Rwanda: Kagame has referred himself as Hitler

by Chief Editor|www.rwandarwabanyarwanda.over-blog.com

Kigali – President Paul Kagame on Wednesday accused foreign critics of trying to impose values on Rwanda as well as preferring ‘hooligans’ to govern the country – categorically singling-out opposition politician Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, RNA reports.

In a firry 45-minute address to mark the 16th anniversary of the 1994 Tutsi Genocide, Mr. Kagame accused the opposition – specifically naming Ms. Ingabire in person, of “political hooliganism”. The President also accused the critics of “abusing me” in the name of freedom of expression, but said he is “not bothered at all”.

“Some people here want to encouraging political hooliganism,” he said in English, before going into a tirade of attacks on Ingabire, as the crowd behind him was in constant applause.

“Some people just come from nowhere…useless people…I see every time in pictures some lady who had her deputy – a Genocide criminal, talking about ‘there is Genocide but there is another’…that is politics…and the world is also saying ‘the opposition leader’…”

The President was referring to Mr. Joseph Ntawangundi, the aide to Ms. Ingabire who was recently sentenced to 17 years for Genocide.

“They call me Hitler”

In a culmination with loud applause and clapping from the audience, President added: “To that we say a big no. And if anybody wants a fight, then we will give them a fight”.

The President dismissed the notion of free expression as promoted by his foreign critics such as campaign groups, saying Rwandans know what freedom means more than anybody else can teach them. He also attacked those he described as “constantly meddling in our politics” by propagating and making up “lies” about his government.

The President warned his critics of hiding behind freedom of express to “abuse me” but also added that he does not “give a damn”.

“They break tool, they call me Hitler…am not bothered at all…I just hold them in contempt,” he said amid more applause. He wondered how his critics attack him and “at the same time complain about press freedom?”

“You are even free to abuse people, you have no respect for anything…and you turn around to complain that you have no freedom to express yourself? …What more do you want to express about yourself or about others?”

“Ni watu gani awo?”

Mr. Kagame said “bad national politics converged with bad international politics” to cause what was being commemorated at today April 07 for the next three months.

“Who are these giving anyone here lessons honestly? …Ni watu gani awo? …who are these? …are these Rwandans complaining? …or have they sent you to complain on their behalf? …” he wondered in a mixture of English, Kinyarwanda and Swahili, amid applause.

He added: “These Rwandans you see here and elsewhere are as free, as happy [and] as proud of themselves, like they have never been in their lives.”

The President accused the west of preferring to criticize his government but do not want to be held responsible for their role in the Genocide. He also said the west was undermining “our dignity”, “our values” and “our pride”, arguing that democracy took time to get to the current level in their countries.

“They wake up in the morning, distort [the] situation, tell lies about everything…plus they are responsible for many of the things that put here today to commemorate this Genocide…,” he said.

“…yet when they talk about freedom of expression, they don’t want you to express yourself about their responsibility in this Genocide…What freedoms are you teaching me if you cant take responsibility for the politics that killed one million people in Rwanda.”

The Generals

He added: “I know those who say it and support that, know it is wrong. But [it] is an expression of contempt these people have for Rwandans and for Africans…that they think Africans deserve to be led by these hooligans.”

Turning his guns on the government officials who are fleeing the country apparently complaining about “no political space”, the President accused them of “running away from accountability”.

“These Generals fleeing the country should not be taken seriously,” he said, in apparent reference to ex-army chief Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa, who has political asylum in South Africa.

Earlier, Sports and Culture Minister Joseph Habineza also attacked the man behind the Hollywood movie ‘Hotel Rwanda’. Mr. Habineza did not name Mr. Paul Rusesabagina but was clearly referring to him.

Using poetic speech, the Minister also fired at the vocal opposition causing laughter in the otherwise somber occasion, saying they are blocking the reconciliation among Rwandans.

Paul Kagame lights the flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center

Earlier, in the same stadium amid silence as thousands waited for the arrival of the President, loud cries could be heard from difference sections as survivors erupted in emotional bursts. They continued all through the hours-long function – indicative of survivors remembering their traumatic experiences.

At exactly 12:00, a minute silence was observed in the stadium, as with other areas where commemoration activities were ongoing.

A women survivor narrated how she has rebuilt her life very successfully over the last sixteen years. Her ordeal started on April 07 in Kigali, that by April 12, she could barely move herself as she had been machetted on several parts of her body. The advancing RPF rebels saved her and others on this date – providing all sorts of aid.

As part of the national vigil, local musicians including those from within and outside of Rwanda sung emotional songs composed for the commemoration. White was the top colour they were dressed in – with some combinations of black trousers.

A group of about 200 children – wearing white dresses and purple coverings on their heads delivered a moving presentation in a mixture of English and Kinyarwanda. All through the act coupled with singing, poems and messages of hope for the survivors, traumatic outbursts could be heard as people were driven up by emotion.

Earlier, President Kagame led a brief vigil at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center where some 250,000 victims are laid to rest. In the courtyard of the Centre, the President lit a flame, which will burn for 100 days in symbolic recognition of the 100 days of the Tutsi slaughter.

Commemorative activities were taking place at village level across the country. In Kigali, city authorities organised a procession from Kacyiru to the national stadium in the afternoon.

Can Congo’s incompetent government make the most of new oil finds?

Apr 8th 2010 | KINSHASA | From The Economist print edition

IN THE wake of exciting oil discoveries on the eastern side of Lake Albert, which separates north-eastern Congo from Uganda, the Congolese government is trying to emulate its smaller neighbour by wooing foreign investors to help rejuvenate its country’s ramshackle but potentially rich economy. But Congo is not Uganda. Though the Ugandans have their share of headaches—for instance, the murderously messianic Lord’s Resistance Army that has ravaged parts of northern Uganda and neighbouring regions—they have at least a core of functioning institutions and infrastructure that the Congolese woefully lack. But Congo’s leaders are hoping a similar oil bonanza will give their country the boost it so badly needs.

At present Congo gets only 28,000 barrels a day, courtesy of a French company, Perenco, from onshore and offshore blocks along its sliver of Atlantic coastline between Angola to the south and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda to the north (see map). But the Congolese are looking to their bit of Lake Albert in the far north-east, where reserves of 2 billion barrels are said to await exploitation. Some of the biggest American, French and Italian oil companies are sniffing around, with Total apparently nosing ahead.

But developing Congo’s newly discovered oilfields will be tricky. For a start, the area is not safe. Two years ago seven people were killed in a couple of skirmishes between Congolese and Ugandans, in one case involving a British contractor, on Lake Albert. A South African-led oil consortium keen to explore the Congolese blocks has given the government $1.5 million to help it police its side of the lake.

Worse, Congo’s president, Joseph Kabila, who managed to be abroad when a recent glitzy oil conference took place in Kinshasa, his capital, has failed to woo or reassure investors. Several independent oil companies, including Tullow, the Irish one that has led the way in Uganda, have been waiting years for presidential decrees giving them the final go-ahead to start exploring blocks for which they have already paid “signature bonuses” (upfront initial payments), in some cases for around $2m a go. To make matters worse, some licences to exploit blocks are being disputed.

In any event, Mr Kabila’s government must tackle several other oil-related issues. It has to settle its differences—over demarcation of its coastal boundaries, for one thing—with Angola, the region’s new oil giant, whose co-operation it requires in oil and political matters. Congo’s parliament must pass a new hydrocarbons code to attract outside investors. With elections due in 2011, it could usefully offer a fresh bunch of signature bonuses to get some cash into the national coffers. And finally it needs to meet the conditions that would entitle it to full membership of the club whose members sign up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. This requires governments and foreign energy and mining companies to publish full details of their dealings to ensure that corrupt secret payments are kept to a minimum. But Mr Kabila has yet to convince foreign companies that Congo is willing to play straight.

Des combats à Mbandaka

Par Le Potentiel

Week-end agité à Mbandaka, chef-lieu de la province de l’Equateur. Des combats opposent dans la ville même les FARDC aux éléments armés. A en croire des coups de fil en provenance de Mbandaka, le gouvernorat serait attaqué et des éléments armés se dirigeraient vers l’aéroport. Ainsi, après Dongo, Makanza, c’est maintenant le tour de Mbandaka de connaître des moments d’insécurité avec toutes les conséquences que cela entraîne tant sur le plan social, économique qu’humain. Il y a lieu d’arrêter cette spirale de combats meurtriers qui ne livre pas encore ses secrets.

Confusion à Mbandaka, chef-lieu de la Province de l’Equateur. Si au niveau de l’assemblée provinciale, on s’empoigne pour le bureau de cette instance provinciale, les habitants de la ville de Mbandaka se sont réveillés ce dimanche pascal sous les tirs de balles. Des coups de feu ont été entendus du côté de la résidence du gouverneur ; « le gouvernorat ». Il semble, selon les premiers éléments d’information parvenus à Kinshasa, les assaillants auraient occupé le « gouvernorat pendant quelques heures » avant de poursuivre en direction de l’aéroport. Selon Radio Okapi, les insurgés ont occupé l’aéroport après des combats à l’armes lourde.

Mais en début d’après-midi d’hier dimanche, des personnes jointes par téléphone, ont confirmé le déroulement des combats qui augmentaient d’intensité. On ignorait encore si dans leur progression, les assaillants ne se sont pas emparés de la « poudrière » pour expliquer justement cette intensité de combats.

Ces assaillants, selon un habitant de Mbandaka, sont arrivés à Mbandaka à bord d’un bateau «Malaïka», a-t-on appris à Kinshasa accosté au port de Bakinta en tirant des coups de feu nourris avant d’attaquer le gouvernorat, situé au bord du fleuve. Ils seraient une centaine.

Avant les combats de ce week-end, l’on se rappellera que les autorités provinciales avaient fait état de l’arrestation de certaines personnes de la bande à Ondjanli, ce mystérieux chef des Enyele, dont notamment son chauffeur. Le 24 mars 2010, dans une déclaration faite à la presse et reprise par le journal L’Observateur, le Commandant de la IIIè région militaire, le général Michel Ekutshu, avait reconnu que les accrochages avaient eu bel et bien lieu le jeudi 25 mars dans la localité de Bomongo, province de l’Equateur entre les FARDC et les insurgés Enyele.

Selon lui, les insurgés avaient tendu une embuscade aux éléments des FARDC dans la localité de Bomongo et les accrochages avaient fait 21 morts du côté des insurgés, tandis que du côté des FARDC, un soldat a été tué.

Que des combats se déroulent en plein centre de Mbandaka, c’est dire que la situation est sérieuse. Elle appelle de la part des autorités des FARDC, de Mbandaka et de Kinshasa, des réactions urgentes et efficaces.

DE DONGO A MBANDAKA

Cette situation inquiétante appelle également à une réaction efficace doublée d’une réflexion profonde. En fait, tout est parti de Dongo avant d’atteindre Mbandaka en passant par Makanza, sans oublier toutes les localités situées sur ce parcours. Si l’on peut reconnaître les efforts entrepris par les autorités tant nationales que provinciales pour rétablir l’ordre et l’autorité de l’Etat, il y a lieu de reconnaître qu’il y a là un goût d’inachevé. Que les véritables meneurs, les instigateurs ne sont pas encore arrêtés, ni neutralisés et procéderaient certainement par distraction pour progresser, selon leurs objectifs prévisionnels.

Sinon Mbandaka ne serait pas touché comme c’est le cas maintenant. De un.

La deuxième réflexion soulève une autre série d’interrogations. Qui sont ces assaillants qui savent se servir d’armes et donnent l’impression de bien faire « la guerre » pour narguer les FARDC ? Comment sont-ils approvisionnés en armes quand on sait qu’ avec la situation géographique, la RDC partage ses frontières avec le Congo Brazzaville et la RCA du côté de la Probince de l’ Equateur? Quel est leur effectif ? Comment expliquer que des « paysans » qui se sont battus pour des étangs de poisson deviennent subitement des « éléments armés » ? Il revient au gouvernement d’apporter désormais des réponses précises à ces interrogations.

Il est un fait indéniable que cette situation d’insécurité pose de nombreux problèmes aux populations de cette province de l’Equateur. Pour preuve, la navigation est rendue difficile à cause justement de ces combats. Des armateurs refusent de se hasarder à prendre le fleuve. Selon une mini-enquête réalisée par Le Potentiel, près d’une soixantaine de bateaux et autres embarcations sont bloqués à Kinshasa. Ils attendent de voir clair, d’être rassurés avant de voyager. Entre-temps, des produits sont bloqués à l’intérieur de cette province pendant que les habitants ne peuvent se ravitailler en produits manufacturés. Situation dramatique.

D’autre part, les combats de Mbandaka démentent en quelque sorte les déclarations du gouverneur de la province de l’Equateur. Au sortir de l’audience que lui avait accordée dernièrement le vice-Premier ministre, Professeur Adolphe Lumanu Mulenda Bwana Sefu, il avait déclaré ce qui suit : « La rébellion a pris fin dans ma province. On ne parle plus d’insurgés Enyele comme une bande organisée, mais bien plus comme un résidus de bandits ou des gens qui errent à la quête des moyens de survie. La province vit actuellement dans la tranquillité. Les insurgés qui, il y a trois mois, attaquaient des embarcations sur le fleuve Congo ». Autre fait curieux, les Enyele entrent à Mbandaka au lendemain de la confusion au sein de l’assemblée provinciale, avec la casse intervenue au siège de cette institution provinciale.

RECHERCHE DE LA PAIX

Devant cette situation, il y a lieu d’éviter qu’il y ait d’autres Mbandaka, Dongo et autres Makanza. Si la tendance consiste à affaiblir l’autorité de « Kinshasa », il revient au gouvernement central de bien lire ces signaux et de bien les interpréter.

Car on ne peut comprendre que des paysans qui se disputent des étangs de poissons, visent des objectifs civils et militaires. Il faut creuser la question.

Cette réflexion profonde ne doit nullement exclure la genèse de tous les conflits armés qui se sont déroulés dans notre pays. Ces forces obscures qui refusent que la RDC décolle ont plusieurs tours dans leurs manches. La vigilance doit être de rigueur pour qu’il n’y ait pas d’effets d’entraînement dans les autres provinces.

Comme il sied de le rappeler, en pareilles circonstances, toutes les institutions nationales sont interpellées et ont l’obligation politique de se saisir de cette question. Dans cet élan de recherche d’une paix durable sur toute l’étendue de la République démocratique du Congo.

En dernière minute, on apprend que les insurgés Inyele ont été délocalisés de l’aéroport.