again.
He outlined infrastructure, education, health, investment, unity and reconciliation, energy, agriculture, good governance as areas where the country has made great development strides in the last 19 years.
He said that Rwandans are committed to find solutions to problems they face.
The 19th anniversary started with a “Walk to Remember” as Rwanda, UN and Haitian flags held at half-mast to pay tribute to those who perished in the Genocide.
{RNP peacekeepers in Haiti in a walk to remember during the 19th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi }
{UN staff and local leaders in Haiti also attended the anniversary}
{Friends of Rwanda in Haiti also joined the Rwandan peacekeepers to commemorate the Genocide}
