Skip to main content

Latest Analysis

Independent analysis, commentary and investigations on Africa, the Great Lakes Region and international accountability.

Rwanda: FDU-INKINGI urges His Excellency Paul Kagame, in his capacity as president of the RPF-INKOTANYI, to put an end to acts of provocation against political opponents, using the security services


Rwanda: FDU-INKINGI urges His Excellency Paul Kagame, in his capacity as president of the RPF-INKOTANYI, to put an end to acts of provocation against political opponents, using the security services

FEBRUARY 14, 2013  
Kigali, February 11, 2013
The political party FDU INKINGI strongly condemns once again the RPF INKOTANYI's leadership and its government, which pursue their sinister maneuvers aimed at manipulating the security services in order to harass opposition leaders by fomenting false criminal investigations so that they can justify arbitrary arrests, kidnappings or forced evictions.
On the morning of February 11, 2013 at 6:30am, the police surrounded the home of Dominique Shyirambere, resident of Amajyambere Village, Kamatamu Cell, Kacyiru Sector and Gasabo District. The police exhibited a search warrant alleging counterfeiting activities. The operation was conducted by a police officer in uniform whose name is Karenzi. The police found on Mr. Dominique Shyirambere a paltry amount of 40,000 Rwf free from any suspicion of counterfeit currency
Despite the fact that the search had drawn a blank, the police handcuffed Mr. Dominique Shyirambere and led him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where he was interrogated. They finally decided to take him to the police jail in Remera. When the convoy was about to pass the residence of the U.S. ambassador, the police received a phone call then stopped the vehicle. After the phone conversation, the police released Mr. Shyirambere immediately. Curiously, the police did not return him the keys to his house and confiscated his 40 000 Rwf.
This is not the first time that this fighter for democracy is the victim of acts of denunciation by the RPF's Intore. In fact, they never stop harassing him. Recently, he was attacked in his home at night by another RPF militia known as the Inkeragutabara who besieged him throughout the night because he refused to open the door. At sunrise, when they managed to get inside his home, they violently beat him. When his neighbors, including Sylvain Sibomana, the Secretary General of FDU-INKINGI, rushed in to see what was happening, they were in turn beaten too. When the police were called in to the rescue they realized that these were the RPF militia. They decided to merely console the victims and dismissed the militia without any charges.
We take this opportunity to call upon the authorities to ensure the safety of Mr. Shyirambere. We will hold them responsible for anything that might happen to him. By the same time, we denounce the confiscation of the victim's keys because the police can enter his home anytime and temper with evidence to find charges against him.
These mafia-like actions have become legion. Last month, FDU INKINGI member, Théophile Ntirutwa, resident of the Kangondo I village, Nyarutarama cell, Remera sector and Gasabo district, suffered the same abuses. He was driven out of his home on the pretext that he held meetings in his pub.
It will also be recalled that this is the same scenario that was used by the security services to arbitrarily arrest and detain 7 months ago, 7 young members of our political party native of Rutsiro district, under the pretext that they had met with the Secretary General of the party.
The political party FDU INKINGI cannot indefinitely close its eyes to such acts. We solemnly ask Paul Kagame, in his capacity as president of the RPF-INKOTANYI, to stop these acts of provocation. We ask him to accept a genuine political debate rather than resorting to the security services in order to harass his political opponents. This is all the more incomprehensible given the fact that President Kagame said that his party base is so popular that he is not afraid of opposition at all. This is what he said during the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his party, the RPF.
We are imbued with the desire to build our country thereby paving the way of justice, freedom and respect for human rights. We are committed to peaceful resistance. We know very well that the RPF chose another route so that it can access to power but we are convinced that violence does not bring lasting peace. Instead of spilling the blood of the Rwandan people, we will endeavor to conciliate and to promote peace and save the lives of the Rwandan citizens, keeping in mind that it is they who are the strength of our country and a catalyst for sustainable development.
We once again call for the unconditional release of our 7 members detained in Muhanga prison. We call for an end to harassment, evictions, intimidation against honest and innocent Rwandan citizens, especially those who are members of the democratic opposition. The day when all the people shall rise up as one man to demand an end to the dictatorship, it will be impossible to put behind bars 11 million people.
Instead of trying to nip in the bud all democratic demands, the Rwandan government would be better advised to accompany them, not in the interest of the regime, but of the country.
 
FDU-INKINGI
Boniface Twagirimana.
Interim Vice-President
CC.
* HE Secretary General of the UN
* Security Council of the UN
* Human Rights Organizations (all)
* African Commission on Human Rights
* Press Agencies (all)

Comments

Post a Comment

Support Our Work Now !

Africa Realities Media is independent. Your support helps us expose injustice, challenge silence and produce evidence-based analysis on Africa and the Great Lakes Region.

Recent Posts

Show more
Africa Realities Media offre un espace aux écrivains, chercheurs, experts, activistes, voix communautaires, militants, analystes et personnes ayant une expérience vécue qui souhaitent contribuer à des contenus réfléchis, responsables et courageux sur les changements nécessaires dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les réalités politiques, économiques, culturelles et sociales africaines souvent ignorées, minimisées ou mal représentées. Nos articles et vidéos visent à ouvrir le débat, renforcer la sensibilisation, encourager la pensée critique et favoriser une réflexion plus profonde sur les réalités vécues par les populations africaines. Nous voulons aider les peuples de la région des Grands Lacs à mieux comprendre leurs droits, notamment leurs droits humains, leur droit au développement, leur droit à la dignité, à la sécurité, au bien-être et à une vie meilleure. À travers nos contenus, nous cherchons également à rappeler aux décideurs, aux institutions publiques, aux acteurs régionaux et internationaux, ainsi qu’aux responsables politiques, leur devoir de transparence, de responsabilité et de redevabilité envers les populations qu’ils prétendent servir. Notre objectif est de contribuer à une culture de vérité, de justice, de participation citoyenne et de protection égale pour tous les peuples africains.

Why We Exist

Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states, ruling elites, armed groups, military forces and security services. But these abuses are often sustained by international silence, Western lobbying, trade interests, migration deals, mineral access, diplomatic partnerships and unequal global accountability. Africa Realities Media exposes that system.

Lived Experience Matters

Survivors, displaced communities, refugees, families affected by repression, journalists, activists, women, young people and diaspora voices are not passive subjects. They are knowledge holders. Their experiences must shape policy, advocacy, journalism and public debate. The people closest to injustice are often closest to the solutions.

Our Principle

Africa Realities Media is rooted in one principle: African lives deserve equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.

Popular Posts

Why Africa Realities Media Is Different

Africa Realities Media speaks to Africa and to the developed world. Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states and ruling elites, but they are often protected by international silence, lobbying, public relations, trade interests, migration deals and unequal global accountability. While governments pay lobbyists to present a good image abroad, ordinary African people continue to face violence, hunger, disease, poverty, repression and exclusion. We challenge the normalisation of African suffering and demand equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.

Pourquoi Africa Realities Media est différent?

Africa Realities Media s’adresse à l’Afrique et au monde développé. De nombreux abus subis par les peuples africains sont commis par des États africains et des élites dirigeantes, mais ils sont souvent protégés par le silence international, le lobbying, les relations publiques, les intérêts commerciaux, les accords migratoires et une responsabilité mondiale inégale. Tandis que des gouvernements paient des lobbyistes pour présenter une bonne image à l’étranger, des Africains ordinaires continuent de faire face à la violence, à la faim, aux maladies, à la pauvreté, à la répression et à l’exclusion. Nous contestons la normalisation de la souffrance africaine et exigeons une vérité égale, une justice égale et une protection égale.

BBC News

Loading...

Policy and Systems Change

Our work is designed to trigger debate, discomfort and action. We do not only expose injustice; we work for policy and systems change. We want governments and institutions to address the root causes of inequality, disadvantage, discrimination, exclusion and barriers affecting African people. We believe lasting change must be shaped by people with lived experience.

Exposing Injustice in Africa

Africa Realities Media is an independent African accountability platform based in London. We report, analyse and challenge the systems that shape African suffering, silence African victims and protect abusive power. We are not here to repeat diplomatic language. We are here to ask the questions that are often avoided: why are African deaths treated as normal? Why are African victims given less urgency? Why are governments that imprison, exclude, displace or kill their own people protected when they serve powerful international interests?

Africanews

Loading...
Africa Realities Media gives space to writers, researchers, experts, activists, community voices, campaigners, analysts and people with lived experience who want to contribute thoughtful, responsible and courageous content about the changes needed in the region, as well as the political, economic, cultural and social African realities that are often ignored, minimised or misrepresented. Our articles and videos aim to encourage debate, raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking and support reflection. We seek to help people in the Great Lakes Region understand their rights to human rights, development and wellbeing, while also encouraging decision-makers to be more transparent, responsive and accountable.

Appel à contributions

Sensibilisez le public aux causes qui vous tiennent à cœur. Prenez part au changement que vous souhaitez voir émerger. Aidez à combattre l’injustice partout où elle se manifeste.

Africa Realities Media accueille des articles originaux, analyses, tribunes, réflexions communautaires et commentaires fondés sur des faits concernant la région des Grands Lacs africains, ainsi que les questions liées à la justice, aux droits humains, à la gouvernance, aux conflits, à la paix, aux réfugiés, aux ressources naturelles et à la responsabilité publique en Afrique.

Nous accueillons également les annonces concernant de nouvelles ou d’anciennes publications liées à nos domaines d’intérêt. Vous pouvez annoncer gratuitement votre publication, notamment un livre, un rapport, une étude, un article académique ou tout autre travail pertinent.

Les articles doivent être rédigés en anglais ou en français et ne doivent pas dépasser 1 500 mots.

Veuillez inclure le nom complet de l’auteur, qui sera publié avec l’article s’il est accepté.

Avant de soumettre votre article, veuillez d’abord lire nos pages du site web afin de vérifier si votre article correspond à nos priorités éditoriales, à nos thèmes et à nos domaines d’intérêt.

Si vous avez un article, un commentaire ou une annonce de publication à partager avec un public plus large, veuillez l’envoyer par email à :

africarealitiesmedia@gmail.com

Nous étudierons la possibilité de publier gratuitement les articles et annonces de publications appropriés s’ils répondent à nos critères éditoriaux, notamment la pertinence, la clarté, l’originalité, l’intérêt public, le respect des communautés concernées et l’utilisation responsable des informations et des preuves.

Les articles sont publiés tels qu’ils sont soumis s’ils répondent à nos critères et à notre politique éditoriale. Nous ne procédons pas à une modification supplémentaire de votre article avant sa publication.