MARKING THE 15th COMMEMORATION OF GENOCIDE AGAINST TUTSIS IN RWANDA

April 7th, is a day of remembering about 1,000.000 Tutsis and some moderate Hutus who were slaughtered by Hutus heartless extremists in 1994. To honor the victims of genocide, this year Rwanda has chosen a symbolic location to commemorate the 15th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi, it is Nyanza; and the theme was "the bankruptcy of humanity" during the 1994 massacres.
Nyanza in Kigali was chosen as a place where the country will hold the ceremony for the year 2009. This place is a hill where thousands of people were slaughtered on April 11 after the UN forces, mainly Belgian contingent had just left them to be slaughtered by the interahamwe militia. The UN soldiers simply decided to pulled out even if it was so obvious that the killers will immediately enter the compound and savagely exterminate all the Tutsis including children, women and elderly people.

This act of indifference towards Tutsis by the Belgiums, French and the UN forces is a clear complicity in the genocide by those who let it happen before their eyes. As though the rest of the world enjoyed seeing the killings of defenceless Rwandans day in, and day out on their TV screens for 100 days, the world community found it convenient to let thousands upon thousands of Tutsi children, women, and men killed. This is unbelievable, but it truely happened! The 100 days of slaughtering Tutsis certainly marked the "Bankrupcy of humanity" as was well said Mr. Benoit Kaboyi, executive secretary of Ibuka, the country's main genocide survivors' organisation.
No more can any world figure dare to tell us that we are all equal or that there is such thing as universal human rights that the privileged few so proudly chant to protect. The reality is this world is black and white.

One day, nature will revenge for the innocent victims, and every one and every country that watched the killings of Tutsis for 100 days on their TV screen with an eye of indifference, and much so, to every individual who actively campaigned to stop the attempt of saving those who could have survived. Nature does always repay one way or the other.
In his address to the nation, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, criticized the international community as usual for not doing more to prevent the bloody wave of violence. "I remind those experts that they need to go back to school," Kagame told reporters. "These children you saw here -- you think they are standing there because they are exploiting everybody's guilt? he added.

The world's hypocritical organization, the so called "United Nations" did not miss the opportunity to talk, since talk is cheap of course. In his address, the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the genocide as a "horrifying scene and experience." No wonder they refused to intervene, it was simply a "scene and experience" in the eyes of U.N

The United States government had also something to say on this day. Starting with a call for a period of silence and reflection, the USA President eloquently said: "Today is a day to open our eyes to this suffering and honor the memory of those killed in Rwanda 15 years ago," he said. "But beyond reminding us of the horror, that silence should spur us to action." Obama continued in these words: "As we mourn their senseless passing, we must also acknowledge the courageous men and women who survived the genocide and have since demonstrated remarkable strength and generosity in forgiving those who committed these heinous acts," Obama said. One can only wonder if what would have happened had Obama been the president of the United States then. Would he had intervened and saved hundred of thousands of people, most probably. However, we already know that George Bush had clearly stated that he would not intervene God forbid should another Rwanda genocide happen! The sad reality is that he was cowardly brave to admit what most of them would not dare say in public, but definately mean at heart, for the simple reason that "Rwanda has only people" no oil, as one of the highly USA authority said during the 100 days of genocide.

It is important to mention that nothing can be said about the senseless, mindless, heartless bloody Hutus who did the unspeakable and most of whom enjoy safe heavens in the Western countries where they are so happly protected by their masters. There is nothing to be said about them, because they are not humans although they walk among us. How can a human being do what they did? That is why it is not surprising that they do not have a sens of guilt. In fact, for most of them, the genocide has not yet finished. They are still thirsty for more blood of innocent people. The only thing that can be said about them is that their fate is well sealed and their place is well reserved in HELL where they will burn day in day out forever and ever, unless they repent which they obviously won't.

We will always remember our people and we have them in our hearts.

Long live Tutsi resiliency

AK

Journal Minembwe

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO: Les civils Banyamulenge sont en danger d'Extermination dans le territoire de Minembwe

Au cours des dernières jours, l'armée de milice Mayi Mayi continue a`lancer des nombreuses attaques contre des villages de Banyamulenge dans le territoire de Minembwe en République Democratique du Congo, tuant des civils, incendiant des villages et volant du bétail.
En dépit de ces attaques certaines personnes regagnent leurs villages aujourd'hui suite au manque des nourritures et soins médicaux.
Depuis le début de ces attaques, des centaines de personnes ont été déplacées et se refugiés dans des villages voisins et certaines personnes, notamment les habitants de Kakenge se sont refugiés dans une école de l'UGEAF ou ils n'ont rien comme provision.

Rappelons que ces personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays vivent dans des conditions effroyables, et dans la crainte de nouvelles attaques.
La cause de cette nouvelle attaque n'est pas jusque la` bien connue sauf les rumeurs selon les quels Mayi Mayi ne veulent pas la présence des forces dites jointes (forces Rwando-Congolaises) deploiyées au sud-kivu pour la poursuite des interahamwes genocidaires FDLR, comme c'était le cas recemment au Nord-Kivu.
Il y a une autre version selon la quelle la cause de cette guerre serait le contrôle et la gestion des marchés de Minembwe. Il reste a` verifier la vrai cause, mais ce qu'importe plus est que la population civile continue a` souffrir des atrocités.

Il est possible que ces Mayi Mayi toujours alliés des interahamwes veulent venger sur la population banyamulenge pour la simple raison d'etre des Tutsis.
Il faut aussi souligner que les attaques contre Banyamulenge coincident avec la commémoration du genocide des Tutsis au Rwanda par les extremistes Hutus en 1994.
On dirait que c'est une facon de dire aux Tutsis que l'idéologie xénophobe/genocidaire se poursuit en RDC.

Cependant, selon les nouvelles informations, un groupe des militaires des forces armées Congolaises semblent agir en soutien aux guerriers locaux qui essaient de protéger leurs populations et betails, et cette source précise que l'un des militaires du coté gouvernementales du nom de Semuhanuka Gahanuzi, un soldat munyamulenge de groupe Masunzu aurait été tué au champ de bataille.
Ici il convie aussi de rappeller que depuis janvier 1996, la population Banyamulenge du Sud-Kivu en RDCongo, a connu plusieurs différentes attaques sporadiques des milices Mayi Mayi.

Selon certains analystes de cette nouvelle vague d'attaque contre Banyamulenge, on crait que la population de Minembwe soit attaquée de toutes parts. Elles ont subi les attaques de milices Mayi Mayi, et elle court le risque d'etre attaqué non seulement par de bandits provenant dans l' armée nationale, mais surtout des forces de l'FDLR qui aspirent toujours a` exterminer les tutsis.
La population de Minembwe délaissée sans aucune protection, fait appelle au gouvernement congolais, a` la force onusienne (MONUC) et a` la communauté Internationale d'user leurs influence afin de mettre fin a` ces attaques et en venir en aide a` cette population sans aucune aide humanitaire.

Version Anglaise de cet article visitez://www.journalminembwe.blogspot.com/
To read the English version of this article please visit: http://www.journalminembwe.blogspot.com/

By
Akim
journalminembwe@yahoo.ca

MINEMBWE UNDER ATTACK ONCE AGAIN BY MAI MAI MILITIA

Once again, the MAYI MAYI militia has attacked defenseless Minembwe population.
According to information in our disposal, five villages have already been attacked, looted and possibly destroyed and 5 people have died and 10 critically wounded.
The following are the villages that are currently reported to have been attacked by the Mayi Mayi militia: Kakenge,kalingi,muriza,Rugezi,and Rwitsankuku.

Although Minembwe is highly populated by a great number of government military forces, they have not intervened to protect the civilian population.
The civil population has had as usual to defend themselves. A group of men known as "abagiriye", a local defence force has acted in the defence of the population.

It is sad to see once again such a coordinated attack against the Banyamulenge population by a government supported militia forces despite efforts made by the Banyamulenge military group to try to join the government army.

Minembwe Free Press is still following closely this information.

APRIL FOOL'S DAY ARTICLE RECALLED

Dear readers of Journal Minembwe, we apologize for the article that was published on April fool's day according to which President Obama would be visiting Africa. Please note that we were deceived by our informant who later said that it was an April 1st fool's day story. We apologize.

Turasaba abasomyi ba Journal Minembwe kutubabarira kuri article yanditwe itariki yambere yukwakane ivuga ko President Obama azaja muri Africa vuba. Twasanze abatanze iyonkuru ngo yari yikinyoma nkuko umucyu wokubesha kwitariki yambere yukwakane ngo bamwe babesha. Mutubabarire.

Journal Minembwe

USA President Barack Obama VISITING RWANDA

According to information in our disposal, His Excellence President Barack Obama, the 44th American President and the first African-American president in USA, will be visiting Africa from April 21 this year.
Rwanda is among the first African countries that Barack Obama will visit this month when he starts his first tour of Africa as US president. There is no doubt that President Obama will first visit Kenya before visiting any other African country to show his homage of his motherland country.
Although an American,Barack Obama is also an African by heritage. His father was a Kenyan who maried an american woman and begot Obama during his stay in USA as an international student. Obama has never lost touch with his African heritage. He had been visiting his grand parents in Kenya before he became the strongest man on the planet.
The African countries expected to be visited by Obama are Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Swaziland, and South Africa.

During his short visit in Rwanda, Obama will no doubt condamn the perpetrators of genocide against Tutsis and the western complicity and their indifference as they watched for 100 days while Tutsis were being slaughtered day by day. The month of April is a crucial and very sensitive period in Rwanda, and Obama will undoubtedly make notice of that tragedy.
However, genocide will not be the only item on discussion table with the Rwandan president Paul Kagame, investment and Rwanda's development are also expected to be on Paul Kagame's agenda.
President Obama knows that Rwanda has proven to be one of the best African countries for not only good governance but also for security, business and good investment climat.

America is well known for its support for Rwanda. However, one might bet that Obama will most probably bring up the question of DRC and Rwanda's role in the ongoing conflict in DRCongo, particularly the issue of general Nkunda. It should not surprise anyone though if Obama commended Rwanda for helping Kabila to dismantle the FDLR Hutus genocidaire forces in Congo.

It remains to be seen if Obama administration will continue supporting Rwanda as did his predecessors. But, all indications seem to confirm that the relationship between those two countries will most probably continue, because under the current Rwandan regime, Rwanda has continued to earn respect of the International community, why not of the United States of America. After all, Obama is an African, why would he not support one of the African countries that has badly and injustly suffered western indifference?

Journal Minembwe
Akim

ROSE KABUYE FREE INDEED!

(Photo/ J. Mbanda).


The following is a report aired from Kigali:
Rose Kabuye in an interview with reporters on arrival at Kigali International Airport last evening.
According to reports from Kigali "The Director of State Protocol, Rose Kabuye yesterday returned home from France for the third time following a French court decision to lift the arrest warrant that led to her wrongful detetion in Frankfurt, last November.

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, Kabuye announced that the lifting of the indictment implies that she will be able to resume her duties and travel freely anywhere in the world.

“After two days of interrogation with the judges, I requested to come back to Kigali. I was granted permission and was also informed that my arrest warrant has been suspended,” Kabuye told The New Times on arrival at Kanombe International Airport.

Kabuye’s arrest stemmed from the controversial indictments issued in 2006 by French Judge Jean Louis Bruguière’s indictments that have widely been condemned by the Rwandan Government as having been politically motivated.

She and with eight other former senior members of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) were accused of having played a role in the shooting down of a plane that was carrying former President Juvenal Habyarimana.

“I can now continue with my job and travel anywhere in the world unlike before when I had to only travel to Rwanda and France. This opportunity has also come at a time we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. So I am very grateful,” she added with a smile. She is set to go back to France in the first week of May.

“Rwanda as a nation has interest in supporting international justice and the government remains ready and willing to play its role in conformity with the spirit of international justice and fairness,” reads a statement released by the ministry of Information following her return.

When contacted, Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama said that the latest decision means that Kabuye was granted an extra-territorial bail which will enable her to travel elsewhere.
“She can now move in any part of the world freely because the warrant has been held redundant,” said Karugarama, who is also the Attorney General.

“This is a step in the right direction; our hope now is that she gets a free, transparent and speedy trial,” he said. He was however quick to add that by demanding for a speedy trial, the judicial process should not be sabotaged.

“These are not the judges who issued the indictments, they need ample time to digest the case now that they have gotten the gist of the whole file after the interrogation,” noted Karugarama.

Asked if the latest decision will have an impact on the other indictments, Karugarama said that despite similarities of the case, he would not comment on the others.

“It has a bearing with the others but I don’t want to be sub judice by commenting on a matter that it already before court,” he said.

Following Kabuye’s arrest, most of the witnesses in the case have retracted their testimonies, some saying they were influenced by officials in the Champs Elysee, the French Presidence.

Kabuye was arrested in November last year in Germany while on an official trip to prepare for a presidential visit.
BY IRENE V. NAMBI AND FELLY KIMENYI

La Visite du President Francais Nicolas Sarkozy en RDC, EVOQUERA-T-IL LA SOLUTION DU PARTAGE DES RESSOURCES AVEC LE RWANDA?.

C'est aujourd'hui qu'une visite historique du président Francais Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy a eu lieu en république democratique du Congo. Cette visite de Sarkozy a coincidé avec une autre visite moins médiatisée d'une figure occidentale notamment, une delegation belge dirigée par le ministre de defense de la Belgique au Kananga.
On dirait que la Belgique voulait indirectement montrer a` la France que le Congo reste toujours leur champ et que la belgique sera toujours présente en RDC.
Une question qui était en tete de presque chaque congolais était de savoir si le président francais allait encore répeter ce qu'il avait dernierement dit a propos du partage des resources et d'espace congolais entre le Congo et le Rwanda.
Ici il faut rappeller que Mr. Sarkozy avait clairement recommandé a` la RDC de bien penser a` partager avec le Rwanda ce qu'il a appelé des "resources et espace etrange". C'est evident que nombreux Congolais qui ne veulent pas attendre parler du Rwanda, et a` plus forte raison partage des resources congolais avec le pays des milles collines ont fait de cette proposition une polémique.
Mais, la verité reste que cette proposition semble la bonne et meilleure solution pour les deux pays et la region de grands lacs si on veut vraiment arriver a` une paix et developpement durable.
Malheureusement, les Congolais restent toujours prisoniers de leurs emotions et sentiments anti-Rwandais que cette proposition ne serra jamais acceptée. La vérité est que les congolais ne sont pas encore capable de comprendre le vrai probleme de leur pays et surtout la solution pour arriver au developpement de cette immense mais miserable pays riche en tout sauf la sagesse. D'ailleurs Sarkozy l'a bien dit en ses propres mots: "Je crois que les Congolais ne sont pas conscients de la gravité de la situation" affirme le president Francais.

C'est génant de voir combien et comment les congolais échouent lamentablement a` gérer et a` exploiter les resources naturelles de cet immense et riche pays jusqu'au point d'en devenir des mandiats dans un pays tellement riche que le congo, mais en meme temps refuser a` un voisin plus intelligent comme le Rwanda le droit d'en bénéficier ces richesses qui d'ailleurs historiquement leurs appartenait aussi.
Il faut cependant mentioner que meme le président congolais Joseph Kabila avait envisager cette solution de partage des ressources avec le Rwanda sauf qu'il n'avait pas le courage de le mettre en pratique par crainte de l'extremism congolais.
Ceci a été confirme par le président Francais quand il repondait a` la question d'un journaliste congolais sur ce sujet. Voici ce qu'a dit Mr. Sarkozy: "Oui, vous soulevez là une question essentielle qui touche à la souveraineté nationale de votre pays. Je crois que les Congolais ne sont pas conscients de la gravité de la situation. En menant mon enquête et après avoir obtenu des documents confidentiels de l'Union européenne, j'ai découvert une note restreinte rédigée après le sommet de l'Union Africaine à Libreville et envoyée à Javier Solana et à Louis Michel dans laquelle, il est clairement dit que le président Joseph Kabila serait disposé depuis 2005 à partager les ressources de la RDC avec le Rwanda. Vous comprenez donc que le chef de l'Etat français n'a rien inventé. Il appartient aux Congolais de tirer les conséquences de cette situation qui risque de déstabiliser toute l'Afrique centrale" a dit Mr. Sarkozy.

C'est vrai que Kabila sachant tres bien l'histoire de l'Est du Congo, ne pouvait pas en bonne foi et conscience nie les relations étroites entre le Congo et le Rwanda. Il faut aussi souligner que les ressources Congolais ont été exploitées par des pays étrangers durant des années et des années.Curieusement cela ne géne jamais le vrai congolais.
Alors proposer que le Congo partage ses ressources avec le Rwandais ne devrait pas etre une question polémique ou un probleme a` toute personne raisonable. Evidemment, une personne "raisonable", voila` le défi congolais. Est ce que la personne congolaise, avec toute sa congolitée est vraiment raisonable ou tout simplement émotif? Voila` une question qui d'ample parait arrogant et meme insultante, mais si on peut depasser les émotions relatives a` cette assertion et essayer d'etre plutot modestement réaliste et critique, peut-on arriver a` la meme conclusion?
Voyons une simple proposition qui oblige raisonablement a` arriver a` la meme conclusion:
Le Congo occupe une partie considerable qui appartenait au Rwanda avant le partage de l'Afrique en 1885 par les colons a` Berlin. Ici on peut citer comme une grande partie du Nord-Kivu et une partie du Sud-Kivu la` ou une grande population de ces territoires parle la langue Rwandaise et possede une culture rwandaise.

Donc, il y a une espace congolaise qui partage des lieux socio-culturelles avec le Rwanda. En d'autres termes, le Congo possede des ressources humaines et naturelles considerables qui historiquement appartenait au Rwanda. D'ailleurs cette réalité n'est pas seulement applicable entre le Congo et le Rwanda. C'est toute l'Afrique qui en a connue cette partage albitraire au profit du colon occidentale.
Alors c'est raisonablement dans ce contexte que le president francais a dit que: « Il faudra bien qu'à un moment ou à un autre, il y ait un dialogue qui ne soit pas simplement un dialogue conjoncturel mais un dialogue structurel. Comment, dans cette région du monde, on partage l'espace,on partage les richesses et on accepte de comprendre que la géographie a ses lois, que les pays changent rarement d'adresse et qu'il faut apprendre à vivre les uns à côtés des autres ? » affirme Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mais ce n'est pas etrange que les Congolais dans leur manque de maturité et de raison ainsi que du bon sens, interpretent cette proposition comme une facon de la France a` regler ses differences avec le Rwanda. Ridicule soit-il, mais voila` la logique congolaise.
En effet, une chose est certaine: le RDCongo n'est pas et ne sera jamais capable de gerer et d'exploiter les ressources et espaces congolaises pour la satisfaction et les besoins de tous les peuples Congolais. Alors ces ressources et espaces doivent et seront partagées a` tord ou a` raison par quelqu'un d'autre capable de mieux s'en servir, et si cela sera le cas, pour quoi le Rwanda?

Pour le Journal Minembwe
MHZ