With all rumors about Kagame’s life concerns, the whole world is watching the Rwanda’s leader who was not seen in public since 2020. He did not attend all presidential meetings and, instead, was seen in virtual gatherings. This was interpreted by observers as a way to hide the fragile health status of the President. Some argue that a 3-D mask was engineered and could be put up by any person to replace Kagame without raising questions. In January,2021; a Rwandan woman, IDAMANGE Iryamugwiza Yvonne, declared that President Paul KAGAME is dead since long, that Rwandans are led by a corpse, before calling on Rwandans to meet at President’ office to take out the cadaver. She was second to talk clearly about Kagame’s “death” after Rev Father Thomas NAHIMANA who confirmed detaining same information. The president’s office could neither confirm nor deny the information. Rather, Mrs IDAMANGE was arrested and charged of many allegations except the one to have declared Kagame dead! The US President has just invited 40 world leaders without Kagame, a very first event of such a caliber that will be missed by the Rwandan President in 27 years. This will only fuel more concerns about Kagame’s whereabouts.
President Biden Invites 40 World Leaders to Leaders Summit on Climate
Today, (March 26th 2021) President Biden invited 40 world leaders to the Leaders Summit on Climate he will host on April 22 and 23. The virtual Leaders Summit will be live streamed for public viewing.
President Biden took action his first day in office to return the United States to the Paris Agreement. Days later, on January 27, he announced that he would soon convene a leaders summit to galvanize efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.
The Leaders Summit on Climate will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
In recent years, scientists have underscored the need to limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. A key goal of both the Leaders Summit and COP26 will be to catalyze efforts that keep that 1.5-degree goal within reach. The Summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.
By the time of the Summit, the United States will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. In his invitation, the President urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition.
The Summit will reconvene the U.S.-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP. The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy. A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit.
Key themes of the Summit will include:
Galvanizing efforts by the world’s major economies to reduce emissions during this critical decade to keep a limit to warming of 1.5 degree Celsius within reach.
Mobilizing public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition and to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts.
The economic benefits of climate action, with a strong emphasis on job creation, and the importance of ensuring all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a new clean energy economy.
Spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, while also creating enormous new economic opportunities and building the industries of the future.
Showcasing subnational and non-state actors that are committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, and are working closely with national governments to advance ambition and resilience.
Discussing opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change, address the global security challenges posed by climate change and the impact on readiness, and address the role of nature-based solutions in achieving net zero by 2050 goals.
Further details on the Summit agenda, additional participants, media access, and public viewing will be provided in the coming weeks.
The President invited the following leaders to participate in the Summit:
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda
President Alberto Fernandez, Argentina
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Australia
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh
Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Bhutan
President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada
President Sebastián Piñera, Chile
President Xi Jinping, People’s Republic of China
President Iván Duque Márquez, Colombia
President Félix Tshisekedi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Denmark
President Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission
President Charles Michel, European Council
President Emmanuel Macron, France
President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Gabon
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India
President Joko Widodo, Indonesia
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel
Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Italy
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Jamaica
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Japan
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya
President David Kabua, Republic of the Marshall Islands
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand
President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria
Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Norway
President Andrzej Duda, Poland
President Moon Jae-in, Republic of Korea
President Vladimir Putin, The Russian Federation
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore
President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates
Barashaka ko ababo basyingurwa mu cyubahiro aho gukoreshwa mu kwinjiriza Paul Kagame amafaranga yo kurya. Birababaje cyane kubona Kagame n’agatsiko ke bajya mu masoko guhaha ari uko amagufwa y’abanyarwanda ari mu nzibutso yabinjirije akayabo k’amafaranga.
Idamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne yakomye rutenderi ubwo yabwiraga Paul Kagame ngo ni akure ibisigazwa by’ababo mu nzibutso, ave ku izima yemere ko bishyingurwa mu cyubahiro, hanyuma ashyire mu tubati two mu nzibutso ibikoresho byakoreshejwe mu kubavutsa ubuzima.
Umucikacumu Madamu Idamange Yvonne Iryamugwiza kuba yarabwiye Paul Kagame amafuti n’ubugome bikomeje gukorerwa abaguye muri jenoside n’abayirokotse byamuviriyemo gufugwa no gushinjwa gupfobya jenoside.
Amagufwa/ Ibisigazwa by’abishwe muri jenoside biri kwisoko mu nzibutso za jenoside ni gato ishyushye (Hot Cake) ya Paul Kagame, umunyarwanda wese usabye ko bishyingurwa mu cyubahiro aba ashaka kwubika imbehe Paul Kagame ariraho, aba anakojeje agati mu ntozi kuko umujinya w’umuranduranzuzi wa Paul Kagame urabyuka kuko aba abona ko ari ugushaka kumena igisabo akuramo amata yo agotomera.
Abanyarwanda bose bagomba kuba ba Idamange bagategeka Paul Kagame gushyingura mu cyubahiro Ibisigazwa/amagufwa by’abacu bishwe muri jenoside.
Paul Kagame agomba kurekeraho gutungwa n’amafaranga akura mu Ibisigazwa/amagufwa y’abacu ari ku isoko mu nzibutso za jenosise.
Ese ko Paul Kagame yapfushije se na nyina, kuki imibiri yabo yayishyinguye mu cyubahiro aho kuyishira ku isoko mu nzibutso? Kuki yumva imibiri y’ababyeyi be ariyo igomba gushyingurwa mu cyubahiro hanyuma iyabandi banyarwanda ikandarikwa, igasuzugurwa, igashyirwa kw’isoko nk’igicuruzwa cyimwinjiriza akayabo k’amafaranga?
Paul Kagame agomba guhita ufungura Umucikacumu Ndabaga Idamange Yvonne Iryamugwiza.
Aimée Bamukunde brandissant une pancarte à l’effigie d’Idamange devant le palais des Nations à Genève
Ce mardi 16 février 2021, à 13 heures, plusieurs centaines de rwandais ont spontanément manifesté dans plusieurs villes européennes afin de demander la libération d’Yvonne Idamange et demander que les droits fondamentaux des citoyens rwandais au pays ou en exil cessent d’être bafoués.
Des mobilisations ont simultanément eu lieu à Bruxelles, Paris, La Haye, Genève, Lyon et d’autres actions sont envisagées dans les prochains jours à Montréal, Stockholm, Paris ou encore à Genève une nouvelle fois.
Cette mobilisation de la communauté rwandaise en exil fait suite à l’arrestation d’Yvonne Iryamugwiza Idamange pour une vidéo qu’elle a publiée ce lundi 15 février 2021 sur sa chaine YouTube et qui a déjà été vue plus de 130’000 fois en l’espace de quatre jours seulement.
Dans cette vidéo, Yvonne Idamange exprime son ras le bol de voir des jeunes talents rwandais emprisonnés, victimes de disparitions forcées ou tués « sur une base quotidienne », et cite entre autres noms, celui de Kizito Mihigo, assassiné le 17 février 2020, celui du journaliste Cyuma Hassan Dieudonné, emprisonné pour « non respect des mesures de confinement » depuis avril 2020 ainsi que celui du jeune poète Mussa Innocent Bahati porté disparu depuis le 7 février 2021.https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUf1OrNKcTA?start=1&feature=oembed
Dans son message, cette maman de quatre enfants a appelé les rwandais à se rendre à la présidence munis d’une bible pour « réclamer la démocratie au Rwanda» et la fin des abus graves des droits de l’Homme qui continuent à être régulièrement commis dans le pays.
Dans un langage très virulent à l’encontre du pouvoir en place, ou elle est allée jusqu’à qualifier le général Kagame de « cadavre » en écho à une rumeur persistante depuis plusieurs mois dans certains milieux rwandais selon laquelle Paul kagame serait décédé, l’activiste a évoqué un impérieux « besoin de changement » dans la gouvernance du pays et a appelé à plusieurs reprises dans sa vidéo, à une « révolution pacifique », à laquelle elle a appelé les « rwandais de l’extérieur » à se joindre « si vous restez les bras croisés, Dieu vous demandera des comptes ».
« Tu vaste taire, si tu ne te tais pas, ils vont te tuer, les gens parleront de ta mort une semaine et après ce sera fini »
Dans la même vidéo, Yvonne Idamange explique avoir reçu quelques jours plus tôt la visite du secrétaire d’État Edouard Bamporiki, qui lui aurait proposée, au nom de l’Etat rwandais d’acheter son silence. Madame Idamange dit avoir en sapossession l’enregistrement de cette conversation dans laquelle le Ministre luidemande ce que l’Etat rwandais pourrait lui offrir en échange de son silence. Une proposition à laquelle elle a opposé une fin de non recevoir « Je lui ai répondu que si c’était nécessaire, je suis prête à mourir pour les enfants du Rwanda car je ne peux pas accepter de me vendre et me taire sur le sang des rwandais (…) il m’a dit, tu vas te taire, et si tu ne te tais pas, ils vont te tuer, les gens parleront de ta mort une semaine et ce sera fini ».
Sur twitter le principal intéressé a par la suite confirmé cet entretien en ces termes « c’était ma responsabilité en tant qu’avocat et ami de la famille de lui rappeler les crimes et leurs sanctions dans la loi. Je suis fier de l’avoir fait. Sinon le temps que j’ai passé à l’école de droit aurait été vain. Nous nous connaissons depuis 2003. »https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=Jambonewsnet&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-0&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1361434237501665283&lang=fr&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jambonews.net%2Factualites%2F20210219-bruxelles-paris-geneve-la-haye-lyon-les-rwandais-expriment-leur-ras-le-bol%2F&siteScreenName=Jambonewsnet&theme=light&widgetsVersion=889aa01%3A1612811843556&width=500px
Quelques heures à peine après la publication de cette vidéo, la police rwandaise annonçait son arrestation « pour de sérieux crimes comprenant « l’incitation à l’ordre public, la rébellion contre une arrestation légale et une attaque grave contre un membre des forces de sécurité », la police l’accusant d’avoir blessé l’un des policiers venu l’arrêter à la tête avec une bouteille.
Beaucoup de rwandais ont mis sur leurs profils de réseaux sociaux la photo d’Yvonne Idamange avec comme message « ne la tuez pas, écoutez la »
Dès l’annonce de son arrestation, les réseaux sociaux rwandais se sont enflammés, plusieurs milliers de rwandais diffusant sa photo ou la mettant comme photo de profil avec souvent un même message « ne tuez pas Idamange, écoutez là ». Le lendemain, plusieurs centaines de personnes se sont rassemblées à Bruxelles, Paris, Genève, la Haye ou Lyon pour demander la libération immédiate de la jeune femme ainsi que le respect des droits de l’Homme au Rwanda.
À Bruxelles beaucoup de manifestants avaient une bible dans une main, une photo d’Yvonne Idamange dans l’autre
A Bruxelles, environ 200 manifestants selon les organisateurs, 150 selon la police se sont rassemblés devant l’ambassade du Rwanda, pour la plupart munis d’une bible dans une main (à la demande d’Idamange) et d’une photo d’Yvonne Idamange dans l’autre.
Dans leurs slogans, les manifestants ont à plusieurs reprises exprimé leur ras le bol de voir les droits des rwandais être continuellement bafoués sans aucune réaction nationale ou internationale. « Turarambiwe, Turarambiwe, Turarambiwe » (nous en avons assez) ont ainsi scandé les manifestants qui répétaient en boucle les noms de jeunes rwandais assassinés par le régime ou portés disparus à l’instar de Mussa Innocent Bahati, le dernier nom en date à s’être ajouté sur cette trop longue liste de personnes portées disparues au Rwanda.https://www.youtube.com/embed/w9_pYNXmFYw?start=588&feature=oembed
A d’autres reprises les manifestants ont scandé le mot « révolution » en écho à l’appel d’Idamange d’avoir une « révolution pacifique » au Rwanda. Ils exigeaient la libération de Yvonne Idamange ainsi que des autres prisonniers politiques au Rwanda. A la veille de la commémoration de l’anniversaire de l’assassinat de Kizito Mihigo, les manifestants ont terminé leur événement dans le recueillement, en entonnant un couplet de la chanson Igisobanuro cy’urupfu, celle-là même qui qui fut à l’origine du long chemin de croix de l’artiste chrétien.
« Je me suis levée pour ceux au Rwanda qui ne peuvent pas le faire »
Ganishya Runyinya, une des participantes à la manifestation à Bruxelles explique avoir voulu manifester car elle a été frappée par le fait de voir “une mère célibataire de quatre enfants qui a l’air d’avoir tout, qui semble faire partie de la classe privilégiée du Rwanda se lever et laisser de côté son privilège pour parler au nom de tous les rwandais en étant consciente des risques qu’elle encourt. »
Le fait que Yvonne Idamange, s’est montrée prête à tout sacrifier y compris sa vie pour s’exprimer, ajoute Ganishya Runyinya, « montre que les rwandais en sont arrivés à un point de non retour. Son action de refuser de vivre dans son confort en gardant les yeux fermés sur la détresse de la population rwandaise me fait penser à la phrase prononcé par Kizito Mihigo dans l’une des dernières vidéos qu’il a enregistrées avant son assassinat dans laquelle il explique qu’il préfère mal vivre, vivre difficilement, mais en étant libre intérieurement que de faire ce qu’ils veulent, mais en étant vraiment enchainé, sans être lui-même. » https://player.vimeo.com/video/512280075?dnt=1&app_id=122963
C’est ce « sacrifice de soi » qu’Idamange a fait pour les rwandais, continue Ganishya, « qui m’a poussé à ne pas rester les bras croisés. Je sais très bien qu’au Rwanda personne n’allait aller à la présidence comme elle l’avait demandé et ce en raison du climat de peur qui y règne, mais moi je n’ai aucune raison d’avoir peur. La ou je vis, j’ai la possibilité de faire le geste que ceux au Rwanda ne peuvent pas faire en raison des craintes pour leur vies. Je me suis levée pour ceux qui ne peuvent pas le faire. »
À Paris , les manifestants se sont rassemblés au Parc de Monceau
A Paris, les manifestants se sont rassemblés aux alentours de 12h au Parc de Monceau à proximité de l’ambassade du Rwanda. Vers 13h, une délégation, de quatre personnes ont approché pour déposer leur message dans les boutes de l’ambassade. Les autres devant rester en retrait en raison des mesures de confinement imposées en France.
Marie Jeanne Rutayisire, une des manifestantes explique s’être mobilisée « afin de contester les injustices qui se passent eu Rwanda, et soutenir Idamange qui réclame les droits pour tous les rwandais. »
« Le courage d’Idamange m’a émue et inspirée »
A Genève, des personnes venant de différents cantons, se sont rencontrés à la place de la Nation devant le palais des Nations Unies à 13 h avec des photos d’Idamange, des photos d’autres prisonniers, ainsi que celles de personnes victimes de disparitions forcées. Une délégation s’est ensuite rendue devant l’ambassade du Rwanda avant de revenir à nouveau place des Nations.
Aimée Bamukunde, dont la photo d’elle brandissant une pancarte à l’effigie d’Idamange en face du palais des Nations est vite devenue virale, explique s’être mobilisée car « en tant que rwandaise », elle se sent concernée par ce qui se passe à l’intérieur du pays et par tous les problèmes qu’Idamange a cités. « On peut ne pas être d’accord avec tout ce qu’elle a dit mais son courage m’a émue et inspirée encore plus. Idamange aurait pu être ma grande sœur, ma cousine, ma voisine, c’est cette force d’une maman de quatre enfants qui met de coté sa propre vie et qui parle pour tout son peuple qui m’a poussée à me mobiliser pour elle. C’est cela que je recherche et qui m’inspire, ces femmes qui osent dire tout haut ce que le gens pensent mais n’osent pas dire. »
Au delà du courage d’Idamange, c’est la forme et le contenu du discours de la jeune femme qui semble avoir marqué Aimée Bamukunde « elle était méthodique, organisée, et parlait dans un langage clair. Elle parlait des problèmes que les rwandais vivent. Bien qu’elle ne soit pas elle –même dans le besoin, elle parlait pour les plus démunis. Elle a parlé pour tous les rwandais non seulement ceux à l’intérieur mais aussi ceux à l’extérieur du pays et c’est cela qui m’a frappé.
La jeune femme explique avoir été séduite par le caractère « inclusif » du discours d’Yvonne Idamange « personnellement ma cause, ce sont les enfants rwandais dans les camps de réfugiés à l’extérieur du pays qu’on a tendance à oublier. Quand elle s’adresse à « chaque rwandais ou qu’il soit », aucun enfant du Rwanda n’est exclu, c’est son discours inclusif qui m’a séduite. Des gens ayant vu ma photo circuler me disent merci de faire ceci, moi j’ai plutôt envie de dire merci à elle, merci à toutes ces mamans qui font en sorte que les choses changent, c’est une héroïne. »
« Je me suis reconnue en elle »
À La Haye, les manifestants se sont rassemblés à « Plein » devant le parlement néerlandais brandissant des photos d’Idamange.
A La Haye, les manifestants se sont rassemblés à « Plein » devant le parlement néerlandais brandissant des photos d’Idamange.
Gloria Uwishema, une des manifestantes explique s’être mobilisée car d’une part elle s’indignait de voir une rwandaise persécutée pour sa liberté d’expression «il n’y avait pas de raisons de la persécuter. Son cas montre justement qu’il y’a un grand manque d’espace d’expression au Rwanda ». D’autre part, Gloria Uwishema explique s’être mobilisée en tant que femme, afin de soutenir une femme de sa génération, ayant des enfants comme elle et « qui est parvenue à dire les problèmes des rwandais. Idamange n’arrive pas à s’imaginer le Rwanda de demain, pour elle mais surtout pour ses enfants, elle s’inquiète de l’avenir et du chemin que notre pays est entrain d’emprunter. Je me suis beaucoup reconnue en elle. »
Dans la foulée de la manifestation, Prosper Shima, jeune rwandais habitant également aux Pays-Bas et qui organisait le rassemblement, ne s’est pas arrêté à ce rassemblement et envoie depuis lors des courriers signés par près d’une centaine des personnes aux différents pays partenaires du Rwanda « nous avons déjà écrit à différentes ambassades qui se trouvent au Rwanda, à la Mission européenne à Kigali, à l’ambassade des Etats-Unis, à l’ambassade des Pays-Bas en leur demandant d’exhorter les autorités rwandaises à respecter les droits fondamentaux des rwandais ainsi que le droit à la liberté d’expression de Madame Idamange. »
« On en a marre, on veut soutenir les rwandais qui souffrent de ce système qui les écrase dans tous les sens »
À Lyon, les manifestants se sont rassemblés place Bellecour
A Lyon, les manifestants se sont rassemblés sur la place Bellecour à 13h tapante pour «pour dénoncer la violation des droits humains et soutenir la démocratie au Rwanda ». Vu le court délai, certains ayant été prévenus le matin même, les manifestants se sont retrouvés sans affiches d’Idamange mais avec une bible comme elle l’avait demandé.
Léon Ruhungira qui fut parmi les personnes qui se sont mobilisées, explique l’avoir fait pour « soutenir la liberté de parole au Rwanda et manifester contre l’injustice qui frappe les rwandais. On en a marre, on veut soutenir les rwandais qui, au pays, en ont marre et osent parler. On veut soutenir les rwandais qui souffrent de ce système qui les écrase dans tous les sens. Il est temps que ça change. »
« On ne va pas s’arrêter tant que la situation ne change pas »
Quatre jours après l’arrestation de la Youtubeuse, l’émotion reste vive au sein de la communauté rwandaise et la mobilisation autour de son cas ne montre aucun signe d’essoufflement.
Dans les foras rwandais, malgré l’actualité particulièrement chargée des derniers jours, Yvonne Idamange continue à être le principal sujet de discussions et plusieurs émissions YouTube continuent à lui être consacrées quotidiennement.
La mobilisation ne faiblit pas et des nouvelles manifestations sont annoncées ce week-end, à Paris, Genève, Stockolm et même au Canada. Une grande « manifestation virtuelle » est également annoncée pour le 28 février.
Diane Gasana, jeune rwandaise vivant en Suisse et qui est parmi les organisateurs de la manifestation de samedi à Genève explique vouloir à nouveau se mobiliser car « ça va trop loin. On a été touchés par l’arrestation d’une mère célibataire. Tout ce qu’elle a fait c’est dénoncer les défaillances du système. Pour nous, s’exprimer n’est pas un crime. »
Mardidernier, elle faisait partie des manifestants qui se sont rendus devant le Palais des Nations à Genève ainsi qu’à l’ambassade du Rwanda « Ce qui m’a choquée est que quand nous sommes arrivés à l’ambassade, ils nous ont regardé par la fenêtre et aucun d’eux n’a daigné venir écouter nos revendications. Pourtant nous n’étions ni nombreux, ni menaçants, on a ressenti cela comme un mépris. On ne va pas s’arrêter jusqu’à ce que l’Etat nous entende ou que la situation au Rwanda change ».
A côté de ces gestes de soutien, une récolte de Fonds a été lancée afin d’aider Yvonne Idamange pour ses frais judiciaires et soutenir ses quatre enfants. En seulement quatre jours, la cagnotte atteint déjà près de 20 000 dollars et les dons continuent à affluer.
If you are a taxpayer in America, Britain, Canada, Sweden, Holland, of another donor nation to Rwanda; this is what your taxes are being used for. Demand your members of Congress, MPs and foreign aid departments do freeze aid to Rwanda until the Kagame regime begins respecting human rights.
Earlier today February 15,2021, Rwandan authorities forces (either military or police or both) stormed the home of outspoken critic Idamange, a mother of four and took multiple people from the home.
Idamange is a mother of four children whose underage son was kidnapped overnight by authorities last Wednesday only to be dropped off some unknown place in the morning after lots of pressure calling out this kidnapping (https://youtu.be/bHPVST0-F3M). Since then, supporters of the regime claim that the 16-year-old was being held “in a stadium “ for violating Coronavirus curfew. However authorities did not notify his mother. Also, minors are not normally held in stadiums for these violations according to Rwanda’s laws.
While the kidnapping of the son was the worst since Ms. Idamange emerged in the public, there has been lesser but sustained attacks on her. She has been bullied, dehumanized, harassed and threatened online by Rwandan authorities and propagandists. However it didn’t stop online. According to her, mass murderer and currently inspector general of Rwanda’s police Gen. Dan Munyuza as well as Rwanda’s minister of justice Johnston Busingye and Rwandan government official Edouard Bamporiki spoke to her and asked that she quits criticizing the government. The offered bribes and failed. Then they turned to threats. In her own words, she said that she was told that they can kill her and the noise will ONLY last one week.
Just as a reminder, beloved gospel singer was also mistreated, harassed and tortured by the government before his assassination. Two of the people involved in Kizito’s plight are also involved in the case of Ms. Idamange, namely Minister Edouard Bamporiki and Gen. Dan Munyuza, a well known assassin. Kizito Mihigo documented this in secret audios from prison released after his assassination (https://youtu.be/_9RmYMkcDN8).
Prior to his initial imprisonments on trumped up charges, Kizito had been kidnapped, tortured paraded in front of media in handcuffs and made to confess under torture. Notice the pattern of kidnapping??? Well in case you haven’t notice the pattern, maybe you’ve seen the film “Hotel Rwanda” made after Paul Rusesabagina who sheltered over 1200 people during the gruesome Rwandan Genocide. Paul Rusesabagina was also kidnapped last year and taken to Rwanda for a trial planned to start this Wednesday February 17, 2021.
What do Idamange, Kizito and Rusesabagina have in common? (https://youtu.be/9GJQdzK_ydA) They are all critics of the Kagame regime. Idamange and Rusesabagina have been especially bold and outspoken. Kizito on the other hand was imprisoned and killed for singing a song recognizing massive numbers of people killed by Kagame and his RPF (Rwanda’s ruling party).
Paul Rusesabagina in prison since August 2020.Kizito Mihigo killed in police cell in February 2020.
Kagame and his government bank on the silent complicity of both the public (you and me but especially Rwandans abroad who watch all of this in silence) as well as the complicity of the international community who remain silent as long as he’s a good puppet of the west. They bank on all of this happening in the dark with the public not knowing that it happens. This is where you come in by sharing news like this and making sure THE WORLD KNOWS. Your shining a light on this matters. So do share widely.
If you are a taxpayer in America, Britain, Canada, Sweden, Holland, of another donor nation to Rwanda; this is what your taxes are being used for. Demand your members of Congress, MPs and foreign aid departments do freeze aid to Rwanda until the Kagame regime begins respecting human rights.
Members of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Geneva, Switzerland
RE:Noncompliance of the Republic of Rwanda with the human rights recommendations.
Dear all,
On January 25th, 2021; the third universal periodic review (UPR) on human rights situation was held, Rwanda being the State under Review (SuR). As Rwandans concerned with the worsening human rights violations, we followed with interest all exchanges that followed the SuR report. We were happy to see some Members of the Council raising important questions on Rwanda’s lack of improvement since last UPR. Indeed, while the country was supposed to comply with last recommendations new cases of violations have been recorded. It seems that at every UPR, Rwanda will have created new incidents of violation of the rule of law, freedoms, democracy, and good governance as well.
These violations are a clear indicator of the lack of political will to adhere to the international human rights standards, and of inertia to implement the international treaties and agreements of which Rwanda is a member until today.
Our contribution, as ISHEMA Party, focuses on freedom of expression, justice, civil and political rights.
Freedom of expression and association
The Constitution of 2003 as amended in 2015 clearly stipulates the right of the citizens to express themselves freely, to have access to information and to adhere to association[1]. Despite this, the citizens are still persecuted for having exercised their rights. During the period of review some cases are still unresolved.
Aimable KARASIRA
In august 2020, Mr Aimable KARASIRA was dismissed[2] by the University of Rwanda where he had been a lecturer of Information technology (IT) for more than a decade. The dismissal took place after Mr KARASIRA created a Youtube channel “Ukuri Mbona”[3] on which he challenged some public policies and vehiculated the injustices he faced twenty-seven years ago. He lamented what he viewed as police state behaviour of the government and became the voice of the voiceless. He commented the 2020 World Happiness Report[4] which ranked Rwandans among the least happy people in world. Before an action was taken against him, a State minister threatened him via twitter[5]. Although Mr KARASIRA exercised his constitutional right, the vice chancellor of the University of Rwanda dismissed him citing non-compliance with the presidential order on public servants’ ethics. This was suspected to be a deliberate ill interpretation of the presidential order aimed at silencing Mr KARASIRA, since no order is supposed to go against the Constitution.
Dieudonné NIYONSENGA aka Cyuma Hassan
This journalist and his driver, Fidèle KOMEZUSENGE, were arrested on April 8th, 2020 on charges of non- compliance with Covi-19 lockdown measures. After ten months, the duo remains in custody without due trial. The true reason of their arrest is their reporting on measures of lockdown that were enforced without taking into consideration the local socio-economic implications and impacts on the welfare. Mr NIYONSENGA reported on sensitive cases where the military personnel committed rape in Bannyahe area[6], and he is the only one to have reported that the body of Kizito MIHIGO presented three wounds on the head[7], an information that contradicted the official version of suicide.
The government should:
Revise the dismissal of Mr KARASIRA, compensate, and reintegrate him in his profession.
Unconditionally release, rehabilitate, and compensate NIYONSENGA Dieudonné and his driver Fidèle KOMEZUSENGE.
Justice and extrajudicial killings
Kizito MIHIGO
Arrested and put in prison in 2014, Kizito MIHIGO was tortured and forced to plead guilty to charges of planning to oust the government of Paul Kagame. His true crime was the song he released, a song that challenged the official version on genocide in Rwanda. In his song “Igisobanuro cy’Urupfu”, Kizito sought to plead for commemoration of Hutu killed during the war and genocide. He emphasized that, although the genocide made him orphan, it could not make him ignore other Rwandans who were killed in other massacres that are not recognized as genocide. He was sentenced to ten years of prison but was released on presidential mercy along with Mrs Victoire INGABIRE. By doing this, Rwanda was seeking to lead the Organisation International de la Francophonie (OIF), a strategy that worked perfectly. On February 17th, 2020; the gospel singer was found dead in his police cell. The police immediately announced that he committed suicide without prior investigation. All calls to carry out an independent inquiry into this mysterious death went unanswered.
Victoire Ingabire
Arrested in 2010 when she wanted to run for presidential elections, Mrs Victoire Umuhoza INGABIRE was tried on charges related to a speech she had delivered requesting the commemoration of the Hutu who were killed by the RPF. She was sentenced to 8 years which was turned into 15 years in the appeal. In 2018, Ingabirewas released along with Kizito Mihigo in a move that sought to promote the Rwanda’s candidate to the post of General Secretary of OIF[8]. The African Court on Human and People’s Rights held that Rwanda has violated Ingabire’s rights and asked that she be paid US$65,000 in compensation[9]. To date, the Government of Rwanda did not implement the court’s order.
Diane SHIMA RWIGARA
She declared her intention to run for the 2017 presidential elections. She was arrested along with her mother and sister. Ms RWIGARA remained in prison until trial which acquitted her after one year in custody[10]. To date, she was never compensated.
The Government should:
Compensate Ms RWIGARA for damages inflicted on her during her imprisonment.
Compensate and rehabilitate Mrs Victoire INGABIRE so that she enjoys civic and political rights taken away by human rights violation.
Implement the African Court on Human and People’s Rights order to compensate Mrs Victoire INGABIRE
Allow an international independent investigation into the killing of Kizito MIHIGO and bring to justice those responsible.
Political space, multiparty system, and elections
The Constitution allows the civic and political rights to be exercised and political parties are legal. However, the registration of new political parties remains tremendously hindered by the Rwanda Governance Board, the state’s agency in charge of monitoring the political organizations activities. As such for the past 12 years, no new political party could register. During the period of review, Ishema Party[11] created in exile attempted to send a team to Rwanda for registration, and to run for 2017 presidential elections but the team was denied entry twice: in November 2016 and January 2017. DALFA – Umurinzi[12], a political organization led by Victoire Ingabire did not get the permission to register November 2019. There were numerous applications which were turned down. As a result, Rwanda has the biggest number of political organisations[13] in exile, a threatening situation.
For the 2017 presidential elections, Ms Diane RWIGARA, Mr Fred SEKIKUBO BARAFINDA saw themselves denied the right to be on the candidates list and were accused of irregularities in their applications. Ms RWIGARA was put in prison[14] and Mr SEKIKUBO was forced into psychic institution[15]; manoeuvres forged to exclude the candidates from the presidential race.
The national electoral commission (NEC) lacks independence that should be its principal pillar. All the officials of the commission are cadres of the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF), other political parties and civil society are not represented, which impairs the neutrality and independence of the electoral body.
Fr. Thomas NAHIMANA, Mrs Nadine Claire KASINGE, Mr Skyler KEJO and Mr Venant NKURUNZIZA
The four comprised the team of ISHEMA Party that was going to register the party in Rwanda and ready for the 2017 presidential elections. The Government of Rwanda denied them entry into the country on November 23rd, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya; and on January 22nd, 2017[16]. The letter that was signed by the immigration Director indicated that the team would not be accepted on the national territory. However, on the first occasion in November 2016, Kagame had threatened the ISHEMA Party’s presidential candidate, hinting on legal pursuit[17]. It should be noted that such a decision to refuse the Rwandan citizens to return home was the same advanced by the RPF to justify their attack of October 1990. This means that anyone who would like to launch a military attack on Rwanda would have a sound justification to do so. The political space remains tightened with most recent political organization having been allowed to register in 2009 despite numerous pending applications requests.
Bernard NTAGANDA
A lawyer of profession, Bernard NTAGANDA founded PS Imberakuri, a political party registered in Rwanda. He was arrested in 2010[18] for trying to run for president office. He was sentenced to four years in prison but at his release, he was denied his rights to exercise his profession or any job in other fields.
The Government should:
Allow the registration of the political parties without any hindrance with a relatively short timeframe for instructing any new application.
Unconditionally release all political prisoners and allow them to enjoy civic and political rights. These should include Déo MUSHAYIDI, Théoneste NIYITEGEKA, Joseph NKUSI, Paul RUSESABAGINA, Callixte NSABIMANA SANKARA, Ignace NKAKA alias La Forge Fils BAZEYE, Lt Col Jean Pierre NSEKANABO and the members of DALFA-UMURINZI, amongst others.
Allow Bernard NTAGANDA to exercise his profession and any other activity of his choice without hindrance.
Dear Members of the Council,
The Government of Rwanda under the RPF has demonstrated its capacity to manipulate the international community to attract compassion. Most importantly, this Government is ready to say what you want to hear, knowingly that the implementation of pledges will not happen. In its submission the Government of Rwanda will show how mechanisms are put in place and most probably, tell lies about accomplishments, just to embellish the presentation. In practice, things are different. The new cases of rights violation show the lack of political will to respect the engagements and to improve the situation.
The respect of human rights, democracy and good governance is our common affair. We are all concerned by what happens in one and all nations. Any failure to prevent human right violations renders us accomplices which is not better than those responsible of atrocities. After three reviews with worsening situation, a tougher action is needed, even imperative for Rwanda’s case.
We are not alone to propose serious measures against the Government of Rwanda to coerce it to cooperate[19]. Economic sanctions could be applied in a manner that does not harm more the victims of the human rights violations. In 2013, the sanctions worked well to end Rwanda’s support to the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo[20].
The Government of should:
Unconditionally, release all journalists and political figures since they are victims of last violations.
Compensate all political figures who suffered losses due to unjust treatment.
Declare a total amnesty to all political figures so that they enjoy their civil and political rights lost.
Organize an Inter- Rwandan inclusive dialogue between the Government of Rwanda and all the active forces, political and civil society actors to determine ways to save the nation against potential armed conflict.
Set up a transition government that integrate all the opposition forces to organize future elections in a credible and inclusive manner.
Over the years, the satanic regime has wasted resources in promoting this kagamist sycophant – Tom Ndahiro as a researcher. How can a senior three dropout become a researcher?
Tom NDAHIRO, a self proclaimed Researcher in Genocide studies
Research is an expertise field that requires immense training, you can’t wake up in the morning and start referring to yourself as a researcher. To become a researcher you must have the training and education, but not self anointing as in the case of this sick Kagamist sycophant Tom Ndahiro alias Rutwe.
During Rwanda Patriotic Army/F liberation war, Tom Ndahiro alias Rutwe was a photographer, most of the photos you see of RPA/F soldiers and cadres were taken by Tom Ndahiro alias Rutwe. And when Rwanda Patriotic Army/F radio – Radio Muhabura started, Tom Ndahiro was given air time slot to yap on behalf of RPA/F.
During the RPA/F liberation war, young rebel soldiers nicknamed him Rutwe or Mbariga, he was nicknamed Mbariga because of his feet’s awkward way during Mucaka Mucaka running with other political cadres. For Rutwe nickname, you can all tell why they nicknamed him that.
After the war in 1994, Tom Ndahiro ventured in media becoming chief editor of Imvaho, but due to his incompetence and lack of skills, he failed to build a career in the media, this is when he woke up and started referring himself as a researcher of Rwanda’s history and 1994 Tutsi genocide. With the help of the satanic regime’s public Relations team, Tom Ndahiro’s researcher tag was publicised, promoted and referred. And he started representing the satanic regime in all genocide related conferences, and now, oppressed and enslaved Rwandans believe that this semiliterate Kagamist sycophant is a researcher.
Forget about the fake and fabricated researcher tag on him; Tom Ndahiro’s real job is being a state informer under National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). He receives operation funds and monthly salary from NISS. His only source of income is through his dirty work of being an NISS agent, his fake research yapping are for propaganda purpose rather than real serious research work.
He is a notorious agent, and leads one of the several Intelligence team that operates on social media. We all know what has happened to those he has negatively written or talked about, and they happen to be living in Rwanda. Lecturer Aimable Karasira is a good case study.
His fake and fabricated intelligence information have led to kidnapping, incarceration, torture and elimination of several innocent people, especially those who post comments that he isn’t happy about or deem to be anti Kagame and his satanic regime.
Kuva ku itariki ya 02/02/2021 ku mbuga nkoranyambaga haracicikana amajwi n’amashusho by’uwitwa Idamange Yvona ugaragaza ibibazo byinshi yibaza kuri guma mu rugo. Bamwe aho kumva ibyo avuga baratinda ku isura ye kugira ngo bamuhe ubwoko bifuza ko ibyo atangaza byakomokamo. Ibi ni ukuzura abazimu babi, ni na cyo kinteye kugira icyo mbivugaho mbere ya byose. Abazimu babi mvuga ni abashakisha ivanguramoko muri buri kintu, bagashaka kwemeza ko umuntu agaragaza ibyishimo cyangwa akababaro bitewe n’ubwoko abarizwamo. Icyo bibagirwa, ni uko hari abantu bamaze kurenga urwo rwego bagahitamo kuvugira abantu aho kuvugira ubwoko, bagatabara abantu aho gutabara ubwoko.
Umuntu wa mbere wikomye Idamange aho kuvuguruza ibyo yatangaje turaziranye. Nkunze kwirinda gutunga agatoki kuko nubaha umuntu uko ari. Gusa uwatangiye kumutoteza mu ba mbere birambabaza cyane kuko muzi agira ubushishozi mu gihe twabanye mu mwuga w’itangazamakuru kugeza muri 2000. Ubu ibyo akora mu nyandiko ze birambabaza ariko nkizera ko azagera igihe akikubita agashyi kuko umuntu wese ashobora kwikosora mu gihe akiriho. Gusa ibyo akora ubu si byiza, birasenya ntibyubaka kandi na we ubwe biramwonona n’ubwo ngo nta wusaza atiyononeye. Icyakora igihe cyari kigeze ngo abamuri hafi n’abamushimagiza bamubwire ko buriya buryo bwo gutera umurundi aho gutera umupira bugenda burushaho gutesha igihugu agaciro. Ni koko kandi kenshi ibyo atangaza byitiranwa n’amatangazo ya leta cyangwa irivuze umwami.
Nshingane Idamange Yvona
Idamange Yvona ni ishusho y’abanyarwanda benshi bafite ibyo bibaza baburiye ibisubizo muri iki gihe. Abanyarwanda bafite ubukene kubera iyi guma mu rugo, ku buryo kuvuga ko ubukene buhari bitagombye kuba guca inka amabere. Ibisobanuro bitangwa kuri Covid 19 si mu Rwanda honyine bigaragaramo urujijo kandi kubishidikanyaho si uguca inka amabere. Kunenga ko ba Mukerarugendo bemerewe kugenda abaturage basanzwe banakeneye gusohoka ngo bakore bo batabyemerewe si amahano. Kugaragaza impungenge ku itangira ry’amashuri ni ubupfura si ubupfayongo.
Kugaragaza ko zitukwamo nkuru kandi ko ubuyobozi bw’Igihugu bukwiye guhumuriza abaturage si ukugoma ahubwo ni ukuburana uburenganzira bw’abanyarwanda. Nasabaga abantu kutihutira kwikoma umuntu, nkanasaba abantu kutirengagiza ibyo Idamange yavuze kuko yabivuganye ikinyabupfura cyinshi ku buryo ari uwo gutegwa amatwi. Kwihutira kumurega gupfobya génocide si wo muti, ahubwo guhora tubona gupfobya génocide muri buri jambo ni ko kuyipfobya cyane. Birakwiye ko iki kintu gicika burundu, génocide ni icyago cyo kwirinda, ntishobora kuba igisubizo ku mpungenge abantu bafite. Niba Idamange wayirokotse atishimiye uburyo kuyibuka bikorwa ni uburenganzira bwe, ni uwo kwegerwa si uwo gutera ubwoba kuko ibyo yabonye byarabumumaze.
Numvise ko Police yatumije Idamange ku musi w’ejo. Birakwiye ko aho kumuhohotera nk’uko bijya bibaho, ahubwo uyu waba umwanya wo kumuhumuririza hamwe n’abandi banyarwanda benshi bafite impungenge kandi zifite ishingiro. Abanyarwanda dukeneye kubana kivandimwe, dukeneye gukundana, dukeneye kandi guhumurizanya aho guhungetana. Imana irinde u Rwanda n’abanyarwanda.
U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Rwanda
37th SessionGeneva, January 25, 2021
As Delivered by Charles Bentley, U.S. Mission to International Organizations in GenevaThe United States warmly welcomes the Rwandan delegation.We recommend that Rwanda:
Promote the right to freedom of expression by ending detentions and harassment of members of the media and civil society for their reporting.
Independently and transparently investigate credible allegations of unlawful or arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, and enforced disappearances of human rights defenders, political opponents, and journalists, prosecuting alleged perpetrators under the law.
Enforce the protection of all persons’ rights to life and liberty by strengthening the independence of the justice system and ensuring no one is convicted on the basis of information extracted under torture or duress.
We commend Rwanda’s progress increasing gender equality and access to education. However, we are concerned about limited civic and political space, specifically unduly burdensome permitting requirements which inhibit the right of peaceful assembly.
GAHUNDE 