Blog

Jacques Mungwarere, 39, a Rwandan genocide fugitive has appeared before a judge today at a Canadian court.

He is the second Rwandan to be prosecuted under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, introduced in 2000 and allows for prosecution no matter where or when an alleged war crime may have been committed.

A large group of potential jurors in Ottawa were abruptly sent home today after Mungwarere did an about-face, electing to be tried by a judge alone at his war crimes trial.

The first person prosecuted under the act is Desire Munyaneza, who wassentenced to life in prison in 2009.

The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) arrested Mungwarere in 2009 in Windsor, Ont. A million ethnic Tutsis were killed in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi that lasted over a hundred days.

Mungwarere is a former schoolteacher who led or participated in mass killings of civilians, including notorious massacres in two churches and a hospital in Kibuye.

He was tracked in early 2003 after being recognised by a childhood friend from Rwanda on a city bus in Windsor, where he settled after immigrating to Canada in 1998.

Mungwarere’s case was set to be relatively unique among war crimes trials in that he had chosen to have his case heard before both a judge and a jury. War crimes cases are almost exclusively presided over by judges.

Nyiransabimana Vestine 36 has spent Four Months undergoing treatment at CHUK hospital at bed number 44. A Man poured Acid on her face because she refused to get married to him.

She is seeking help estimated at Frw 7million to enable her receive enhanced medical treatment outside Rwanda preferably in India.

Nyiransabimana says was attacked with acid 11 January by Twizeyimana Ephrem. Nyiransabimana explained that she was attacked after she refused a marriage proposal from Twizeyimana.

She refused to marry Twizeyimana because she was in love with another man with whom they were planning to wed on 12 February 2012.

Nyiransabimana told IGIHE that she is a mother of two children. She studied at Kigali Health Institute KHI. She had been legally married before but later divorced but court ruled that she keeps custody of the two children.

After her divorce, She entered a civil marriage with another man on 29 December 2011.

On 12 February 2012, the two were slated to wed in church and had already issued invitation cards to friends, relatives, and in-laws to attend the church wedding.

However, after noticing distribution of Invitation cards, Twizeyimana started asking Nyiransabimana why she turned down his marriage proposal, “ so you refused me because iam poor? Do not be fooled by your beauty. I can disorganize it”.

January 11 2012, Twizeyimana went to Nyiransabimana’s home at about 7PM, he requested her to help her top up Tigo phone credit. He also asked her to get out of the livingroom because he needed to make a phone call from outside where it was calm.

Nyiransabimana agreed to get out of the house and later as she was toping up phone credit on the phone, Twizeyimana poured Acid on her face. The acid was in a cup which Nyiransabimana didn’t not suspect contained a dangerous substance.

Twizeyimana immediately told her, “Now go and beg and experience how it feels to be poor”. Since then his whereabouts aren’t known.

However, rumours had it that Twizeyimana had paid tution fees for Nyiransabimana to study at the Kigali Health Institute probably with a dream that they would thereafter get married.

Nyiransabimana denies the rumours saying, “that’s a naked lie. I studied by the help of government loan. I knew Twizeyimana after completing my studies.”

The effect of Acid attack on her body is unbelievable. Her chest is destroyed. it necessitated doctors to remove flesh from her other parts of the body and graft it on her chest.

She is currently bandaged all over the body and one might not notice her.

The visiting Indian doctors recently met her at her hospital bed…they told her her situation can be delt with successfully in India if she can afford to raise funds equivalent to Frw 7Million.

However, Nyiransabimana says she cant afford this amount of money.she thus requests help from good Samaritans so that she can seek further treatment abroad after which she can be able to raise her children.

Nyiransabimana can be reached on her cell phones 250 788511830 or 250728511830. She requests any financial help to be deposited on her account at the Bank Populaire: A/C 403107659011.

He children one of whom is currently psychologically affected, are currently being taken care of by her neighbours where she used to live at Gitega suburb in Kigali city.

A teenager in Kayonza district identified as Joseph Dushimimana 17, has been arrested after he allegedly defiled a four-year old girl.

Police in Kayonza arrested Dushimimana a resident of Musumba cell, Nyamirama sector.

The suspect is said to have pounced on the girl while her parents were involved in community work-Umuganda.

According to Police sources, the victim told the mother that the neighbour had sexually abused her. The Mother in turn informed local Police.

Police later apprehend the culprit and detained him at Nyamirama Police station. The little girl was taken to Rwinkavu hospital for medical examination.

Though the culprit is minor, he is likely to be taken to social rehabilitation centers if found guilty. Police calls on parents not to leave children alone while at work and ensure that they are in the hands on minders.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege said, “Children should not be left alone. There should always be minders to take care of them and hence prevent such incidences from happening”.

Unknown people have attacked and completely cut down a banana plantation at Save-Nyabisindi, Kiramuruzi in Gatsibo district. The incidence happened on Saturday night while it was raining.

The plantation area measuring ‘20 by 25 meters’belonged to Ndungutse Emmanuel.

It is not the first time such a crime has been committed in the area. Local residents told IGIHE that a similar incidence happened in a nearby village.

Ruboneza Ambroise the Mayor of Gatsibo district told IGIHE that the Suspects have already been arrested pending investigations.

Residents are overwhelmed by such acts of vandalism. One of the residents told IGIHE “such acts indicate that the perpetrators could easily harm someone if they came into contact”.

However, Kiramuruzi sector leader, Kirangira Bishop told IGIHE that he suspects such acts of vandalism could be a result of existing disputes.

KIrangira urged residents in the area to solve their disputes mutually with the help of authorities rather than taking the laws into their hands.

In DR-Congo the tribal militia Mai-Mai Cheka and their allies seized Friday 27 April, the town of Luvungi 65 km west of Walikale in North Kivu.

The group Cheka and its allies invaded the town of Luvungi around 22 hours forcing local security forces fleeing without resistance.

Sources said that the Mai Mai Cheka militia operates in coalition with deserters from the Congolese army and the FDC-Guides.

A special police unit had been deployed in this locality in March 2011 as part of a project of the international community, to secure women victims of mass rape in November 2010.

Local sources say the victims of rape have been living in fear of reliving what happened; In November 2010, the Mai-Mai had invaded the town, raping dozens of women.

The Family of Gilbert Nizeyimana(photo above) requests concerned authorities to help them in finding of their son who went missing on 25 April and up to now, there is no information about his whereabouts.

A member of Nizeyimana’s family told IGIHE that Nizeyimana was the manager of KAKA printing Express located next to Nkurunziza in Kigali City.

Its alleged that an unknown caller telephoned Nizeyimana on Thursday at about midday. By then Nizeyimana was at Nyamirambo attending to his business.

After the call, Nizeyimana told his workmates including his driver, that someone had telephoned him and jumped onto a motor taxi and headed to the city center to meet with the caller.

However, after 30 minutes, the driver called Nizeyimana with intention of asking him about something in connection with work but was unable to reach him on mobile phone, as it was unavailable.

On suspecting that Nizeyimana was missing, the family inquired from his workmates and friends who both said hadn’t seen him and later the family members tried to cross check with all hospitals around the city but all in vain.

Later the family notified Muhima Police station. Police promised to launch a search for Nizeyimana with effect from 30 April.

Supt. Theos Badege the Police Spokesperson told IGIHE that whenever, police are notified of a missing person, the search is immediately launched to determine the whereabouts of the missing person depending on the manner in which they went missing.

Police is interrogating a radio Journalist suspected of uttering statements on radio that were deemed to promote genocide ideology.

Until his arrest, Habarugira Epaphrodite was working for RADIO HUGUKA based in Muhanga district.

Haburugira was arrested on 24 April after allegedly uttering during the 22 April news bulletin live on radio statements that defame and ridicule victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide that claimed a million lives.

The management of Huguka Radio immediately issued a letter terminating Habarugira from radio effective 23 April.

Alain Mukuralinda the National Prosecution publicist told IGIHE that Habarugira’s Dossier was forwarded to national prosecution on 26 April adding that Next week; prosecution will determine whether to submit the case to court or set Habarugira free.

Huguka Radio Manager Ndekezi Eugène told IGIHE in a telephone interview “Habarugira’s dossier is already in the hands of the Judiciary. Subject to the law. I cannot divulge any details”.

Ndekezi further noted that he is confident that the country’s Judiciary has the capacity to determine the truth in the charges against Habarugira.

Every year from on April 7 Rwandan’s honour victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide. Over the course of 100 days, ethnic Tutsis were brutally murdered.

This year the world joined Rwandans in the 18th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi’s under a theme “Learning from our history to build a bright future.”

In Kenya today morning a grenade attack at a Church in Nairobi’s Ngara area has left one person dead and ten others injured. Local Media has confirmed. The attack occured during prayers.

Six of the injured are at the Guru Nanak hospital along Muranga road, while four others said to be in critical condition have been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Sunday’s attack at God’s House of Miracle International Church comes days after the United States embassy issued a warning of a looming attack within Nairobi.

The embassy issued an advisory last Monday, claiming a possible attack was in the last stages of planning.

Citing credible intelligence, the warning urged American citizens in Kenya to be vigilant of the personal security.

“Timing of the attack is not known, however, the Embassy has reason to believe that the potential attack is in the last stages of planning. The U.S. Embassy urges Americans to remain aware of their surroundings and vigilant of their personal security,” a statement from the embassy said.

Honourable Jesca Eriyo from the Republic of Uganda is the new Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community with immediate effect from 30th April 2012.

Hon. Eriyo’s appointment was confirmed at the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Heads of State at Arusha in Tanzania on 28th April.

Hon. Eriyo is Uganda’s former State Minister for Environment. She replaces Beatrice Kiraso, the outgoing Secretary General whose two-year mandate has expired.

Also during the 10th Extraodinary Heads of state summit, the contract of Jean Claude Nsengiyumva (Deputy Secretary General – Productive and Social Sectors) contract was renewed.

East African Community (EAC) presidents converged in Arusha on Saturday to, among other issues, discuss the application by South Sudan to join the regional bloc.

Following the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Heads of State at Arusha in Tanzania today 28th April 2012, a Joint communiqué has been released expounding on details of the deliberations. Below is a complete extract of the document.

The East African Community Heads of State, their Excellencies President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the summit, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda and first Vice President HE. Thérence Sinunguruza of the Republic of Burundi held the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania on 28th April 2012.

2 The Heads of State and Government met in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

3 The Summit commended the Council of Ministers for taking the lead in the elimination of non tariff barriers to enhance free circulation of goods and services in the community and directed that decisions taken to this effect be implemented expeditiously.

4 The summit commended hon. Beatrice B. Kiraso who was completing her term of office as deputy secretary general of the east African community in charge of political federation for her exemplary service during the past six years. The summit wished Hon. Kiraso well in her future endeavours.

5 The summit noted that the contract for the executive director of the civil aviation safety and security oversight agency (CASSOA), Mr. Mtesigwa Maugo was due to expire in May 2012.

6 The Summit commended Mr. Mtesigwa Maugo for his outstanding service to the community and wished him well in his future endeavors.

7 The Summit appointed Hon. Jesca Eriyo from the Republic of Uganda new deputy Secretary General of the East African Community with effect from 30th April 2012.

8 The Summit renewed the contract of Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva as deputy Secretary General for a final term of three years with effect from 30th April 2012.

9 The Summit directed the Secretary General to deploy the Deputy Secretaries General to different departments.

10 The Summit received a progress report of the Council of Ministers on the attainment of a single customs territory.

11 The Summit adopted in principle the destination model of clearance of goods where assessment and collection of revenue is at the first point of entry and revenues are remitted to the destination partner states subject to the fulfillment of key pre-conditions to be developed by the high level task force.

12 The Summit directed the council to initiate its operationalisation and report progress at the 14th Ordinary Summit in November 2012.

13 The Summit considered the report of the council of ministers on the application of the republic of south Sudan to join the East African Community. The Summit noted that the council has initiated the verification process of the application. The Summit directed the council to expedite this process and report at the 14th Ordinary Summit in November 2012.

14 The Heads of State signed the East African Community Protocol on Co-operation in Defense. The summit directed that the protocol be ratified and instruments of ratification deposited with the secretary general by 30th November 2012 and that the negotiations on the mutual defense pact commence immediately thereafter.

15 The Summit approved the proposed remuneration of the Judge President and the Principal Judge for the East African Court of Justice.

16 The Summit reviewed the security situation in the East African Region.
17 The Summit expressed concern on the ongoing conflict between the republic of Sudan and the republic of south Sudan and appreciated the role partner states have played in resolving the conflict in the Sudan and expressed its determination to continue to play this positive role in resolving the conflicts in countries that border the EAC.

18 The Summit urged the leaders of the Republics of the Sudan and South Sudan to return to the negotiating table and find peaceful means of resolving all the outstanding issues in the comprehensive peace agreement.

19 The Summit welcomed the London Conference on Somalia of February 2012 and noted that it marked a turning point in the country’s quest for peace and stability. The Summit further commended the African union mission in Somalia (amisom) working with the transitional government of Somalia for returning peace to large areas of Somalia and calls on the transitional national government of Somalia to consolidate the benefits of peace to the benefit of the people of Somalia.

20 The Summit welcomed the resolution by the East African Legislative Assembly for expediting amendment of the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community to extend jurisdiction of the east African Court of Justice or the conclusion of the protocol on this matter.

The summit noted the need to look into the matter of extending this jurisdiction to cover, among others crimes against humanity. The summit directed the council of ministers to consider this matter by end of May 2012 and report to an Extraordinary Summit to be convened immediately thereafter.

21 The Summit resolved to hold a dedicated session on infrastructure development and financing in the region at the 14th ordinary summit in November 2012.

22 Their Excellencies, President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and chairperson of the summit, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, and First Vice President Rt. Hon. Therence Sinunguruza of the republic of Burundi thanked their host, His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, for the warm and cordial hospitality extended to them and their respective delegations during their stay in Arusha.