Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Portal Welby with students during
the a visit to Sonrise High School

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Portal Welby has lauded development projects championed by the Anglican Church of Rwanda.

Archbishop Welby and his wife Caroline Eaton Welby have been in the country for a five-day tour, where they visited different development projects championed by Shyira Diocese in Musanze District, Northern Province.

Some of the projects inspected by the head of Anglican Communion in the world include a commercial building -NOVA MARKET COMPLEX, a yet-to-be commissioned Muhabura Integrated Technical College, Sonrise High School as well as St. John Baptist Cathedral.

Archbishop Welby praised Shyira Diocese for the work they have accomplished.

While at Sonrise High School, the Archbishop prayed for students and acknowledged the cleanliness around the school.

“I have travelled to Africa for the last 40 years, but I have never seen neat students like you,” he said.

Shyira Diocese Bishop, Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda said that Sonrise High School is one of the success projects that have contributed towards education in the country.

Archbishop Welby was in the country on the invitation of Rwanda’s Anglican Church Archbishop, Onesphore Rwaje.

Last Sunday, the Canterbury Archbishop presided over a prayer service St. Etienne Cathedral in Kigali, which was attended by top government officials including the prime Minister.

Former head of communications in Green Party Omar Leo Oustazi

A former head of communications unit in the opposition Green party has resurfaced after going missing last year, and accused party President of attempting to ruin his life.

Drama unfolded in January last year, when Green party officials reported to security organs that their communications secretary, Omar Leo Oustazi had gone missing.

Few days after Omar’s disappearance, Green Party announced his dismissal from the party, accusing him of displaying highest level of “irresponsible behaviour.”

In the same period, a section of party officials and government critics went on social media and other communication channels linking Omar’s disappearance to the work of government agents.

The Green party leadership immediately informed all government agencies and diplomatic missions in Kigali, calling on immediate investigations into the case.

Police’s first trace of Omar

In February last year, the Rwanda National Police said its investigations had indicated that Omar was in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura saying it had no reason to continue pursuing what it termed a ‘stage managed disappearance.’

Later, Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana said that Police would not “keep incurring public resources following up on faked missing persons reports or staged disappearing acts.”

Police further insisted that Oustazi was still active on social media especially Facebook, even as some people said his captors were behind the posts.

Oustazi accuses party president of betrayal

After dramatically returning to the country, Omar was on Tuesday presented before the media to narrate his ordeal at Police headquarters in Kacyiru.

The former Green party official told journalists that he fled the country after learning of a plot by his colleagues in the party to kill him and then pin his murder on government.

The former Green Party senior official singled out party President, Frank Habineza of being the key architect behind his murder plot.

He accused Habineza of trying to oust him from his position several times because they could rock horns disagreeing on several issues regarding party agendas.

“To be honest, I fled the country to save my life that was being targeted by my own colleague (Habineza) and other party officials who were against the government.

This started after disagreeing with them on some of fabricated reports they were publishing in the opposition media outlets like Radio Itahuka and Umunyarwanda. Some of these publications didn’t make up to the party line of communication and realized that they were up to dangerous plans,” said Oustazi.

“I was following whatever was being said. There was a lot of speculation on social media, especially Facebook. People were saying that I had been killed by government, but all that was designed to cover up the true intentions by some of my colleagues in the party,” added Oustazi.

Admitting prior Police trace of him

Speaking to reporters, Oustazi admitted to prior police investigations which indicated he was in Burundi days after he went missing.

“It’s true. I spent most of the time in Nairobi, Kenya, where I arrived after a brief stay in Burundi and Tanzania.”

Asked what tempted him to decide on his return to the country despite fleeing for fear of his life back home, Oustazi said that: “I first telephoned Criminal Investigations Department (CID) chief Theos Badege last month to inform him about my fear and the latter assured me of a guaranteed safety if I returned home.

I also thought I needed not to remain a refugee because one or two people had threatened my life, that’s why I had to return home, I believe this is a law-abiding country,” said Oustazi.

Habineza refutes accusations

In a couple of posts on his facebook wall, the opposition Green party president, Frank Habineza said of his former communications secretary that: “Omar Leo was relieved from his duties as Communication Secretary last year after making several irresponsible communications on social media. He therefore, does not belong to the party. All his allegations are naked lies,” said Habineza

Habineza went to add in the media that: “We were also surprised as a party by the circumstances under which he fled the country, maybe he just didn’t want to be seen as if he’s opposed to government.”

Police says Oustazi welcomed like any other citizen

Yesterday, Police said Oustazi was welcome back just like any other citizen.

“At least the wrong impression and speculations caused by his alleged disappearance will be no more. His return vindicates us,” said Emmanuel Kabanda, a Police communications officer.

Mugihe hari hashize amezi 3 imirenge ya Nyakarenzo na Nkombo itagira abajyanama bayihagarariye muri jyanama y’akarere ka Rusizi, komosiyo y’igihugu y’amatora yatangije igikorwa cy’amatora kuri abo bajyanama kuwa 03/02/2013, ni mugihe hari hashize iminsi igera kuri 5 abakandida biyamamariza iyi myanya.

Aho twabashije kugera ni mu murenge wa Nyakarenzo  tuganira n’abaturage batandukanye bavuye mu tugari tw’uwo murenge bavuga ko amatora ari kugenda neza ntamuvundo kuko ngo bari kwitorera umujyanama bishakiye kandi babona uzabagirira akamaro

Aya matora yatangiye saa moya arangira saa cyenda z’umugoroba , nyuma yaya, ubwo aba bajyanama rusange b’iyi mirenge bazaba bamaze kuboneka  biteganyijwe ko abazaba batsinze barara bamenyekanye nyuma yo kubarura amajwi ,tariki ya 06 Gashyantare aba bajyanama bazitoramo komite nyobozi  y’inama jyanama y’akarere ka Rusizi izatorwamo abayobozi bungirije b’aka karere ushinzwe ubukungu n’imibereho myiza y’abaturage  baherutse kwegura kunshingano za Leta bari bafite.

Abakandida 14 nibo bari guhatanira iyo myanya y’ubukandida rusange ku mirenge ya Nkombo na Nyakarenzo gusa mu murenge wa nyakarenzo hakaba hari hiyamamaje abakandida 9 aho umwe witwa Iyakaremye Dapferose yaje kwikuramo ariko kumarisiti y’itora akaba yaje kuri urwo rutonde, abaturage bamwe twaganiriye bavuga ko batasobanuriwe ko uwo mukandida yavuyemo abandi bakavuga ko babisobanuriwe .

Aho twabisanze ni kucyumba cy’itora kiyobowe na Bonifaci Habimana  akaba ari nawe ukuriye amatora kuri site yahuriyeho utugari 2 twa Karangiro na Rusambu aho avuga ko ngo uwo muturage Atari ahari igihe basobanuriye abandi Nyamara abaturage baza gutora mubihe bitandukanye gusa ngo ijwi ry’uyu mu kandida kubamutoye riba Imfabusa ariko nanone kikaba igihombo kubari kuritorwaho.

Icyakora aba baturage bavuga ko ngo basobanukiwe n’impamvu y’aya matora y’umwihariko ku mirenge yabo dore ko ngo hari hashize iminsi itari myinshi bavuye muyandi y’intumwa za rubanda.

Imirenge ya Nyakarenzo na Nkombo ifite amasite 9 ari gukorerwaho amatora aho Nyakarenzo ifite amasite 4 naho Nkombo ikagira amasite 5.

Clémentine Nakure, one of the key witnesses in Simbikangwa trial (Photo by FRANCE 24)

 Twenty years after the Genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda, the first historic trial of a former top Rwandan intelligence officer started on Tuesday at Paris court. FRANCE 24 went to meet up with two of the victims and a repented killer in Kigali who came face to face with the man who decided the fate of tens of thousands.

In the dock: 54 year-old Pascal Simbikangwa, former chief of intelligence services at the Rwandan presidency, has been paraplegic since a traffic accident in 1986. This former army officer stands accused of complicity in the genocide and crimes against humanity. He is accused of having incited, organized and helped the massacres that claimed more than a million lives in a hundred days between April and July 1994, namely by supplying arms to militiamen operating at checkpoints put up in downtown Kigali. The accused, who denies all the charges, risks serving a life imprisonment.

In Rwanda, few people have accepted to testify in this trial. Clémentine Nakure is one of the rare women to have accepted to speak of Pascal Simbikangwa’s role during the Genocide. In August 1993, this businesswoman was travelling to the North of the country. She affirms having been kidnapped without a reason by men under orders from the former Captain (Pascal Simbikangwa). Still shock-stricken, she affirms having been beaten up for about an hour.

“When I arrived in the office of Simbikangwa, he had a pistol and a club. He accused me of working for RPF intelligence services,” narrates Nakure in reference to the Rwanda Patriotic Front, rebel group at the time.

“I answered him, ‘I don’t even know what you are talking about’. After each answer, he hit me with a butt of the pistol. Every time that I repeated to him, ‘Forgive me, I am not a spy’, he continued to hit me again and again”.

“Death Squad”

At the time, journalists were also suffering the worst from the Hutu regime. Some of the hard-hitting (critical) articles are now kept in Kigali at the Center for Training and Cooperative Research, Iwacu. Sam Gody, a former editor-in-chief, is one of the key witnesses to the acts of the former Captain. He claims to have been imprisoned and tortured for four days for publishing an editorial that designated Simbikangwa as the chief of the death squad.

“On the fourth day, Captain Simbikangwa summoned me into his office for the fourth time,” said Gody.

“He then told me, ‘I forgive you, but with a condition. You can write whatever about the President of the Republic, you can write whatever about Ministers, about the MRND [National Revolutionary Movement for Development, party of former President Juvénal Habyarimana], but you must no longer ever talk about the death squad”.

“He was someone influential – a Captain”

Pascal Simbikangwa may have supervised the checkpoints at Kiyovu, in downtown Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where Tutsis were either arrested or executed. Thousands of people were massacred at these spots.

“He was someone influential – a Captain. He used to move around in a car, giving orders, all instructions”, said Emmanuel, a former Interahamwe militiaman who affirms having obeyed orders from the former Captain. “He used to say that Tutsis had to die. He went through all the quarters of the town to give us his instructions”.

After nine years in prison, Emmanuel has come back to normal life. He is a driver of a Moto-taxi, but his memories of the massacres are now even fresher than ever (before), in the build-up to the 20^th commemoration of the Genocide.

L-R Senator Jim Inhofe, Senator Inhofe’s daughter, First Lady of Rwanda, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana at the Leadership Dinner

The first Lady, Jeannette Kagame, has said that Rwandans opted to “swallow the bitter pill” in order to heal themselves faster and get out of the  horrible consequences of a tragic 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The First Lady was speaking at a leadership dinner hosted by Sen. James Inhofe from Oklahama State. It was hosted in Washington DC.

Delivering a speech on the topic: “The Role of Prayer and the impact it has had on our success in Rwanda.” The First Lady told the audience that as the year 2014 marks the 20^th commemoration since the horrific Genocide against the Tutsi.

As a result of the tragic Genocide, First Lady said that Rwandans realized that Genocide did not benefit a single Rwandan; neither the masterminds and perpetrators and certainly not the victims, hence taking up the decision to “Swallow the bitter pill and heal faster.”

“2014 marks the 20^th commemoration since the horrific Genocide against the Tutsi. What Rwanda went through in 1994, was the culmination of over three decades of systematic classification, dehumanization, persecution and extermination of a targeted group of people.

When all was said and done, the Genocide did not benefit a single Rwandan; neither the masterminds and perpetrators and certainly not the victims. The net result was a complete collapse of family, church and state, as well as a society intoxicated with bitterness and mistrust.”

Mrs. Kagame said that families were torn apart; thousands of innocent people were brutally murdered, in so-called sacred places of worship; the state whose mandate it is to protect citizens, sponsored, planned and implemented the genocide.

“The numbers are shocking; Hundreds of thousands of women were systematically raped, 300,000 – 400,000 people survived the genocide; 50,000 widows and 75,000 inconsolable orphans, 650,000 internally displaced persons.

Two million refugees fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo after the Genocide, held as hostages and used as shields, by the extremist Genocide regime, bent on finishing their work,1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu men, women, and children who were supposed to be part of our future and not our past, were massacred in 100 dark days,” said the First Lady.

She added: “Our faith was tested. There is a saying in Kinyarwanda that goes “Imana yirirwa ahandi, igataha mu Rwanda.” Loosely translated to mean “God spends the day elsewhere and returns home to rest in Rwanda”.

In 1994, we lamented and often wondered where this God had gone. We questioned 1 Corinthians 10:13 which teaches us that: “God does not give us more than we can bear”.

“What our nation endured, was an overwhelming cross to bear. We bear a responsibility to reconcile people to God; we are called to reconcile people to each other. What choices could we make to restore the humanity and sanity that had vanished? Would people ever trust one another?

To mend this brokenness, to restore confidence and credibility in our institutions, we had to carry out deep soul searching. The leadership often had to make tough, unpopular decisions. We, however, understood, that it was in the best interest of our people and our country. We swallowed the bitter pill to help us heal faster, as opposed to going for the band aid therapy.”

Addressing the gathering, the First Lady highlighted some of the examples that were met with resistance.

“Let me share some examples of necessary choices that were met with resistance: Gacaca was a value based court system, that promoted restorative rather than punitive justice, for both Genocide survivors and perpetrators;

Restoration of property to families of genocide perpetrators, despite the urge to redistribute that property to survivors who were wronged and lost their families and property, due to the Genocide; 40,000 prisoners who committed genocide were released due to old age, under a compassionate plea; Laws were put in place to forbid revenge killings.

Those who exacted revenge; knew the fate that awaited them and some took their own lives. Capital punishment was abolished; this was unusual for a nation emerging from genocide.  In my view, going beyond personal suffering prevented Rwanda from becoming a failed state.

We opted instead to embark on a road to recovery.  As we began the journey towards nation building, we discovered that infrastructure could be fixed with enough resources and human capacity.”

With all the above resistance met while Rwandans forged a new way to reconciliation and development, the First Lady told the gathering that on the opposite end of the spectrum, healing hearts and building people’s psyche was a generational undertaking.

The first Lady said that Rwandans quickly realized that what unites them is far greater than what divides them.

“We challenged ourselves to be a voice of unity and reconciliation. We are working towards a collective consciousness of who we are as one people. We have transcended peaceful co-existence to becoming a truly integrated and cohesive community.

To foster social cohesion, last year we embarked on a national process that we called “Ndi Umunyarwanda” or “I am Rwandan”. The idea behind “Ndi Umunyarwanda” is to engage all Rwandans in a critical and truthful self-examination exercise, through open conversation.

 It is about understanding and strengthening the Rwandan spirit, with our dignity taking center stage. It is an important step in creating trust after what Rwandans went through. Ndi Umunyarwanda is about Rwandan’s taking responsibility for their destiny.

“I am reminded of Dr. Ben Carson’s remarks during the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast. In his speech Dr. Carson mentioned that we are getting too sensitive; and it is keeping people from expressing what they truly believe. Ndi Umunyarwanda is such a platform where political correctness and sensitivities are secondary to speaking the truth, value-sharing, and understanding our history.

Without social harmony, a nation cannot progress towards socio-economic transformation. This is what we are fighting for and we are determined to win. Rwandan unity is a source of energy for our development.

Last month, at the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship Prayer Breakfast, where the country’s leaders gather periodically to pray for the nation, President Kagame encouraged leaders ‘not to waste the tragedy,”

 His statement was in reference to the Genocide against Tutsi. Although, we cannot erase our tragic past, Ndi Umunyarwanda is about turning this tragedy into triumph based on 4 pillars: history, testimony, truth and trust and healing through forgiveness.

20 years marks tremendous progress  

The first Lady emphasized that despite the tragic genocide, Rwandans have worked together to build a new country.

“In just 20 short years, Rwanda has done well on several fronts such as Gender parity with 64 percent female representation in parliament; Ease of doing business, with a ranking of 3^rd easiest economy to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa where it takes 6 hours to register a business in Rwanda.

Globally, Rwanda is ranked 6^th for having the best prison rehabilitation programs. We respect the rule of law, even behind bars. This incredible rise from the ashes did not just happen by mistake. All credit goes to our citizens, who have engaged their hearts, heads and hands to work for and own the process of progress.

Our success comes from the vision of an informed leadership, and certainly the hand of God. I ask that we join hands in human solidarity. “May God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference”.

“This prayer, originally authored by an American Theologian, (Reinhold Neibuhr) speaks to God’s hand in Rwanda’s rebirth. We stand by the belief that God granted us the serenity, the courage and the wisdom to lift ourselves from the depths of evil, to the optimism of a new dawn.”

Mu gihe mu karere ka Rusizi hitegurwa kwakira urumuri rutazima kuwa  07/02/2014, SHEMA Lambert umuyobozi w’umuco na Siporo mu karere ka Rusizi yavuze ko imyiteguro igeze kure mubikorwa byose Aho yatangaje ko  gutegura abana bazaririmba indirimbo y’urumuri  n’izindi service nko kubaka akazu kazabikwamo urumuri  ngo bigeze kure.

Shema yasabye abayobozi bafite mu nshingano gukurikirana iki gikorwa kugirango hatazagira igihungabanya uyu muhango bikaba sakirirego mu karere , abashinzwe gukurikirana iki gikorwa  bunguranye ibitekerezo aho basabwe kugishyiramo imbaraga kuko kidasanzwe mu turere.

Umuyobozi ushinzwe umuco na Siporo kandi Yerekanye ko nta mpungenge zihari mu imyiteguro y’iki gikorwa aho avuga ko  inzego zose zakoze ibyo zashinzwe haba kuruhare rwaba Exectif b ‘imirenge ko bateguye neza abaturage inzego, inzego z’umutekano ,iz’ubuvuzi ,iz’urubyiruko n’izindi.

Michel  umukozi ushinzwe Cenerge mu turere twa Rusizi na Nyamasheke yasabye abayobozi gushishikariza abazatanga ubuhamya baba abarokotse Jenoside ndetse n’abatarahigwaga kuzatanga ubuhamya nyabwo bugaragaza aho abanyarwanda bavuye naho bageze kuko hari abagera imbere y’abantu bagatinya kuvuga ukuri kw’ibyo babonye bari bahagaze imbere bagatangira kuvuga ibindi.

Rwema Simon ushinzwe gukurikirana iki gikorwa hirya no hino kurwego rw’igihugu yasabye ko badakwiye kuzabuza abaturage ibikorwa byabo ko ababishaka kubushake bwabo  aribo bazaza kwakira urumuri mu rwego rwo kugirango abantu bumveko ari igikorwa umuntu adahatirwa kuko ngo ngo umuco wo kwinginga abantu kugikorwa nkiki buri wese agomba kumva ko ari icye atabihatiwe akacyitabira

Rwema Simon  yanasabye abashinzwe iki gikorwa kuzitwararika mu gutwara uru rumuri rutazima kuko ngo nubwo rwitwa ko rutazima bishoboka ko  rwazima kuko ngo hari aho byabaye  aha akaba yavuze ko hakwiye gutegurwa bigengesera neza ukuzatwarwa k’urumuri kugirango rutazabazimana kandi rudakwiye kizima akaba ari muri urwo rwego yabasabye kuzarucunga neza.

Gusa urubyiruko rurasabwa kuzitabira iki gikorwa kuko arirwo nzira ikomeye yo gukomeza kubaka igihugu cyabo mubihe biri imbere.

Repatriated FDLR fighters undergoing re-integration at Mutobo camp

A contradiction has emerged on reports of the exact number of FDLR combatants being repatriated to Rwanda by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and those given by Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).

According to MONUSCO, about 31 combatants from different rebel groups operating in DRC were received in January, among them 19 FDLR fighters.

However, the available information shows that exact number of FDLR fighters reported to have been repatriated to Rwanda remains contrary to what MONUSCO provides.

In a press conference held on February 5, 2014, MONUSCO leadership told the media that 29 combatants from different rebel groups surrendered last month.

MONUSCO further said that among the rebels surrendered were 2 from Mayi-Mayi Nyatura, 4 from Mayi-Mayi Rahiya Mutomboki; 17 from FDLR, 5 from Mayi-Mayi Nziza and another fighter from APCLS rebel group. In addition to the above FDLR fighters were also two other fighters captured on February 1 in Minova on February 1.

MONUSCO added that all fighters who surrendered were operating in areas of Sake, Otobora, Kiwanja, Tongo, Nyanzale and Lubero and Kashebere.

Among the FDLR fighters who MONUSCO says surrendered, only 9 fighters were handed over to Rwanda on February 6, including one Mayi-Mayi fighter, leaving behind the question of where the remaining number of FDLR fighters branched.

In an interview with Kigali Today news website, a section of FDLR combatants who were repatriated to Rwanda said that there was no other fighter left in a transit camp where they were temporarily sheltered before coming to Rwanda. This information raises questions of where other 9 FDLR fighters could have vanished to.

MONUSCO-RDRC reports contradicting

While MONUSCO reports that it has reintegrated 1 2, 310 FDLR combatants and 11, 312 families since 2002, reports from Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) on numbers of former FDLR combatants repatriated is different.

According to Mutobo-based reintegration camp in Musanze District, Northern Province, the number of former FDLR combatants who laid down their weapons with the help of Monusco and returned home is only 11,000.

According to sources at Mutobo, all fighters who surrender to MONUSCO do not only belong to FDLR faction. There are other people who surrender on FDL ticket yet they are not. As well as other Congolese nationals who fake their Rwandan origin to profit opportunities given to Rwandans returning home.

Combatants blame MONUSCO’s disarmament strategy

According to members of FDLR faction, the way MONUSCO handles their weapons and ammunition is not productive.

“Though different groups decide to surrender and handover weapons to MONUSCO, they later (MONUSCO) send them (weapons) to FARDC who are their major customers for weapons and ammunition. FADRC soldiers are the ones who sell us weapons. This system by MONUSCO is not productive,” said a former FDLR combatant.

One of the FDLR-RUD repatriated fighters commanded by Gen. Musare who operates in Walikare said they that there has been ongoing trade of weapons and ammunitions between different rebel groups and Congolese National Army (FARDC).

“They (FARDC) sold weapons and ammunition to us (FDLR) two times. This trade is always carried out secretly between them and many rebel groups operating in DRC. The main players in this game are members of FDLR who are integrated in FARDC.

This illegal trade of weapons is mostly dominant in the areas of Ruhafu where FDLR-RUD recruitment is carried out by Col.Jean Michel and Col. Rugema who are Gen. Musare’s deputy commanders,”  said the fighter.

FDLR is a group of insurgents, largely made up of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and has been in eastern DRC for the last 15 years.

FDLR fighters have been blamed for committing atrocities against civilians (Photo BBC)

One fateful day, in 2011, Richard Mutarutinya, a young Rwandan who was living with his parents in the neighbouring Uganda received a strange call from an anonymous person.

Talking to the caller, the young man was requested by the person to meet him (caller) for a ‘productive’ conversation.

Without informing any of his family members, Mutarutinya had to rush to the agreed venue where he was supposed to meet the person.

“I could not resist meeting this person since I was in daring need of employment,” narrates Mutarutinya

When Mutarutanya who has since returned back to Rwanda finally reached at the meeting venue, he surprisingly landed on a group of his other village mates.

“They were excitedly seated with other people that I couldn’t recognize well. But since I was with them, I felt comfortable and ready for the meeting agenda,” says Mutarutinya.

A few minutes later, the official meeting started. Mutarutinya and his friends were assured of a possible wealth if they accepted to be taken to Democratic Republic of Congo for white color jobs.

“This is how I was convinced. I knew wealth was coming my way in the near future.”

How life turned sour

It took Mutarutinya only one day to cross the Ugandan border to DRC before facing a harsh and terrorising life style. All those who promised him miracles had turned into animals, he says.

“En route to DRC, after we crossed the Ugandan border, everyone started realizing something strange was going to happen. Those who formally seduced and promised us wonders turned against us. The new command was to join FDLR.”

Because of intense threats against them, some of Munyarutinya’s group members started shouting and wanted a return home. However, those who screamed a return home were instead killed as a sign of terrorizing those who could attempt to follow suit.

“When we reached DRC, we were forced to join FDLR-RUD rebel group. Most of my friends started demanding to be returned back home and many among them lost their lives.

The genesis of FDLR bush life and threats

Mutarutinya says he is a living testimony today, after escaping death several times in the hands of what he called his commanders.

“Being a Rwandan recruit in FDLR is risking your own life. You walk with death because anytime your commanders can kill you on suspicion of being a Rwandan spy. I witnessed many of my fellow recruits being killed with my own eyes,” says Mutarutinya.

According to him, being an FDLR soldier doesn’t mean your task is only on the battle field. His main job in the rebel group was to grow food crops that feed his commanders.

“Even though you get recruited in FDLR as a soldier, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be tasked to do other things. For instance, I was tasked to lead a team that would be charged with stealing food crops from nearby villages. I decided to grow them (food crops) myself instead of fighting with civilians to get food,” he says

Richard Mutarutinya is among the 9 former FDLR fighters who were repatriated to Rwanda this month (Photo S. Sebuharara)

Because of a new assignment, Mutarutinya was given the chance to stay close to his crops in Mashyuta area which was under the command of Capt. Kije Joseph.

Unfortunately, Mutarutinya was later redeployed and joined a group of FDLR soldiers charged with guarding FDLR-RUD commander, Gen. Musare after his former commander was killed by lightening.

Witnessing brutal killings of former Rwandan students

Mutarutinya recalls witnessing a big number of FDLR recruits who were accused of being Rwandan spies.

“A few days after joining Gen. Musare’s company, I witnessed horrible killings of fellow recruits. Out of 24 young men who were forcefully recruited into FDLR, 17 of them, formerly secondary students were killed before me on suspicion that they were Rwandan spies,” says a visibly regretting Mutarutinya.

He adds: “It is absurd to see a comfortably living secondary school boy being seduced and recruited into FDLR to live in those thick forests with hard life just because he wants to be a soldier. I take this opportunity to warn fellow youth that there is nothing good in joining FDLR apart from dedicating your life to permanent agony mixed with forced labour.”

Turning focus on return to Rwanda

After witnessing the brutal killing of his fellow recruits, Mutarutinya started a secret plan of returning back to his motherland.

“It is not an easy project to plan escaping FDLR leaders. You need to do it in a highly secretive way, otherwise they can immediately kill you in case they realize of your escape plans. They kill you to purposely give a clear message to anyone attempting to do the same,” he says.

The killing of FDLR suspected defectors is also testified by Jean Shyaka, another former combatant who witnessed the same killing in Sinayi sector, an area controlled by FDLR.

“I witnessed the killing of two FDLR fighters who had defected in 2009 and later returned back this year. They were killed on grounds that they were no longer trusted.”

Shyaka calls on fellow Rwandan youth especially those living near Ugandan borders to desist any form of persuasion by FDLR agents to recruit them.

Other main target of FDRL recruits, according to Shyaka, is Rwandans living in refugee camps in Uganda. He says that the camps are full of FDLR agents who persuade young men on promises to give them well paying jobs in DRC.

FDLR accused of rape, looting and killing civilians

Local residents living in Luofu village, just metres away from FDLR territory, accuse rebels of mass killings, rape and looting. The village has been dominated FDLR for the past decade.

Speaking to BBC, village residents said that FDLR rebels extort money from locals, pillaged farmers’ harvests and set up road blocks, demanding money or goods from anyone travelling through.

The residents also accuse the Congolese army (FARDC) of collaborating with FDLR, leaving locals to fend for themselves.

“At one point, they [FDLR] came to burn the villages… more than 200 houses,” Eric Kambale, a trainee priest at Luofu parish told BBC.

“People burned inside, can you imagine? It terrified people. The Congolese army was one kilometre away when that happened.” He added

Repatriated FDLR fighters undergoing re-integration at Mutobo camp

A contradiction has emerged on reports of the exact number of FDRL combatants being repatriated to Rwanda by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and those given by Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).

According to MONUSCO, about 31 combatants from different rebel groups operating in DRC were received in January, among them 19 FDRL fighters.

However, the available information shows that exact number of FDRL fighters reported to have been repatriated to Rwanda remains contrary to what MONUSCO provides.

In a press conference held on February 5, 2014, MONUSCO leadership told the media that 29 combatants from different rebel groups surrendered last month.

MONUSCO further said that among the rebels surrendered were 2 from Mayi-Mayi Nyatura, 4 from Mayi-Mayi Rahiya Mutomboki; 17 from FDLR, 5 from Mayi-Mayi Nziza and another fighter from APCLS rebel group. In addition to the above FDRL fighters were also two other fighters captured on February 1 in Minova on February 1.

MONUSCO added that all fighters who surrendered were operating in areas of Sake, Otobora, Kiwanja, Tongo, Nyanzale and Lubero and Kashebere.

Among the FDRL fighters who MONUSCO says surrendered, only 9 fighters were handed over to Rwanda on February 6, including one Mayi-Mayi fighter, leaving behind the question of where the remaining number of FDRL fighters branched.

In an interview with Kigali Today news website, a section of FDRL combatants who were repatriated to Rwanda said that there was no other fighter left in a transit camp where they were temporarily sheltered before coming to Rwanda. This information raises questions of where other 9 FDRL fighters could have vanished to.

MONUSCO-RDRC reports contradicting

While MONUSCO reports that it has reintegrated 1 2, 310 FDRL combatants and 11, 312 families since 2002, reports from Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) on numbers of former FDRL combatants repatriated is different.

According to Mutobo-based reintegration camp in Musanze District, Northern Province, the number of former FDLR combatants who laid down their weapons with the help of Monusco and returned home is only 11,000.

According to sources at Mutobo, all fighters who surrender to MONUSCO do not only belong to FDLR faction. There are other people who surrender on FDL ticket yet they are not. As well as other Congolese nationals who fake their Rwandan origin to profit opportunities given to Rwandans returning home.

Combatants blame MONUSCO’s disarmament strategy

According to members of FDRL faction, the way MONUSCO handles their weapons and ammunition is not productive.

“Though different groups decide to surrender and handover weapons to MONUSCO, they later (MONUSCO) send them (weapons) to FARDC who are their major customers for weapons and ammunition. FADRC soldiers are the ones who sell us weapons. This system by MONUSCO is not productive,” said a former FDRL combatant.

One of the FDRL-RUD repatriated fighters commanded by Gen. Musare who operates in Walikare said they that there has been ongoing trade of weapons and ammunitions between different rebel groups and Congolese National Army (FARDC).

“They (FARDC) sold weapons and ammunition to us (FDRL) two times. This trade is always carried out secretly between them and many rebel groups operating in DRC. The main players in this game are members of FDRL who are integrated in FARDC.

This illegal trade of weapons is mostly dominant in the areas of Ruhafu where FDRL-RUD recruitment is carried out by Col.Jean Michel and Col. Rugema who are Gen. Musare’s deputy commanders,”  said the fighter.

FDLR is a group of insurgents, largely made up of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and has been in eastern DRC for the last 15 years.

Joseph Nshyimyimana with his lawyer

Joseph Nshimiyimana, an FDLR terror suspect co-accused with Lt Joel Mutabazi, yesterday surprised military court Judges when he declined to speak during his trial.

The trial of Lt Joel Mutabazi, accused of treason and terrorism along with 15 others resumed yesterday at the Military High Court in Kanombe.

While being questioned by Judges on crimes against him, Nshimiyimana instead maintained silence. It took Judges several minutes trying to convince him to speak but the suspect stood by his decision by refusing to respond to some of the questions asked by Judges.

Nshimiyimana, a member of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), is accused, among other crimes, of coordinating grenade attack plots in Kigali, especially two grenade explosions that claimed one person and injured 14 others in Kicukiro market.

The suspect is allegedly accused of coordinating these grenade attacks under the command of Lt Joel Mutabazi.

Appearing before the Military High Court, Nshimiyimana who had initially pleaded guilty to all the charges took a dramatic move to plead not guilty to all of them.

“I am not guilty of anything; I did not commit any crime and I won’t stand trial until I get a clear explanation of why I am here,” Nshimiyimana surprisingly told court.

Among other crimes, Nshimiyimana is also charged with spreading rumours with intent to incite the public to rise up against the state, illegal possession of a firearm, terrorism, formation of an armed group, murder and crimes against the state.

Lawyer surprised by his client’s change of mind

Nshimiyimana’s lawyer, Herbert Rubasha, told court that he was shocked by his client’s hasty refusal to stand trial and requested the court to give him more time to speak to his client.

However, Nshimiyimana went on with surprises telling his lawyer to never waste time speaking to him.

“There is nothing you will do to make me speak. With or without a lawyer, I will not respond to the charges against me.”

New video surfaces against Mutabazi

In the meantime, court proceeded with the case of Lt Joel Mutabazi in which a video was displayed showing how Mutabazi personally pleaded guilty of stage managing his shooting in Uganda.

According to prosecutors, the video was captured during the interrogation of Lt Mutabazi.

The video shows Mutabazi narrating in detail how he acquired the gun, how he used it and disposed it off. Mutabazi has also maintained silence in court and refused to stand trial.

Mutabazi is charged with attempt to harm the person of the President, deserting the military, terrorism, formation of an armed group, spreading rumours with intent to incite the public to rise up against the state, murder, crimes against the state and illegal possession of a firearm.

Mu mezi arindwi ashize hashyirwa mu bikorwa imihigo y’uturere mu gihugu, Minisitiri w’ubucuruzi n’inganda Francois Kanimba yasabye akarere ka Rusizi kwihutisha ibikorwa by’imihigo biyemeje , ni nyuma yo gusuzuma aho imihigo aka karere kiyemeje igeze, muri yo, Minisitiri Kanimba avuga ko igera kuri 60% igenda neza naho 21 ikaba iri gucumbagira akaba ari muri urwo rwego yakanguriye abakozi bose guhaguruka bagakora cyane kugirango ibikorwa bemereye igihugu n’abaturage muri rusange bizagerweho.

Minisitiri w’ubucuruzi n’inganda Francois Kanimba yavuze ko imishinga ikiri hasi cyane muri aka karere ngo biterwa n’itangwa ry’amasoko bigaragara ko hari intege nkeya mu itangwa ryayo, icyakora ngo hari n’imishinga minini aka karere katabasha kwishyirira mu bikorwa twonyine cyane cyane iyo mishinga ikaba ishamikiye kubikorwa bya za Minisiteri cyangwa ibigo bya Leta bityo ugasanga uko kudindira kwayo Atari uruhare rw’akarere.

Minisitiri Kanimba Francois nka minisitiri ushinzwe kubw’umwihariko gukurikirana aka karere ka Rusizi yasabye abayobozi bako, kumenya impamvu imishinga imwe n’imwe iri kudindira bagashaka n’ingamba zafatwa kugirango nayo yihutishwe.

Minisitiri W’ubucuruzi n’inganda Kanimba Francois yanavuze ko mu kudindira kw’ibikorwa by’imishinga imwe n’imwe muri aka karere ngo harimo n’ikibazo cyo kubura kw’abayobozi bungirije b’aka karere kubera imikorere mibi  ariko ngo hakaba hari icyizere cyuko hari impinduka igiye kugaragara kubera ko hatowe abandi muri iki cyumweru gishize .

Munama zatanzwe na Minisitiri Kanimba Francois yasabye abayobozi b’aka karere gukurikirana cyane itangwa ry’amasoko kuko afite ibibazo mu kudindiza imishinga kandi yasabye abayobozi kubikurikirana umunsi kuwundi kugirango amakosa agaragaye akosoke hakiri kare

Perezida wa njyanama y’akarere ka Rusizi Kamanzi Syphorie nawe yavuze ko Imihigo ihagaze neza ariko itageze kurwego bifuza ko yageraho ariko nawe atunga agatoki amasoko aho yabasabye kuyihutisha, asaba abayobozi kuyikurikirana buri munsi kuko igihe gisigaye ari gito.

Gusa ngo hari icyizere cy’uko aka karere kazarangiza umwaka kari kugipimo cyiza mu kurangiza imirimo y’imihigo kari karemereye igihugu n’abaturage muri rusange

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame left and president of Ghana John Mahama

Rwanda’s First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is in London to attend the second UNAIDS and LANCET commission meeting. The commission is convening from 13-14 February 2014 to discuss the future of AIDS and global health.

The UNAIDS and Lancet Commission: Defeating AIDS — Advancing global health was established in May 2013, to draw lessons from the AIDS experience and find ways to move to sustainable health.

The Commission will deliberate on three central questions: What will it take to end AIDS?  How can lessons from the AIDS response inform global health? How must the global health and AIDS architecture be modernized to achieve sustainable global health?

The first Commission meeting was held in Lilongwe, Malawi in June 2013; hosted by Commission Co-Chair, President Joyce Banda. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is one of the high-level commissioners who delivered remarks where she stated that: “We have managed to provide care and treatment to keep many HIV+ people alive. They are still immuno-compromised and becoming increasingly susceptible to non-communicable diseases. We must be responsive and adapt to the changing nature of the disease. Africa should be ready! The worst is behind us. Now we know how to prevent, how to treat and how to care. We should move to the next step and do it yesterday”.

There are 30 commissioners known for their significant contributions to and leadership in HIV/AIDS, including politicians, scientists, medical professionals, donors and members of civil society.

These include Presidents of Benin, Ghana, and Switzerland, Prime Minister of Jamaica, First Ladies of Gabon, Japan and Rwanda, Global Fund Executive Director, AfDB President, Ministers of health and Special advisors to the UN.

Ku gicamunsi cyo kuri uyu wa gatatu tariki ya 12/02/2014, ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Nyamagabe buherekejwe n’ubw’ingabo ndetse n’abinjira n’abasohoka bwasuye abaturage b’umurenge wa Gatare muri gahunda z’ukwezi kw’imiyoborere myiza hagamijwe kuganira kuri gahunda zinyuranye ndetse no gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage.

Umuyobozi w’ingabo mu karere ka Nyamagabe, Majoro Peterson Gasangwa yibukije abaturage b’uyu murenge ko bafite uruhare runini mu gucunga umutekano kandi ko kuba umutekano uri mu gihugu ari ukubera imbaraga bashyiramo.

Ati “Umutekano tugomba kuwufatanya kandi kuba dutekanye ni uko twese twumvise ko ari uwacu”.

Abaturage b’umurenge wa Gatare basabwe kongera imbaraga mu kubumbatira umutekano bafatanyije n’inzego zinyuranye z’ubuyobozi kandi bakirinda icyawuhungabanya.

“Ba bandi bamara gusinda bagashaka gufata udusantere mpiri murabazi, mubagaragaze ubuyobozi bubakurikirane,” Majoro Gasangwa.

Umuyobozi w’ingabo mu karere ka Nyamagabe yanasabye abaturage b’umurenge wa Gatare gutekereza no ku mutekano w’inda bityo bagakura amaboko mu mufuka bagakora.

Abanyagatare bashimiwe ko bahiga indi mirenge muri gahunda zinyuranye.  

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Nyamagabe wungirije ushinzwe imibereho myiza y’abaturage, Byiringiro Emile yashimiye abaturage b’umurenge wa Gatare kuba baza ku isonga mu gushyira gahunda za Leta zinyuranye mu bikorwa nko gutanga umusanzu w’ubwisungane mu kwivuza aho ukwezi kwa mbere 2014 kwasize bageze kuri 95%.

Abaturage b’umurenge wa Gatare kandi ngo ni nabo baje ku isonga mu kurangiza kubaka ibyumba by’amashuri y’uburezi bw’ibanze bw’imyaka 12, amacumbi y’abarimu n’ibindi.

Umurenge wa Gatare kandi uza mu mirenge ikize kurusha indi kuko abaturage bawo bahinga bakeza dore ko baturiye pariki y’igihugu ya Nyungwe bityo bagahorana imvura.

Ukwezi kw’imiyoborere myiza kwatangiye tariki ya 14/01/2014 bikaba biteganyijwe ko kuzarangira mu kwezi kwa gatatu 2014.

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Burera burakomeza gukangurira abaturage bo muri ako karere kwitabira kurara amarondo kugira ngo bakomeze gufatanya n’inzego zishinzwe umutekano kuwubungabunga.

Mu nama y’umuteka yaguye y’akarere ka Burera yabaye tariki ya 10/02/2014 hagaragajwe ko umutekano wifashe neza  muri rusange muri ako karere.

Gusa ariko bakangurira abanyaburera kutirara ahubwo bagakomeza kurara irondo kugira ngo hatazagira uhungabanya umutekano bari bafite. Abayobozi bo ku rwego rw’imirenge kandi basabwa gupanga ndetse no kugenzura neza amarondo.

Zaraduhaye Joseph, umuyobozi wungirije w’akarere ka Burera, ushinzwe ubukungu n’iterambere, avuga ko ibitabo by’abinjira n’abasohora biri ku midugudu bigomba kuzuzwa uko bikwiye kugira ngo hamenyekane abaraye mu mu dugudu.

Ibi bije nyuma y’igihe gito hasohotse amabwiriza mashya ku bijayenye no kurara amarondo ndetse no kuyapanga.

Mu rwego rwo kugenzura niba amarondo yarawe uko bikwiye, buri muyobozi w’umurenge azajya akoresha inama y’umutekano y’isaha imwe buri gitondo.

Muri iyo nama ngo umuyobozi w’umurenge azajya afatanya n’abandi bayobozi bo mu murenge ayobora ubundi bapange amarondo barebe aho ari bukorerwe ndetse n’abari buyakore. Mu nama ikurikiyeho ngo nibwo bazajya bicara bakareba uko amarondo bapanze yagenze.

Ikindi kandi ngo amarondo agomba kurarwa ahantu hose aho kwibanda gusa ahantu hamwe nko ku mashuri, ku bigo nderabuzima cyangwa ku masantere y’ubucuruzi.

Abaturage bo mu karere ka Burera muri rusange bakomeza gushishikarizwa kurara irondo kuko ako karere gaturiye umupaka uhuza u Rwanda na Repubulika Iharanira Demokrasi ya Kongo, ndetse na Uganda.

Muri ako gace hakunze kugaragara urujya n’uruza rw’abantu bajya cyangwa bava muri ibyo bihugu rimwe na rimwe bakaba nta n’ibyangombwa bafite.

Abanyaburera basabwa kuba ijisho rya bagenzi babo kugira ngo muri urwo rujya n’uruza hatazaziramo n’umwanzi akaba yahungabanya umutekano w’u Rwanda.

Inama y’umutekano yaguye yo ku rwego rw’akarere ka Rutsiro yateranye tariki 11/02/2014, abayitabiriye barebera hamwe uko umutekano uhagaze n’uko bawubungabunga kurushaho, baganira no ku zindi gahunda zitandukanye zigamije kwihutisha iterambere ry’akarere ka Rutsiro.

Iyo nama y’umutekano yabaye n’umwanya mwiza wo kugeza ku bagize inama y’umutekano yaguye harimo n’abanyamabanga nshingwabikorwa b’imirenge imyanzuro yafashwe mu nama nkuru y’igihugu yavugaga ku birebana n’umutekano.

Imwe muri iyo myanzuro ni ijyanye no kubungabunga umutekano, kunoza imikorere y’amarondo, kuyagenzura, kuvugurura urutonde rw’abarara amarondo, ndetse no gutanga raporo y’abaraye irondo buri gitondo. Undi mwanzuro wafashwe ni ujyanye no gutanga raporo ya buri kwezi igaragaza ibyaha byabonetse muri buri murenge, kandi noneho umurenge wagaragaje ko wabereyemo ibyaha byinshi ukabibazwa.

Biyemeje no kunoza imitangire ya serivisi kuko iyo serivisi zidatanzwe neza na byo ngo bihungabanya umutekano. Ni muri urwo rwego gahunda yari isanzwe ibera ku karere ku munsi wa kabiri wa buri cyumweru ijyanye no gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage yahindutse. Ubusanzwe abaturage bafite ibibazo bahageraga kuri uwo munsi bagahura na komite irwanya akarengane iyobowe n’umuyobozi w’akarere, ariko noneho abitabiriye iyo nama bumvikanye ko umunsi wo gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage uzajya uba ku wa kane wa buri cyumweru, aho umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge afatanyije n’izindi nzego basanzwe bafatanya mu gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage no kurwanya akarengane bazajya bakira ibibazo by’abaturage, bikabera ku rwego rwa buri murenge.

Muri iyo nama bafashe n’ingamba zo gutunganya bimwe mu bikenewe hirya no hino birimo nk’imihanda ihuza utugari n’imirenge. Bafashe n’ingamba zo gukomeza gahunda y’ukwezi kwa mituweli, aho inzego zose zigomba guhagurukira rimwe zigashishikariza abaturage gutanga mituweli.

Biyemeje no kongera ingufu mu mihigo bigaragara ko itarimo kwihuta, ndetse bafata n’ingamba zigamije kugira ngo imihigo itaragerwaho izarangirane n’igihe gisigaye. Imwe mu mihigo igiye kongerwamo imbaraga ni ijyanye n’ubuhinzi cyane cyane ubwa kawa n’icyayi, dore ko hasigaye  ibyumweru bibiri cyangwa bitatu kugira ngo igihe cy’ihinga kibe kirangiye.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rutsiro, Byukusenge Gaspard yagize ati “twagombaga rero gufata ingamba kugira ngo ubuso busigaye buboneke muri iyi minsi isigaye kugira ngo igihe cy’ihinga kitazaducika.”

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera, Sembagare Samuel

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera, Sembagare Samuel, abwira abaturage bo muri ako karere ko imiyoborere myiza atari amagambo meza gusa ngo ahubwo ni n’ibikorwa bituma abaturage bava mu bukene bagatera imbere.

Sembagare yatangaje ibi tariki ya 13/02/2014 ubwo abaturage bo mu mirenge ya Gahunga na Rugarama batishoboye, bibumbiye mu mashyihamwe, bagabirwaga inka 24 zo kubafasha kwivana mu bukene.

Ku bufatanye bw’akarere ka Burera ndetse n’umuryango ATEDEC (Action Technique pour un Dévéloppement  Communautaire) nibo bahaye izo nka abo batishoboye.

Iyo gahunda yahuriranye n’uko mu Rwanda hose bari mu kwezi kwahariwe imiyoborere myiza. Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera avuga ko icyo gikorwa kijyanye n’imiyoborere myiza ngo kuko imiyoborere myiza ijyana n’ibikorwa.

Agira ati “Imiyoborere myiza ntabwo ari amagambo meza, ni ibikorwa. Kugerageza guca akarengane, kurwanya ihohoterwa! Ariko nanone ni ugutekereza ku mishinga yabateza imbere kugira ngo mwongere mutere agatambwe mukire, mugire ubukungu.”

Akomeza abwira abo baturage ko leta y’u Rwanda icyo iharanira mu miyoborere ari uko buri munyarwanda wese yagera ku iterambere kugira ngo gahunda ya EDPRS II, u Rwanda rwihaye, izagerweho uko byifuzwa.

Ukwezi kwahariwe imiyoborere myiza kwatangiye tariki ya 20/01/2014, kuzasozwa tariki ya 14/03/2014. Muri icyo gihe cyose hazakorwa ibintu bitandukanye birimo gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage.

Ukwezi kwaharimwe imiyoborere myiza kwashyizwe ho kugira ngo hibutswe uko Abanyarwanda bakwiye kuba babana, bayobowe, uko bakwiye kuba batanga ibitekerezo ndetse n’uko bakwiye kuba bitwara hamwe n’abayobozi babo.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera, Sembagare Samuel

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera, Sembagare Samuel, arasaba abaturage bo muri ako karere kwima amatwi ibihuha ngo kuko ibyo bihuha ni byo umwanzi asigaye akoresha atera abaturage ubwoba kugira ngo ntibashishikarire gukora. 

Si ubwa mbere Sembagare asaba abanyaburera kwima amatwi ibihuha. Gusa ariko anababwira ko u Rwanda rufite umutekano usesuye. Ngo ariko “intambara y’umwanzi igenda ihindura isura.”

Agira ati “Hari usebya igihugu kuri ariya maradiyo ya rutwitsi, hari uzana ibihuha byo kugira ngo bababikemo ibihuha mwoye gukora! Iyo umuntu yakuzanyemo igihuha ntukore igikurikiyeho urakena.

“Umukene wese rero ntiyishima. Umukene wese ntiyishima. Byumvikane ko rero mugomba kwima akatwi ibyo bihuha.”

Uyu muyobozi akomeza abwira abanyaburera gukomeza gufatanya n’abashinzwe umutekano kuwubungabunga batanga amakuru y’ibibera byose mu midugudu batuyemo kugira ngo hatazagira uwuhungabanya.

Agira ati “N’ahandi mwakeka haba hari intwaro, haba gerenade, haba umuntu uza mu mudugudu wanyu, mutamuzi mukwiye kumumenya.  Ntabwo twanze abashyitsi. Ariko aze aracumbikirwa nande? Azanywe n’iki?”

Akomeza asaba abayobozi b’imidugudu kumenya abantu bose baraye mu midugudu bayobora, bakabandika mu kayi y’abinjira n’abasohoka kugira ngo hamenyekane abaraye mu mudugudu ari abashyitsi.

Ikindi ni uko mu rwego rwo gukomeza kubungabunga umutekano hagiyeho amabwiriza mashya yo kurara irondo aho buri muyobozi w’umurenge akoresha inama y’umutekano y’isaha imwe buri gitondo.

Muri iyo nama umuyobozi w’umurenge afatanya n’abandi bayobozi bo mu murenge ayobora ubundi bagapanga amarondo bareba aho ari bukorerwe ndetse n’abari buyakore. Mu nama ikurikiyeho nibwo bicara bakareba uko amarondo bapanze yagenze.

Ikindi kandi abarara irondo basabwa kurirara ahantu hose aho kwibanda gusa ahantu hamwe nko ku mashuri, ku bigo nderabuzima cyangwa ku masantere y’ubucuruzi.

Perezida wa njyanama, asinyira ko ingengo y’imari yuzuye

Inama Njyanama idasanzwe y’Akarere ka Kirehe kuri uyu wa 12/02/2014 yarateranye yemeza ingengo y’imari ivuguruye y’umwaka wa 2013-2014 ingana na miliyari 8,780.

Muri iyi nama yize ku ngingo imwe rukumbi ariyo yo kwemeza ingengo y’imari y’umwaka wa 2013-2014. Kwemeza iyi ngengo y’imari muri aka Karere byabanjirijwe no gutanga ibitekerezo binyuranye kuri iyi ngengo y’imari, buri mujyanama yagiraga igitekerezo atanga.

Muri rusange iyi ngengo y’imari hashimwe uburyo yateguwe, n’uburyo izibanda ku bibazo by’ingenzi biganisha  ku mibereho myiza y’abaturage, n’iterambere muri rusange nk’uko byatangajwe na Perezida w’iyi nama Njyanama Rwagasana Erneste.

Igishya kigaragara muri iyi ngengo y’imari y’Akarere ka Kirehe  ingana na miliyari  8 zisaga  ni uruhare runini Akarere gafitemo, ngo amafaranga aturuka mu Karere ubwayo  aragenda yiyongera.

Mu nama yo kwemeza ingengo y’imari y’Akarere ka Kirehe hari n’abakozi batandukanye bakorera mu karere ka Kirehe hamwe n’abanyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa b’imirenge igize ako karere.

Perezida w’inama Njyanama yemeza ko iyi ngengo y’imari y’Akarere yizwe neza hakurikije amategeko,   akaba avuga ko ku bijyanye n’iterambere ry’Akarere  usanga ingengo y’imari y’uyu mwaka hari ibyazamutseho ugereranyije n’izayibanjirije  kikaba ari gishya  kandi gishimishije kigaragara muri iyi ngengo y’imari.

Iyi nama Njyanama idasanzwe y’Akarere ka Kirehe iyobowe n’umuyobozi wayo imaze gukorera ubugororangingo ingengo y’imari ivuguruye y’ umwaka wa 2013-2014 abajyanama bose bayitoye 100% umuyobozi wa Njyanama akaba  avuga ko kuba barateranye bakemeza iyi ngengo y’imari biri mu nshingano zabo, aboneraho gusaba abajyanama kuba aba mbere mu kureba ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’iyi ngengo y’imari.

Minisitiri Musoni James ushinzwe ubutegetsi bw’igihugu mu Rwanda arasaba urubyiruko ruri ku rugerero kuba imbarutso y’iterambere mu midugudu iwabo, bakahageza impinduka mu myumvire n’imikorere abandi Banyarwanda bazazamukiraho bagatera imbere.

Ibi minisitiri Musoni yabisabye urubyiruko 129 ruri mu bikorwa by’Urugerero mu murenge wa Kigabiro mu karere ka Rwamagana, uyu munsi kuwa 14/02/2014 aho yabasuye mu bikorwa barimo byo gutanga umusanzu wo kubaka igihugu.

Minisitiri Musoni yafatanije nabo imirimo yo kubaka inyubako y’akagari ka Nyarusange muri Kigabiro ndetse no gutera ubusitani bwo kugeza isura nziza ku mihanda no kubungabunga ibidukikije.

Nyuma y’aha, bwana James Musoni yagiranye ibiganiro n’aba bari ku rugerero, aho baganiriye ku musaruro bari gutanga mu bikorwa barimo by’urugerero ndetse n’umusaruro bategerejweho n’igihugu, ndetse Intore ziri ku rugerero nazo zimugezaho ibyifuzo ngo ibikorwa barimo bizakomeze kugenda neza no gutanga umusaruro.

Minisitiri James Musoni yabwiye abari ku rugerero ko nta mpinduka zijya zibaho ku isi yose urubyiruko rutazibaye ku isonga, aho yagize ati “Nta mpinduka isi ijya igeraho urubyiruko rutazitabiriye. Mukwiye kumenya ko n’aho u Rwanda rugeze iki gihe ruhacyesha amaboko, imbaraga n’amaraso y’urubyiruko nkamwe kuko aribo bitanze mu rugamba rwo kubohora igihugu no guhagarika Jenoside yari igamije kurimbura Abatutsi.”

Minisitiri Musoni yabasabye gukomeza kuba ku isonga ry’ibikorwa byose by’iterambere igihugu gifite, kandi bakajya bakora neza, bakajijura bamwe mu baturage bagitseta ibirenge muri gahunda nziza za leta kandi aho banyuze hose bakahakora igikorwa cyiza abasigaye bazajya bareba bakibuka ko babicyesha amaboko n’ubumenyi bw’abakiri bato.

Uyu muminisitiri ushinzwe ubutegetsi bw’igihugu mu Rwanda yatubwiye ko intore ziri ku rugerero zahawe ubumenyi kuri gahunda nyinshi z’iterambere, zikaba zaroherejwe mu giturage muri buri murenge na buri kagari ngo zizasangize abahatuye ubumenyi n’imyumvire myiza bijyana ku iterambere.

Ubu mu Rwanda hari urubyiruko ibihumbi 45 na 738 ruri mu bikorwa by’urugerero, rukaba rugizwe n’abarangije amashuri yisumbuye mu mwaka ushize. Ubu ariko kuva leta yatangaza amanota y’abatsinze ibizamini bisoza amashuri yisumbuye bamwe muri bo bashobora kudakomeza ibyo bikorwa mu gihe baba batatsinze neza, bagahitamo gusubira ku mashuri ngo babanze babone amanota meza mu bizamini bisoza amashuri yisumbuye.

Simeon Manirakiza (left) with a fellow FDLR ex-combatant after returning to Rwanda

 Former members of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have revealed that  a section of International Non-governmental Organisations operating in the Democratic Republic of (DRC) are secretly  providing logistical and financial support to FDLR fighters.

Last year, the United Nations Security Council declared FDLR a group under UN sanctions because its leaders and members are perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

The Security Council also accused FDLR fighters of killings in Rwanda and democratic Republic of Congo.

In an exclusive interview with this website, a section of former FDLR fighters, now reintegrated at Mutobo camp in Musanze District, Northern Province, revealed some NGOs operating in DRC have continued to provide financial and logistical support to FDLR leaders and fighters.

“They fund FDLR operations and provide logistics when FDLR leaders want them,” Simeon Maniranzi a former FDLR combatant told Kigali Today.

Manirakiza who lived in Rubaya refugee camp in Masisi, Eastern DRC, returned back to Rwanda this Month. He revealed that the camp accommodates 200 FDLR fighters, and they are catered for by these NGOs. He says that the NGOs provide food and transport means to FDLR fighters in order to survive.

He reveals that Partnership for Change-an NGO operating in DRC is the key provider of all financial and logistical support needed by FDLR fighters.

“All these FDLR fighters cannot dream of returning back to Rwanda. They get everything they want from Partnership for Change which funds all FDLR operations in the area. The NGO provides food and vehicles that transport FDLR fighters,” said the 21-year-old Maniranzi.

According to Maniranzi, they camped at Rubaya refugee camp after defecting from FDLR base in Mufuro, Kibowa in Masisi after being moved out of Katoyi in 2013. He said that they all arrived at Rubaya refugee camp to start working in mining sites.

“There are over 200 Rwandans at this refugee camp. They work in mineral sites but get all financial support and food from Partners for Change,” he says.

According to Maniranzi, all FDLR fighters camped at Rubaya refugee camp were under the command of Cpt. Bobe Kije, a military assistant to Col.Kome.

The Ex-combatant, who acknowledges to have worked in FDLR’s Mangeri military base in Masisi, in Northern Kivu Province said that Capt. Bobe’s fighters are charged with controlling and maintaining security of the refugee camp since there is no Congolese army in the area.

“All control and command of the area is done by FDLR’s Capt. Bobe. You cannot find Congolese army (FARDC) in the area. It’s only Capt. Bobe who leads and organizes security operations in this place while the NGO (Partners for Change) provides other needed support,” he said.

Other NGOs implicated

Newsofrwanda.com further obtained information from its sources implicating other NGOs in the support of FDLR militias in DRC. According to those sources, different NGOs have continued to facilitate deployment of FDLR fighters near Rwandan borders with DRC.

The new deployments are mostly carried out in areas of Nyiragongo and Rutchuro, formerly occupied by M23 fights. Most of FDLR fighters deployed in these areas are reportedly intelligence operatives under the ‘CRAP’ acronym.

Sources further revealed that FDLR vice President, Lt. Gen. Sylvestre Mudacumura has relocated his base to Rumangabo, 60 kilometres from Goma which is under the control of FDLR fighters. Among these FDLR fighters is Capt. Abdul, who hails from Bugeshyi sector in Rwanda.

According to sources, another NGO operating in DRC-The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund (TEARFUND) facilitated Mudacumura with a vehicle to be used in his operations.

According to other FDLR ex-combatants who spoke us, the NGO provided its vehicle to Mudacumura to help him move freely around Goma without being recognized since the NGOs is neutral in the area. However, according to ex-combatants, Mudacumura has relocated to Nyabikeri for the fear of any arrest heavy security at the Rwandan border with DRC.

TEARFUND commenced its operations in DRC in 1986. The NGO currently operates in a consortium with other NGOs such as; Programme de Promotion des Soins de Santé Primaires (PPSSP), Centre Résolution des Conflits (CRC) as well as Communauté Evangélique Chrétienne en Afrique (CECA-20) another NGO operating in DRC. Most of TEARFUND branches are located in areas of Kivu Province and Maniena in DRC.

FDLR accused of rape, looting and killing civilians

Local residents living in Luofu village, just metres away from FDLR territory, accuse rebels of mass killings, rape and looting. The village has been dominated by FDLR for the past decade.

Residents told the BBC that FDLR rebels extort money from locals, pillage the farmers’ harvest and set up road blocks, demanding money or goods from anyone travelling through.

The residents also accuse the Congolese army (FARDC) of collaborating with FDLR, leaving locals to fend for themselves.

“At one point, they [FDLR] came to burn the villages… more than 200 houses,” Eric Kambale, a trainee priest at Luofu parish told BBC.

“People burned inside, can you imagine? It terrified people. The Congolese army was one kilometre away when that happened.” He added