The graduation ceremony took place in Sandhurst of UK in the morning of Friday 12th August 2022. Other Rwandans who graduated along with Ian Kagame include Park Udahemuka and David Nsengiyumva.
Graduates from the academy include 208 UK nationals and 41 foreigners from 26 countries.
President Kagame and Mrs. Jeannette Kagame attended the ceremony in which their son was commissioned. Rwanda’s national anthem was played as a guard of honour was mounted to welcome him.
In 2019, Ian Kagame obtained Master’s degree in Economy from Williams College in the United States of America.
Considering its unique approach, this form of therapy has been given much attention through various events meant to raise awareness on it and eventually extend support to trauma victims in different societies.
A case in point is the International Narrative Therapy and Community Work Conference which is also a fruit of the great relevance attached to this noble approach. The latest conference took place in Rwanda this week bringing together participants from over 30 countries.
It was hosted by the Center for Mental Health under the UR-College of Medicine and Health Sciences in partnership with Dulwich Center Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda and Geruka Healing Centre.
The conference sought to share experiences in responding to Mental Health hardships using narrative ideas which have continued to be used by practitioners from several countries across the world and also share research findings on narrative therapy.
Under the Narrative therapy, participating practitioners said, people who need psychological support, tell their own stories in order to get their hearts soothed. This is often done by assigning that person the role of narrator in his/her own story.
This is type of therapy is strongly believed to help people overcome their problems and encourages people to rely on own ability or other sources of strength to minimize the effect of horrendous experiences they went through.
Besides, narrative therapy uses the power of these stories to help people determine the purpose of life.
According to practitioners of narrative therapy, telling one’s story plays a significant role to the process of recovery.
Speaking at the conference held recently; the Director of the Centre for Mental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Rwanda, Prof. Vincent Sezibera highlighted that this type of therapy is unique as it helps affected individuals to develop positive mindsets.
“When we deal with people who may require mental and psychological support, we tend to focus on problems but narrative therapy promotes the approach that focuses on a different story, the alternative story. Where you do not have to see the person from the perspective of hardships,” he noted.
While mental disorders are prevalent among 20% of Rwanda’s general population, most of the people with mental health problems have depression as a consequence of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This approach is hailed for having contributed to the healing journey in no smaller part.
Martha Mukagihana is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who lives in Imena Village sheltering Genocide widows. She is among beneficiaries of the type of therapy.
She attested that telling their stories and sharing experiences helped them in the process of overcoming traumas.
“We used to live in loneliness and haunted by bad memories that we were very depressed. After coming together in Imena village, we have been meeting every Tuesday for social interactions to share our stories, dance and discuss how best we can improve our welfare through different projects like mushrooms’ farming, and handicrafts among others,” she said.
At least more than 60 practitioners who completed a Postgraduate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Training Program in Narrative Therapy are currently assisting patients at different hospitals across the country.
The program was introduced at UR- College of Medicine and Health Sciences four years ago.
The revision of the repo rate is part of resolutions of the quarterly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on 9th August 2022.
Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. It is used by monetary authorities to control inflation.
According to BNR, the increase in lending rate was reached following an analysis by the MPC which pointed out high inflationary pressures driven by global supply challenges as well as lower domestic agriculture output.
Others include the increase in prices for key commodities such as oil, gas and food as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine which are two major producers and exporters of oil, gas, fertilizers, metals, cereals and son-flower seed oils.
Domestically, lower domestic food supply linked to climate constraints and increased prices of inputs have led to increased food prices.
In line with the above, Rwanda’s economy is projected to grow by 6% while the headline inflations is projected to average around 12.1% in 2022.
“Given these developments and the outlook, the MPC decided to increase the Central Bank Rate [CBR] by 100 percent basis points from 5.0 to 6.0 percent, with the aim to reduce inflationary pressures and therefore preserve the purchasing power of consumers.
Consistent with the monetary policy and other measures, inflation is expected to decelerate towards the 5 percent benchmark in the second half of 2023,” reads a statement from BNR.
On Thursday 11th August 2022, President Paul Kagame received the United States (US) Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. The US request to release Rusesabagina was among topics of discussions between the two leaders.
Paul Rusesabagina the former President of MRCD – FLN militia group was handed 25-year jail term last year over terrorism charges. The group is accused of having carried out attacks in the outskirts of Nyungwe National Park where it killed civilians, burnt houses and looted people’s valuables among others.
Speaking to the media, Minister Biruta has said that Rusesabagina was tried and convicted along with 20 other accomplices, under both Rwandan and international laws, for serious crimes against Rwandans.
He revealed that it is unusual for Rwanda to be influenced by pressure and insisted that the country’s stand on the case of Rusesabagina is clear.
“For us, the trial has definitively ended. He was convicted and sentenced like other criminals jailed for different cases handled before courts. This is where we stand,” he said.
On whether Rwanda won’t change its position on the issue and release Rusesabagina over pressure, Minister Biruta explained that the country will abide by laws and stick to the court’s decision where Rusesabagina has to serve his sentence.
Commenting on what can be done to maintain relations in case the request to release Rusesabagina is rejected, US State Secretary Blinken said: “As you know we established what we call the Khashogi Ban, to make clear that any country that engages in repressive actions against those criticizing it, if those persons are in the United States, they may face consequences of those actions. I shared all of these with President Kagame today.”
Khashoggi Ban is a sanction and visa restriction announced by the United States Department of State in memory of the Saudi journalist and political dissenter Jamal Khashoggi.
It “allows the United States Department of State to impose visa restrictions on individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.
[{{Related story: Victims of FLN attacks demand Anthony Blinken to consider their concerns}}
->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/victims-of-fln-attacks-demand-anthony-blinken-to-consider-their-concerns]
Topics of discussions held earlier on Thursday 11th August 2022 between the two leaders include the security issues in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Blinken arrived in Rwanda from DRC where he met with President Félix Tshisekedi.
The country accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebel group in its fight with Congolese Army (FARDC).
The rebel group resumed fighting following DRC’s failure to implement signed peace accords.
Speaking at a joint press conference held today, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said: “We have also discussed insecurity in eastern DRC, the very real consequences for Rwanda and reaffirmed our support to regional efforts including the Nairobi and Luanda initiatives towards peace and stability in our region.”
“We agreed on the need to eradicate all irregular armed groups operating in eastern DRC including the FDLR and its fractions. We noted the resurgence of hate speech, public incitement and the genocide ideology in DRC, and the need to address this issue. We also reaffirmed the importance of respect of territorial integrity by all the countries in the region,” he added.
Rwanda has repeatedly refuted DRC’s allegations that it supports M23 rebel group but accused the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwanda also accused DRC of violating territorial integrity based on rockets shelled on its territory in the recent months by FARDC.
Speaking to the media on topics of discussions with President Kagame, Blinken revealed that he expressed concerns of US over reports accusing Rwanda of supporting M23.
“I raised our concerns including credible reports indicating that Rwanda continues to support M23 rebel group and has its own forces inside the DRC. We recognize that Rwanda has security concerns including the cooperation between the Congolese Military and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda,” he said.
“My message to both President Tshisekedi and President Kagame this week has been the same. Any support or collaboration with armed groups in eastern DRC, endangers local communities and regional stability. Every country in the region must respect territorial integrity of the others. The United States has the same message for all neighbouring countries,” added Blinken.
The US State Secretary revealed that he urged both President Kagame and Tshisekedi to continue the process of dialogues launched by regional countries and the African Union.
Blinken also stated that US supports the Nairobi process requiring DRC to engage in dialogue with armed groups.
“Both presidents agreed to engage directly with each other, they are both ready to resume the talks in context of the Nairobi process with armed groups and both welcomed the continued US engagement in support of African led mediation efforts,” he noted.
Blinken also reminisced on the issue of propagated hate speeches against Rwandophones in DRC whose rights are abused.
He reaffirmed his countries commitment to condemn such acts and revealed that he urged President Tshisekedi to do the same.
Antony Blinken reassured his country’s continued support to Rwanda and commended Rwanda’s progress for the past 25 years.
“The journey that Rwanda has taken over the past two decades is remarkable. You have risen from genocide to global destination for innovation, investment and tourism,” he said.
Rwanda, US diplomatic relations date back in 1962.
In 2021, US provided US$147 million funding to Rwanda to promote democracy, governance, health, education, economy and conservation efforts.
For the past three years, US provided US$116 million to support Rwanda’s health sector on annual basis. It also provided US$23 million for Rwanda to mitigate effects of COVID-19.
From 2021, the country has through COVAX donated 5,500,030 vaccine doses to Rwanda.
In 2021, US imports from Rwanda were estimated at US$31 million while Rwanda’s imports from US amounted to US$49.9 million.
Paul Rusesabagina the former President of MRCD – FLN militia group was handed 25-year jail term last year over terrorism charges. In April 2022, the Court of Appeal retained the sentence handed to Rusesabagina by the High Court.
The court also ordered compensation to victims of MRCD-FLN attacks.
Ahead of his visit to Kigali, Anthony Blinken confirmed that the release of Paul Rusesabagina would be among issues of discussions with President Paul Kagame.
He stressed that such negotiations are needed in countries where US citizens are detained illegally.
Similar message demanding the release of Rusesabagina was echoed at different times by US politicians and human rights organizations.
Meanwhile, Rusesabagina was convicted based on evidences provided by relevant authorities in Belgium and US among others, particularly regarding his funding to FLN.
Ahead of the visit of Blinken to Rwanda, victims of MRCD-FLN attacks penned a letter with an attachment of their names and signatures.
The attacks were carried out by the terrorist group between 2018 and 2019 led by Rusesabagina.
The letter shows that discussions about the issue have been pushing for the release of Rusesabagina and disregarded affected victims.
“Our suffering at the hands of Paul Rusesabagina’s MRCD-FLN continues to be dismissed or outright ignored by the very entities that purport to champion the human rights of the vulnerable,” reads part of the letter.
“As victims of the MRCD-FLN attacks, we have endeavored to come together to amplify our voices and raise awareness to the actions of Paul Rusesabagina and his co-perpetrators,” adds the letter.
The victims revealed that highlighting the devastating impact these attacks have had and continue to have on their families, will underline the importance of their demand for justice, dignity and compensation.
According to the letter, the governance of MRCD-FLN operated on a rotational basis among the various leaders of affiliated political parties. Paul Rusesabagina assumed its presidency from July 2017 to June 2019 when the violent attacks were carried out to affected families in the outskirts of Nyungwe National Park.
In these attacks, reads the letter, the MRCD-FLN combatants carefully avoided any interaction with the police or the army and only attacked places where they knew people were unarmed and defenseless.
It is said that the attackers went into shops looting and would also break into the homes of people, assaulting them and robbing them of food, money and clothes.
In the letter, the victims also claimed that assailants indiscriminately shot passersby, threw grenades at cars where some people who could not escape the buses were burnt to death or succumbed to gunshot wounds.
On the other hand, the attackers are accused to have kidnapped people and made them carry looted goods into the forest.
“The MRCD-FLN murdered 11 people, including e children, the youngest being ten years old. Among those killed, were four parents who were the sole providers of their families,” adds the letter.
Among those killed is Anatole Maniraho who was ordered to lie down and shot dead instantly. The victims explained that Maniriho left a pregnant wife where his child, currently a toddler, will grow without father.
Others include Isaac Niwenshuti,17, who was on his way to visit his father but was killed and burnt beyond recognition in the bus attack. His family was only able to identify him through DNA testing.
“The current discourse from the international community and the calls for his immediate release are very distressing to our families and communities. Paul Rusesabagina is just as guilty as Sankara and co-perpetrators. He has expressed no remorse for his actions and the violence his terrorist organization inflicted on us during the trial, worse he simply decided not to participate in it,” reads the letter in part.
“As the victims of the crimes of Paul Rusesabagina and Sankara’s MRCD-FLN, we need justice to be served to its full extent. Through the court, we have received retributive justice, and we now seek restorative justice,” adds the letter.
The victims insisted that they want to see their suffering told and considered in all engagements related to Paul Rusesabagina and his terrorist organization.
“We are the ones living with the consequences of his actions and have yet to recover emotionally, physically and financially from the violence inflicted upon us by the MRCD-FLN,” reads an extract from the letter.
The victims also commended the support that the US Government continues to extend to victims of terror attacks both domestically in the US and globally and demanded that the efforts be extended to them.
“As such, as a gesture to recognize our rights as victims of terror attacks, we request to have those efforts extended to support our needs as well. The court-ordered compensation to the victims has yet to materialize, leaving some of us in dire financial situation.
We are aware that some of the perpetrators of terrorism in the communities have assets in the United States. In line with its stated commitment, we hope for US Government to support our quest for remedial justice. This, we believe, will send a strong message that the US supports victims of terrorism and is committed to holding perpetrators of terrorism fully accountable for their actions,” concludes the letter.
Blinken arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday 10th August 2022 expected to address members of the press on Thursday.
Mrs Jeannette Kagame was born on 10th August 1962. As she turns 60, President Kagame has via Twitter handle sent best wishes to his life partner with whom they spent many years together.
“A very Happy BD Jeannette! 60years sounds short. IMAGINE for 30+ we’ve been together-It is when everything FAMILY & COUNTRY we could look up to happened. Gets harder every day to ask for more or better. Bless ALL of us!!!” he tweeted.
President Kagame and Mrs Jeannette Kagame have begotten four children including three boys and one girl.
They were recently blessed with two grandchildren born to their daughter, Ange Kagame.
President Kagame and Mrs Jeannette Kagame got married in 1989 in Uganda where they had sought refuge.
The Urban CPI is considered as the headline index for monetary policy purposes. In addition, select detailed item indices are published for items judged to be important or experiencing extreme price movement.
Figures released today show that the Urban CPI increased by 15.6 percent on annual basis (July 2022 and July 2021) and increased by 1.7 percent on monthly basis (July 2022 to June 2022). The annual average inflation rate between July 2022 and July 2021 was 5.9 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 28.6 percent, ‘Housing water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ increased by 7.5 percent, Transport increased by 12.4 percent while Restaurants and Hotels increased by 17.2 percent.
The CPI for July 2022 increased by 1.7 percent compared to June 2022. Food and nonalcoholic beverages increased by 2.9 percent.
Meanwhile, Rural CPI increased by 22.5 percent on annual basis from and increased by 3.5 percent on monthly basis from 17.9 % of the previous month.
NISR has also revealed that the overall Rwanda CPI increased by 19.6 percent on annual basis and increased by 2.7 percent on monthly basis.
Apart from Rwanda, prices continue to soar on the international market, mainly due to the war between Russia and Ukraine and hiked transport cost.
The Ministry of Infrastructure recently announced revised fuel prices where a liter of diesel is set at Rwf1607 while petrol costs Rwf1609 per liter. The fuel prices revised every two months depending on price changes on the international market will go into effect for two months from 8th August 2022.
The rise in fuel prices saw the cost of diesel increasing by Rwf104 from Rwf1503 while the price of petrol rose by Rwf149 from Rwf1460.
Speaking to RTV on Sunday, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana revealed that the prices would have gone much higher hadn’t it been the government’s subsidy program.
He said that government injected almost Rwf10 billion to subsidize prices.
Amb. Wang Xuekun said that he is honoured to represent his country to Rwanda and reiterated commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and friendship.
“Since the establishment of our bilateral ties, our bilateral cooperation and friendship have grown at faster pace. In recent years, the exchange between President Kagame and Xi Jinping have brought our bilateral relations to a new stage. We look forward to working together to promote our bilateral political trust and promote the mutual beneficial cooperation.
Rwanda and China started bilateral ties only after a decade of Rwanda’s Independence from Belgium.
Since 1971 and more particularly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the two countries have worked closely to strategically develop their political and socio-economic ties.
China has greatly contributed to the development of Rwanda in key sectors ranging from investment, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to mining, health, agriculture, defense and security.
Among others, China currently ranks among the top investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors.
In addition to traditional cooperation areas, the two countries enjoy cooperation in e-commerce, trade in high-quality agricultural produce, as well as combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda’s coffee beans are popular on China’s e-commerce platforms.
Rwanda became the first African country to export dried chili to China. Figures released last year show that some 50,000 tons of dried chili were expected to be exported to China in 5 years.
Meanwhile, Amb. Andrew Zumbe of Malawi who also presented credentials to President Kagame said that more efforts will be expended to promote trade for the benefits of both countries’ people.
“I am here to learn what Rwanda is doing right. Rwanda is at the stage where we want to be. So, I will do my best to learn and advise my government what we must do. Besides, there is a lot we can do together like trade and tourism,” he said.
“We need to end this idea that we need to get visas to go to Malawi or come to Rwanda. I think Rwanda has done that and Malawi needs to do the same. Apart from that, there are things to do with the youth and women to empower people,” added Zumbe.
Rwanda and Malawi enjoy cooperation in different areas. In 2021, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) signed an extradition treaty that will see both countries exchanging suspected criminals to face justice.
FDLR was established by remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Congolese Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya has welcomed the report considering it a success in diplomacy because it contains findings in favour of his country’s allegations that Rwandan soldiers are present in DRC.
In late May and early June 2022, the report indicates that RDF conducted operations against rebel groups including FDLR-FOCA and RUD Urunana near Kibumba, in the area between the Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo volcanoes, and against Collectif des mouvements pour le changement /Forces de Défense du Peuple (CMC/FDP) in the areas around Rugari and Rumangabo.
Even though DRC welcomed most of its findings, the report which has not yet been officially published validates several concerns voiced by the Government of Rwanda including the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR.
{{Collaboration between FARDC and armed groups}}
From the last months of 2021, M23 rebel group continued to intensify operations against Congolese Army demanding the government to respect signed peace accords.
Instead of implementing signed accords, FARDC attacked M23 which responded and quelled the government’s army from different bases and seized Bunagana town at DRC’s border with Uganda.
For the past four months, M23 continued to accuse Congolese Army of attacking its bases in collaboration with different armed groups including FDLR.
The collaboration was also confirmed by the Government of Rwanda.
The report of UN Group of Experts reads that some armed groups gathered in Pinga, an area situated between Walikale and Masisi territories in North Kivu on 8th and 9th May 2022 where they forged a coalition.
Initially planned to define the armed groups’ position in relation to the Nairobi process, the report says, the coalition rather took a stand against M23.
The meeting brought together rival armed groups including the Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové (NDC-R) faction of sanctioned individual Guidon Mwisa Shimiray, the Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) represented by Janvier Karairi Buingo, the CMC/FDP led by Dominique Ndaruhuste alias Domi, and the Nyatura-Abazungu (Alliance of Congolese Nationalists for the Defense of Human Rights/ Alliance des forces pour la défense du peuple -ANCDH/AFDP) led by Jean-Marie Bonane.
“Although they do not appear on the outcome documents of the Pinga meeting, the Group was informed that FDLR Colonel Silencieux and FDLR Colonel Potifaro were also present. The Pinga meeting was also attended by FARDC Colonel Salomon Tokolonga [3411th regiment], in charge of operations and military intelligence who can be identified in the pictures of the meeting,” reads part of the report.
It further indicates that two major decisions were taken during the Pinga meeting.
Firstly, it was agreed that, under the agreed truce, armed groups would refrain from attacking each other. Secondly, it was decided to create a coalition to join forces with the FARDC to fight against M23 and its allies. According to witnesses who attended the meeting, armed groups leaders proposed to mobilise close to 600 combatants to support the FARDC under an armed fight qualified as “self-defence”.
“The presence of FARDC Colonel Tokolonga can be interpreted, at least, as an apparent endorsement by some FARDC members of the armed groups’ coalition and the official recognition of the cooperation of some FARDC members with this coalition. The Group met Colonel Tokolonga in Rugari on 7 June 2022, and notes that his hierarchy said it was unaware of the reasons for his prolonged stay in Rugari, a known FDLR and CMC/FDP stronghold, as also observed by the Group,” added the report.
Colonel Tokolonga is a former commander of Mai Mai armed group.
{{Support from FARDC}}
In several documents, videos and audio messages reportedly analysed by the Group, armed group leaders announced the mobilisation of their combatants in the fight against M23. For instance, in three videos of 21st June 2022, CMC/FDP spokesperson Jules Mulumba, surrounded by many armed combatants, expressed CMC/FDP readiness to fight against M23, Rwandan and Ugandan forces, and criticized the DRC Government and MONUSCO for still labelling CMC/FDP as “a negative force”.
The report reads that armed groups’ leaders, combatants and ex-combatants confirmed to the Group their involvement – either alone or jointly with some FARDC soldiers – in the fighting against M23.
“For example, ex-combatants and armed groups leaders reported to the Group that CMC/FDP, APCLS and FDLR combatants fought alongside some FARDC members around Bambu and Rugari in late May and early June 2022,” reads the report in part.
As the report goes, when the FARDC camp in Rumangabo was captured by M23 on 25th May 2022, armed groups’ combatants backed by some FARDC members launched a counterattack on 26th May 2022.
Several sources reported to have seen a group of 150 to 200 FDLR combatants close to the camp in Rumangabo a few hours before the counterattack. Else, the Group of Experts revealed that a video filmed on 26th May 2022 shows a group of armed groups’ combatants in the camp in Rumangabo and chanting slogans.
Moreover, during a meeting with the Group, the CMC/FDP spokesperson claimed victory in the counterattack on the camp in Rumangabo and told the Group that CMC/FDP and FDLR had continued to engage against M23/ARC soldiers in the area around Rumangabo and Rugari.
The Group observed armed groups combatants alongside some FARDC members in the Rumangabo camp on 9th June 2022.
Several ex-combatants and combatants, civil society sources and local authorities reported that following the Pinga meeting, members of the coalition of armed groups received weapons and ammunition from some FARDC members on several occasions.
One eyewitness, civil society actors and one source close to NDC-R Guidon faction informed the Group that, on 30th May 2022, a certain “General” Kassie from APCLS met with a commander of the 34016th regiment in Kitchanga, and received arms and ammunition as well as food stuff.
Another combatant said that his Mai Mai group had received weapons but that the FARDC colonel who had handed over the weapons and ammunition alleged that they had to be returned to the FARDC once M23/ARC was defeated.
“Local authorities, civil society sources, eyewitnesses and DRC security forces attested that since late May 2022, FDLR combatants in and around Rugari were better equipped and wore newly received uniforms,” adds the report.
{{Rockets shelled in Musanze}}
On 23rd May 2022, the Rwandan Government reported cross-border shelling by the FARDC on its territory in Kinigi and Nyange sectors of Musanze district, and in Gahunga sector Burera district. The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) reported a total of eight 122 mm rockets shelled on Rwandan territory, seriously injuring two civilians and damaging infrastructure.
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
The report has however indicated that the EJVM which conducted onsite investigations, could not establish the origin of the artillery shelling.
“According to three independent sources, two of whom with close ties to armed groups active in Rutshuru territory, Colonel Ruvugayimikore Protogène, alias Ruhinda, of FDLR ordered the shelling of Rwandan villages by his troops,” reads an extract from the report.
When contacted by the Group, the report says, the FDLR spokesperson denied the group’s involvement in the shelling.
The group of experts disclosed that it continued its investigations to identify the origin of the artillery shelling which hit Musanze and Burera districts, as well as those
responsible for ordering or executing the shelling.
“The Group notes that the FARDC has 122 mm capability, but that this type of artillery ammunition has not yet been documented by the Group with FDLR,” reveals the report.
{{Denouncing collaboration with FDLR}}
Armed groups involvement, in particular FDLR participation, in operations against M23 was denounced. In a letter dated 6th June 2022 to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General (SRSG) in the DRC and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, M23 president Bertrand Bisimwa denounced the participation of FDLR in the fight with FARDC. On several occasions, the Rwandan Government also accused the FARDC of using FDLR as a proxy.
The FARDC spokesperson of the military governor of North Kivu, General Ekenge, told the Group that the FARDC did not rely on armed groups when fighting against M23 even though he acknowledged that the FARDC faced challenges in mobilising its troops to the adequate level. Likewise, the Sokola II spokesperson in Kiwanja, Rutshuru territory, refuted the M23 claims that the FARDC used proxies.
“However, in late May and early June 2022, Brigadier-General Peter Cirimwami told to reliable sources of the Group that, de facto, the FARDC fought shoulder to shoulder with armed groups against M23,” adds the report.
In a statement of 12th May 2022, President Tshisekedi explicitly denounced the possibility of the FARDC using armed groups as proxies and said, “we do not extinguish fire by throwing oil on it”.
On 6 July 2022, following persistent allegations of the FARDC using local armed groups as proxies in Rutshuru territory, General Cirimwami was reassigned to Ituri province and replaced by General Clément Bitangalo.
{{Hate speeches}}
Since the intensification of M23 operations, the group of experts documented a worrying proliferation of xenophobic and hate speech and discourses inciting discrimination, hostility and violence targeting Rwandophone populations, in particular the Banyamulenge and Tutsi communities, leading at times to acts of violence against members of these communities.
Part of such acts pointed out by the report is a speech in front of his officers on 25th May 2022 where the North Kivu Deputy Police Commissioner, General Aba Van Ang, encouraged civilians to take up machetes to defend Goma against the enemy. Justin Bitakwira Bihona-Hayi, a former national minister and president of the Alliance pour la République et la conscience nationale (ARCN) political party called for every Congolese to stand up against the enemy and for the DRC Government to identify “infiltrators”.
The members of the Banyamulenge and Tutsi communities interviewed by the Group in North Kivu and South Kivu reported that, based on their perceived morphology and language, they were repeatedly told by various individuals, including some FARDC members, that they were not DRC citizens, that they were M23 members or supporting the M23 or Rwanda, and that they should return to Rwanda.
Sometimes, they were also threatened to be cut with machetes.
{{Will Nairobi Process materialize?}}
Recently, it was agreed that joint forces from the East African Community (EAC) will be deployed to disarm armed groups in DRC.
The troops will be deployed to North Kivu, South Kivu, Iruri and Uele provinces.
The report indicates that Tanzania has declined to take part in the force while the DRC authorities requested that Rwanda deploy within its own borders only.
Even though the Government of the DRC expressed, in principle, its support to the planned deployment of the regional force on its territory, several DRC political actors, civil society organizations and armed groups reacted to the planned deployment of the regional force with concern and skepticism.
In the aftermath of M23 taking control of Bunagana, the speaker of the DRC parliament, Christophe Mboso, called for the suspension of the military cooperation with Uganda. FARDC and military intelligence sources pointed to the lack of support to the FARDC from the UPDF when M23 took control of Bunagana questioning the commitment of the Government of Uganda to peace in the DRC.
On 13th June 2022, the Government of the DRC froze bilateral relations with Rwanda.
Some civil society actors have outrightly rejected the planned deployment while others asked for the withdrawal from the regional force of some countries, including Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Some civil society actors as well as political and FARDC sources stressed that the three countries have a record of involvement in proxy wars in the DRC and have had for decades contributed to the chronic instability in the DRC.
Meanwhile, Congolese have been staging protests demanding MONUSCO to leave the country over failure to restore peace despite its presence for 20 years.
