Mukankusi has engaged in Diplomatic works since 2004 when she was deputy to Kayumba Nyamwasa who was Rwanda’s Ambassador to India. She had been issued a diplomatic passport by Rwanda which she couldn’t get renewed when it expired as she had already joined the Rwanda National Alliance, a terrorist group she co-founded with Kayumba Nyamwasa.
News of Uganda issuing the passport to Mukankusi went out after her visit in Kampala where she met with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni whom she presented RNC’s plans to overthrow the Rwandan Government.
Mukankusi’s previous passport indicates that she is a Rwandan who was born on August 10, 1970, in Mbarara, Uganda. She had been issued the diplomatic passport no. PD000223, Service Passport PS009269, and ordinary Passport No. PC061537 and National ID No. 1197070004061075.
Effective from February 11, this year, Mukankusi had been offered the Ugandan official travel documents with the help of Uganda’s President Museveni whom they met during her recent visit to Kampala.
That Mukankusi had no valid passport after the one she was issued by Rwanda was expired impeded her from carrying out her RNC’s diplomatic affairs effectively.
During her visit to Kampala, Charlotte Mukankusi met Museveni twice with whom they held bilateral talks aimed at emphasizing relations between the two sides.
Mukankusi asked Museveni for help in denouncing the report released by UN experts on December 31, last year that revealed the partnership between the Ugandan Government and RNC.
The report highlighted the help RNC gets from Uganda in members recruitment and new recruits who cross from Uganda to Minembwe, DRC where they hold training.
Museveni told Mukankusi he would ‘offer all the possible help’ and told her ‘we are together’. It is said while talking to Museveni, Mukankusi looked self-confident while presenting RNC’s plans which made Museveni happy and promised to keep supporting the group.
It is reported that Museveni showed her the support and asked her to keep looking for new members and said it is necessary to look for ways to divide the Rwandan army.
Museveni’s will to divide the Rwandan army dates back in times when Maj. Alphonse, Patrick Karegeya and Kayumba Nyamwasa fled Rwanda.
Uganda’s supporting groups and people hostile to the Rwandan Government is one of the three problems keeping the countries’ relations stumbling. Uganda has not yet reacted on complaints Rwanda has raised seeking explanations over the issue.
He revealed this yesterday in a talk show ‘Ikaze Munyarwanda’ aired on Radio Flash when asked what Museveni might have told Kenyatta on Rwanda.
“Museveni told him (Kenyatta) that there is no problem,” said Nduhungirehe.
When asked if it is not the right time to seek a mediator between the two countries, Nduhungirehe said mending the relationship is complicated when one side doesn’t agree with the existence of the problem.
“The mediator intervenes between two people whom each did something where everyone commits his involvement to mend relations to be followed by consensus agreements. Today it is not the case. There is no statement from Uganda accepting there is a problem, throwing everything back to us. So, all situations cannot be taken at the same extent,” he said.
President Kenyatta was in Rwanda on Monday where he held talks with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame as he chaired the National Leadership Retreat in Gabiro RDF’s Combat Training Center. Kenyatta left Rwanda for Uganda to meet president Museveni at his office in Entebbe.
The visits took place at a time bilateral relations between Rwanda and Uganda is deteriorating. Rwanda accuses Uganda to support rebel groups intending to destabilize its security, torturing Rwandans and tampering their businesses.
A political analyst and lecturer at the University of Rwanda, Dr. Christopher Kayumba has said that the matter won’t be addressed unless citizens exert pressure to their leaders.
“This matter concerns citizens of Rwanda and Uganda. They are most affected. When there is no free movement so that a citizen can cross the border to sell Irish potatoes he can’t afford means to provide school fees,” he said.
He explained that citizens from both countries must react on it demonstrating how it deteriorates inter-trade and reminding their leaders to address issues on account that they were voted to represent their interests.
However; Nduhungirehe said that Rwandans have no need to put pressure on the government because it did all it could to fix relations yet Uganda demonstrated no commitment.
The government of Rwanda recently advised Rwandans to suspend travels to Uganda following killings, torture, and incarcerations of Rwandans trading in and through Uganda.
He revealed this yesterday as the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) presented the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) which grew by 8.6 percent compared to the previous year with Rwf 8,189 billion in 2018 up from Rwf 7,600 billion in 2017.
The beginning of the year 2018 was characterized by political turbulence between Rwanda, Uganda relations.
Following the worsening situation, Rwandans making a trade in and through Uganda have been killed, arrested, incarcerated without consular access and tortured.
Rwanda has recently requested Rwandans to suspend travels to Uganda until the situation comes back to normal. The decision is likely to bring side effects on inter-trade between the countries where Rwanda imported more than exports to Uganda.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana has told the media that Rwanda is ready to look for other options replacing imports from Uganda.
“There is nothing unusual concerning the trade between Rwanda and Burundi. However; the situation is new between Rwanda and Uganda. Imports from Uganda last year multiplied many times what we exported there. We imported goods worth USD 242 million while our exports were worth USD 27 million,” he said.
“If there is turbulence in reducing the trade, you understand that the big loss comes to the one who exported, who loses the market. The loss would be more inclined to Uganda than Rwanda. Because Uganda was a small market for our exports yet they had multiplied traded goods to us,” he added.
Minister Ndagijimana explained that commodities and cement were among many imports from Uganda and can be ordered from other places.
“It cannot subvert economy. It would be difficult if we are losing the market, being the one exporting more goods. It is not automated to get another market but it becomes easy to buy from wherever when you have money. This means, some goods can be provided locally and from other countries if there is a fall in imports (from Uganda),” he said.
Minister Ndagijimana revealed that trade with Burundi is not on good progress because Rwanda had exports worth USD 12 million and imports worth USD 3 million from and to Burundi last year.
The directive puts Rwanda on the list of countries that have suspended the flights of the airplanes including USA, China, Singapore, and Indonesia among others.
There airplanes have been reportedly involved in two fatal accident over the past five months.
The accident in which Boeing 737-8 Max belonging Ethiopian Airlines was involved took place last Sunday and follows another of the plane belonging to Lion Air Flight from Indonesia which took lives of 189.
RCA has released a statement informing pilots and aircrafts operators of any Boeing 737-8 Max and Boeing 737-9 Max not to conduct any flight in Rwanda’s airspace effective until further notice.
Both crafts belonging to Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air flight involved in fatal accidents recently were brand new and crashed few minutes after taking off.
So far, 50 countries including Rwanda, Tunisia and Ethiopia have suspended these aircrafts.
BK Capital Ltd was first introduced to the market in 2013 as BK Securities Limited; a security brokerage licensed by the Capital Markets Authority. Over time, its portfolio has expanded to offer the following services: Investment & Wealth Management, Corporate Finance & Advisory services, Brokering of capital markets instruments – bonds & equities, Pension Fund’s administration.
Commenting on the launch, BK Group Plc Chairman, Marc Holtzman said that the development was borne out of the institution’s need to tap into Rwanda’s economic landscape and vision of a more robust budget.
“Rwanda’s economic landscape holds so much untapped potential, so we’ve aligned our strategy to capitalize on it. Our priority is expanding our financial services portfolio to make our brand into a One-Stop Center under which those services are available to customers. The country envisions to have a more robust budget, and we are proudly taking a lead.” Holtzman said
After this addition, BK Group now counts 4 main subsidiaries which are namely the Bank of Kigali Plc which provides corporate and retail banking services; BK TecHouse’s whose task is to drive digital innovation through providing connectivity solutions and software and analytics products; BK General Insurance which offers insurance packages including motor, fire, transport & money insurance and more; and BK Capital Ltd.
BK Capital Ltd has entered into a partnership with Swan Group, the leading financial solution provider in Mauritius. The non-insurance cluster of Swan, licensed by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, offers corporate advisory services, asset management services and stock-broking services, has a total asset under management equivalent to 1.4Billion USD and presents extensive expertise in the fund management business in Mauritius with global outreach.
The Bank of Kigali was among the very first banks opened in Rwanda. It was incorporated in 1966 and started operations a year later. The institution was also the first Rwandan bank to list on the Rwanda stock exchange, in June 2011, also becoming the first Rwandan company to cross-list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange last year.
The Group has posted consistent positive growth since it issued its IPO in 2011, largely attributed to a strong management team with extensive banking sector experience, complemented by an experienced and diversified Board of Directors.
In an interview with France Culture, the former head of the French military cooperation mission in Rwanda said he had opposed the support of Paris to President Habyarimana, though efforts were futile.
Aged 84, General Jean Varret had agreed to testify before the France Parliament committee which carried out an investigation on Rwanda in 1998.
The General who had taken time to tell his military career in a book, in which he talked on the role he played in Rwanda in a few pages has decided to testify in front of a microphone and a camera, 25 years after the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsis.
From October 1990 to April 1993, Jean Varret was the head of the Military Cooperation Mission in Rwanda. He explained that he had tried to oppose the support given by the France military to the regime of former Rwandan President Habyarimana that resulted in being removed from the position on pressure from a specific group.
“This group, which I knew certain elements, was pressured to remove me from my responsibilities. These soldiers did not want to take into account the risks of the policy to support Habyarimana. The cooperation was to provide training, equipment, but certainly not to fight. I think another support was more inclined to help in combat,” he said.
General Varret recalled the situation back in November 1990 in a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Rwandan gendarmerie, Colonel Pierre-Célestin Rwagafilita asking for big guns.
“During this meeting, the chief of the gendarmerie asked the support of big guns. I asked him why trying to convince him that gendarmerie is not made to have machine guns. After my refusal, the chief of the gendarmerie told his colleagues: ‘You can go, I’m staying with the general’ and he says to me: ‘We are alone as soldiers and hope we will speak clearly. It is because I am going to use them to neutralize a problem. The problem is very simple: the Tutsi are not the majority. We are going to liquidate them. ‘He told me that clearly and felt horrified. ”
Jean Varret then asked to meet President Habyarimana to whom he expressed his worries.
Upon hearing it, Habyarimana became furious and left the General into confusion wondering whether the secret was leaked by the head of the gendarmerie or he didn’t tell the truth.
General Varret says he immediately updated France Ambassador to Rwanda and the Ministry of Cooperation.
“I did not keep this information for myself,” said General Varret, ” The risk of genocide was on display. This guided all my actions afterward.”
According to the French officer, his efforts were futile as the alert did not elicit any reaction, neither from the military staff nor from the political power.
“My warnings have not been taken into account”, lamented the General Jean Varret.
Jean Varret is not the only one who alerted of the risk of genocide to France as it had been informed by the Foreign Intelligence Service (DGSE) which even had enough information on the shooting of Habyarimana plane.
At the beginning of 1993, the situation was getting worse in Rwanda as the procedure of genocide went up to a notch. In January 1993, the commission of inquiry of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) started collecting pieces of evidence of ethnic massacres.
In February 1993, new killings were perpetrated by Hutu Power extremists linked to President Habyarimana’s political party while the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) stood firm with several attacks to liberate the country.
He said that during that time France reinforced its troops sending a new unit of the 1st Régiment de parachutists d’infanterie de marine (RPIMa) to support the Rwandan army.
General Varret revealed that one day he learned about the intervention when he was inspecting the 1st Military Police and Training Detachment (DAMI) of the 1st RPIMa in the Akagera Park which was under his command.
He came to establish that they had been to Uganda for reconnaissance purposes on RPF soldiers which were against his wishes and considered ‘A red line not to cross’.
“When I learn that,” continues Varret, “I bawl them in. I returned to Paris and received the following message three days later,: ‘The DAMI units are no longer under your orders.’ I took this as a disavowal. I was no longer trusted. ”
In April 1993, General Varret was removed from his post at the Military Cooperation Mission. The Minister of Cooperation, Michel Roussin, announced that he would not be reinstated for a year, as he wished. Jean Varret was replaced by General Huchon.
Removed from his post, Jean Varret refused the honorary proposal made to him and decided to desert from the army.
He said the forced departure was “a chance” for him. “Otherwise, I would have had my share of responsibility, at the time of the genocide, explained the general Varret.”
He observed that “some” civilian or military officials have a “responsibility” in the chain of activities that led to the Genocide Against Tutsis:
“There was still blindness, said Jean Varret. “ No civil or military leader wanted genocide, but some did not take the risk seriously.” He added.
“I did not know how to convince the risk of genocide. I wanted to let France and the West, know how to protect themselves against this risk. France has a responsibility in this affair,” Concluded Jean Varret.
The accusations were however refuted by Amiral Jacques Lanxade in an interview with Radio France and Mediapart.
Amiral Jacques who was the Army Chief of Staff of France Army between 1991-1995 said that there was no blindness.
“I think we were always aware of what could happen. That’s why we were there.” Jean Varret had a reason to say what he said, but we cannot draw the conclusion that we were reckless,” he said.
Laxade said that there are truths which Jean Varret doesn’t know because it was not part of his responsibility that they followed the right choice under the guidance of President Mitterand.
He, however, observed that it is saddening for failure to stop genocide despite their presence in Rwanda.
Among the three main areas of focus during their presence to Rwanda; he said, was a political action to convince Habyarimana to democratize the country, enable negotiations involving in the Arusha Peace Accords and providing support for the army to neutralize RPF attacks.
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During the investigation carried, Radio France and Mediapart newspapers unveiled witness of Walfroy Dauchy who was the head of Red Cross based in Goma towards the end of 1994 at during Operation Turquoise.
He explained that the zone controlled by France in the Western part of the country became a passage for genocidaires on the way to their refuge in DRC.
Walfroy used to fly to Kenya using Goma airport guarded by France soldiers. He witnessed that he met a young man from France aged between 23-25 who worked for his father’s company that supplied arms.
“ He said it to me. I asked him if he felt it was right to supply arms at the time genocide was taking place. The young man replied: ‘This is business. Others would do it if we cancel the supply,” said Walfroy.
He attests to not have seen the weapons but saw boxes containing them and jets from France that carried those weapons. According to Walfroy, all these activities were done in the daylight without concealment.
Responding on the delivery of arms support to genocidaires; the former FranceArmy Chief of Staff Amiral Lanxade replied that he doesn’t know about those weapons that the issue was not discussed among top military leaders.
“There is no evidence for that. There might be weapons that have passed through but I can tell you that France armed forces have nothing to do with it.”
The statement released by Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kuteesa yesterday indicated that Rwandan leaders have prohibited Uganda exports to Rwanda.
The government of Rwanda has today slammed Uganda’s claims considering them untrue.
“It is not possible to have free trade including free movement of goods if traders are killed, tortured, extorted and their property are illegally seized. These are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed. Claims that Rwanda has instituted trade embargo on Uganda are as untrue as they are diversionary,” reads part of the statement released by the government of Rwanda.
Among other fundamental issues pointed out by the statement include the fate of hundreds of Rwandans, whose names are known to the Government of Uganda, who have been killed, arrested, incarcerated without consular access and tortured, nor the close to one thousand illegally deported to Rwanda in inhumane conditions.
The presence of armed groups and terrorist organizations hostile to Rwanda, including RNC, FDLR, and others, who are supported in their activities, including recruitment, by institutions and officials of the Government of Uganda are among other issues of which details have been repeatedly communicated to the Government of Uganda according to the statement.
Uganda has been tasked to clarify the issue of targeting of ordinary Rwandan citizens involved in regular business and trade activities, within the framework of the East African Community and the hampering of the free movement of goods, including perishables, to and through Uganda.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Richard Sezibera recently told IGIHE that there is no established number of Rwandans killed in Uganda noting however that over 40 were arrested in the country while 986 have been expelled.
Rwanda has in the statement released today, assured commitment to free movement in the region and the continent in general.
“Rwanda’s commitment to free movement of people, including Ugandans, goods, and services within the region and on the continent is unquestionable. The Government of Rwanda calls upon the Government of Uganda to address the key issues stated above and as already repeatedly communicated in bilateral settings,” reads the statement.
Macron made the revelation as he spoke to the media on Tuesday during his visit to Ethiopia.
“It is true that Rwanda invited us in commemoration activities. We received the invitation and I am sure that France will be represented,” he said.
Talking to the media yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sezibera said that there is apparent evidence of good relationships between Rwanda and France.
He said that president Macron was invited to join Rwandans in the 25th commemoration of 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi along with other leaders.
It is said that the delegation of France parliamentarians led by Sira Sylla from Senegal will be in Kigali on 7th April 2019.
It is not the first time that France is invited to similar events. The participation is considered a significant milestone for both countries’ bilateral relations which wavered in the past over the role France is accused to have played during the Genocide.
On 11-13, November 2018, President Paul Kagame was in France attending the Forum de Paris Peace Forum on the invitation of Macron.
It was later said that Kagame presented a letter to Macron inviting him to visit Rwanda in 2019.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the only France president who visited Rwanda on 25th February 2010 following the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi.
During the visit on Tuesday, Kagame hosted Kamerhe in Gabiro Combat Training Center located in Gatsibo district, Eastern Province and held talks that revolved around strengthening bilateral ties.
They also discussed on the visits of both heads of states a result to be rooted on good relations.
Speaking to IGIHE, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Richard Sezibera unveiled that the visit of president Tsisekedi in Kigali is expected in the near future.
“Kamerhe came to Rwanda and held talks with a focus on paving the way to maintain good bilateral relations between Rwanda and DRC. Heads of states visits will be possible during that process of promoting and sustaining ties,” he said.
“President Tshisekedi will also visit Rwanda and will be decently welcomed. The visit is scheduled soon possibly during the period of CEO Summit to take place this month,” he added.
The summit known as The Africa CEO Forum is a world-leading, high-level international meeting of African CEOs and will be held in Kigali between March 25th – 26th, 2019.
It is the 7th of its kind and will bring together 1,500 participants (CEOs, heads of governments and potential investors) from more than 70 countries to discuss regional integration including the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
It will be held under the theme: ” Open Africa: From Continental Treaties To Business Realities”.
DRC presidency also reacted via twitter account that Vital Kamerhe was in Kigali on Tuesday to transmit a message from the president to his Rwandan counterpart. The statement to Paul Kagame highlighted the commitment to cooperate in stabilizing the volatile Eastern DRC region.
President Kagame previously held talks with Félix Tshisekedi in February 2019 revolving around bilateral ties as they met in Ethiopia on the second day of the 32 General Assembly of the African Union (AU).
Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi, 55, was confirmed DRC president on 20th January 2019 by the Constitutional Court following elections held on 30th December 2018 rejecting the claim of Martin Fayulu who had contested elections outcomes.
Expectations are high from president Tshisekedi who was elected 20 years after DRC forests became home to rebel groups intending to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
Towards the end of January 2019, Rwanda’s prosecution issued new arrest warrants for Kayumba Nyamwasa and others behind P5 and RNC rebel groups organizing their activities in DRC forests to threaten Rwanda’s security.
DRC forests are also home to FDLR rebels whose majority was involved in the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi.
It speaks volumes about the beastliness of CMI. Rutare has clearly lost a lot of weight, which for one thing indicates they have been starving him.
Those that have seen CMI’s methods of torture – such as Roger Donne Kayibanda who was recently deported after torture in the dungeons of its Mbuya headquarters – describe how victims are given only kawunga (maize gruel) and watery stew they call beans. In most cases, they just throw it on the floor for the victim to eat with bare, unwashed hands.
Rutare also looks gaunt, and there is a haunted look in his eyes – clear signs he has suffered other forms of torture besides starvation.
Eyewitnesses describe how in the dungeons of Mbuya, or in any of CMI’s numerous un-gazetted prisons – the so-called safe houses – there are very many Rwandans, such as Rutare. The eyewitnesses describe how CMI operatives working hand in hand with agents of RNC – the rebel group of Kayumba Nyamwasa, that have been integrated with Ugandan security agencies – beat victimized Rwandans with objects like electricity cables or heavier objects during torture sessions. Very many torture victims have suffered broken bones, arms or legs.
News reports from Uganda this morning, 11 March 2019 were saying the Rwandan national was “loitering near a CMI building”. They did not specify what is meant by “loitering”.
Then the story changed. It said a magistrate court in Nakawa had charged Rutare with “illegal entry” and “illegal stay” in Uganda, and he was released on bail. What they do not tell the public is that charges of illegal entry or illegal stay in Uganda are in violation of EAC Common Market laws on freedom of movement of persons and labor. The laws are clear that citizens of member states are free to enter and leave another member state and cannot be prosecuted for that.
The true measure of how empowered Kampala’s intelligence agencies to feel to harass or persecute Rwandan nationals can be seen in the real reason Rutare was arrested – a term that really is a misnomer for “kidnapped” and “abducted”.
Confidential sources tell us the “illegal entry” and “illegal stay” charges are concocted ones covering up the worst impunity by CMI.
CMI abducted Moses Ishimwe Rutare because he had walked past the house of Brig. Gen. Abel Kandiho, chief of CMI. It happened on 22 December 18 when he went to attend a church fellowship program at the offices of Zoe Ministries Church in Bugolobi together with his friend, Eunice Isure. Zoe Ministries is nearby the house of Kandiho, whose address is Bungalow 3, Luthuli Drive, Bugolobi.
During prayers, Rutare got a phone call from his mother, at around 12:50 pm and stepped outside, not to disrupt the prayers. He walked along Luthuli Avenue talking on the phone, unknowingly approaching Kandiho’s house.
According to reports, the CMI operatives there have given themselves the power to stop people that walk by their feared boss’s house; and to question passersby at random. The men that stopped Ishimwe were armed but in civilian attire. When they asked him to identify himself and Moses told them he was a Rwandan they immediately put him under arrest.
He explained why he was there to no avail. To CMI operatives, being a Rwandan is enough of an offense to be transported to their Mbuya headquarters, or any of the places of illegal detention they run, for torture. That is what happened to Rutare.
The cases of Rutare and many others illustrate how determined to lie, Ugandan officials when they claim that “no Rwandans have been tortured or harassed in Uganda”.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said that in his recent “statement on Uganda, Rwanda relations”. The facts on the ground show in the clearest terms that he was telling a complete lie.
The country’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Kahinda Otafiire said, “No Rwandan national has been mistreated, illegally detained or tortured by Ugandan authorities. Advocates of Rwandan torture victims showed proof he is not telling the truth.
The advocates – Eron Kiiza, Eric Kavuma, and Simon Peter on Monday, 11 March 19 – said that a number of their Rwandan clients have been subjected to torture and detention with no treatment. They named some of their clients that have suffered torture as Rene Rutagungira, Iyakaremye Claude, Rwamucyo Emmanuel, and Rutayisire Augustine. “They were roughly arrested, illegally detained (beyond 48 hours) sometimes months, and even tortured,” said Eron Kiiza.
He added: “though civilians, they were belatedly charged and arraigned in the General Court Martial where their trial is dragging with no sign of getting bail.
“Another group of Rwandans were illegally deported with no form of hearing and dumped at the border in pitiable medical condition after torture in detention.”
{{This article was first Published on [VirungaPost
}->https://virungapost.com/2019/03/11/shocking-photos-of-rwandan-cmi-torture-victim-speak-volumes/]}
