RWANDAN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN KICKS GEAR, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

The presidential election campaign has started in Rwanda. Although many people seem to exagerate the fear surrending this crucial political event as far as the political and security issues in Rwanda, contrary to rumors, there is an overwhelming sens of confidence and calm in Rwanda. As is always the norm in Africa during the presidential campaign, many people fear for unpredictable outcomes should such or such candidate fail or succeed. This was the case in Kenya couple of years ago, when the outcome of election triggered a civil war which resulted in the death hundreds of thousands lives.
The question is, should people be worried about the whatever outcome of the election in Rwanda? I guess the question should be much more specific as to which people exactly who should be worried in the event of a one candidate succeeds or fail as opposed to the other. The short answer is: No one social or cultural group should be worried about their safety, should President Paul Kagame win the election. Not because the defeated candidate could not try to make trouble, but because any one who tries will be suddenly contained, and peace will be quickly restored should troubles rise. This is because the man has proven it the first time, and the second time is no different.
It can be truely argued that in the likehood that the current sitting president His Excellence Paul Kagame wins the election, few if any group of people should be really worried for their safety for the simple reason that Kagame has proven his plan for social development.

Whereas the same could not be said about the other candidates whose track records is uncertain. It couldn't definately be the case for Ingabire, the banned candidate from Belgium who was denying the genocide of Tutsis before she even started her campaign. Only God knows what could that vicious woman do to Tutsis, not only in Rwanda, but also in the Region in the likelihood she won. She was openly anti-Tutsi, and no security or peace agenda, leave alone development agenda should be expected from her political agenda.

Thank God, she was put back where she belongs.
While President Kagame has not yet unveilled his political plan for the next 7 years should he win the election ( which one can safely predict he will); it can be easily assumed that he will certainly continue with his 2020 vision that must achieve. Unfortunately, there are people who doubt as to whether or not Paul Kagame will really achieve what he started even if he wins the election. The argument being that it looks like he has also started to manifest certain symptoms of African political dictators who start well but end up by destroying what they have built.

This school of thought seems to link the current political climat in the Rwandan politics where some formerly known influencial figures have been arrested, alianated, threatened, and jailed, in addition to a growing number of unhappiness among many former supporters of the current Regime due to the arrestation of Gen. Nkunda of DRC, Gen. Nyamwasa, etc. and the perceived or suspected indifference and suspecion towards Tutsis from DRC among other things. Given this shifts in Kagame's politics, as it is claimed, some people are afraid that the giant and prominent political leader that he is known for, Mr. Kagame may be shifting his well and good intentions of developing the nation and leading the region as well as protecting Tutsis as he was assuredly expected.
However, my inclination is that Kagame is not the type of politician who flip flop when it comes to his conviction. He has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is capable of taking the country from ushers to one of the most and fastest developing, growing, and safest in all Africa within a relatively a short period of time, with relatively little resources possible. He is obviously known for his determination and intolerance for opposing views. But who is not? I don't buy the views of those who think that his regime will turn violent and dangerous for some group of people juged to be unfavorable to him or his regime. Not because he cannot, but simply because he has proven to be beyond that when he has willingly chosen to tolerate and accomodate hardliner Hutu extremists, to the point of even tolerating and freeing notorious interahamwe criminals now running free from prisons in Rwanda.

If President Kagame has not allowed revenge after genocide, did not alienate hutu political and military officials whom he knew for a fact that they hated him personally and hated everything he represents and stood for, why would anyone think that he will suddenly decide to allow mass prosecution, descrimination and violence of Tutsis from DRC simply because he suspect them to be supporters or unhappy about Gen Nkunda or anyone else for that matter. In fact, there is no reason to suspect that himself was not at one point a supporter of Gen Nkunda or anyone figures that presently is no longer his favorite to say the least.

I also have a word to those who are zealously fanatics and alarming: who would you rather be the president of Rwanda right now? the genocide negationist? any of the three guys we absolutely know nothing about? Who does not feel absolutely proud of being a Tutsi or even an African when you arrive in Rwanda, be greeted by a clean and safe environment, belong to a society of the most tolerate people on the planet (except of course the cruel segment of the population known for their evil soul). Rwanda is the only African country I found where anyone feels welcomed, has a space to breath and relax, and even belong without being constantly reminded that it is not your country or threatened. That cannot be said about most the country in the world including some western countries.
In the final analysis, logics and reason ablige that credit be given to president Kagame, and where he fails, common sens also dictates that as a human being he is also entitled to his share of mistakes. I am not defending him, but I have not seen so far anyone without them. Certainly not the candidates who have no track records. So, if you want to know what Candidat I am supporting, you guest right__ the one and only President Paul Kagame!!!!

Having said that, let's look at the other candidates facing president Paul Kagame:
Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo of Social Democratic Party, Mr. Prosper Higiro of Liberal Party and Mrs. Alvera Mukabaramba of the Progress and Harmony Party. As for Victoire Ingabire, she was rightly banned due to her genocidal ideology implied in her negotionist views.
The following information was posted on RPF's site:
President Paul Kagame will face three challengers in Rwanda's August 9 presidential elections, the electoral commission has announced. Social Democratic Party candidate and Deputy Parliament Speaker Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, the Liberal Party's Prosper Higiro and Alvera Mukabaramba of the Progress and Harmony Party -- the only woman candidate - will challenge Kagame in the ballot. Kagame, who has led the Central African country since the end of the 1994 genocide, is the favourite to win the vote. Rights groups have accused Kagame of stifling any form of dissent in recent months, while the US blamed Rwandan authorities of taking "worrying" actions to restrict freedom of expression ahead of the president poll.
"They are the four [candidates] who were cleared because they fulfilled the legal requirements," said Charles Munyaneza, the electoral commission's secretary. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, who tried to register her party for the election, was briefly detained on charges of denying genocide and collaborating with a terrorist group. Another opposition candidate who intended to run for the top seat was arrested last month and charged with a terrorism offence, and his trial alongside nine co-accused is under way.

M.A. H

Journal Minembwe
http://www.mulenge.blogspot.com

Est ce que Minembwe beneficiera-t-il aussi du "Programme de stabilisation et reconstruction des zones sortant des conflits"?

Il semble que l'on promet aux gens de l'Est du RDC une aide de reconstruction de leurs zones apparement detruites par eux-memes. La question est de savoir si Minembwe en beneficiera aussi. Vous pouvez lire l'article ci-dessous tel que publie par le digital congo:

Enrichissement avec 4 nouveaux projets du Programme de stabilisation et reconstruction des zones sortant des conflits STAREC
Kinshasa, 15/07/2010 / Politique
Adoption de 4 nouveaux projets par le comité de financement du Programme de stabilisation et reconstruction des zones sortant des conflits, au cours d’une réunion présidée par le Premier ministre des partenaires concernés dans ledit programme destiné surtout à l’Est de la RDC

Le comité de financement du Programme de stabilisation et reconstruction des zones sortant des conflits (STAREC) qui s’est réuni mercredi dans la salle des réunions de la Primature, sous la direction du Premier ministre, Adolphe Muzito, a adopté quatre nouveaux projets pour renforcer la paix et ramener la vie à l’Est de la République Démocratique du Congo.

Il s’agit de la restauration de l’autorité de l’Etat à l’Est du pays, la promotion du dialogue intercommunautaire, le soutien à la formation et au déploiement de la Police nationale congolaise (PNC) et à la planification et à l’accès routier dans la partie orientale du pays.

Le Premier ministre a saisi l’opportunité pour réitérer les remerciements du gouvernement à l’endroit de tous les partenaires qui accompagnent la RDC pour atteindre les différents programmes et projets destinés à améliorer le vécu des Congolais et à reconstruire le pays. Il s’est félicité du fait que les différentes actions qui seront menées dans le cadre de ces nouveaux projets accroissent la capacité de la RDC.

Les partenaires ont, pour leur part, exhorté le gouvernement à maintenir le cap avant de réaffirmer leur engagement à collaborer pour la stabilisation et la reconstruction effective de la partie Est de la RDC détruite des suites des guerres et où l’on retrouve des populations traumatisées à cause des conflits, principalement les réfugiés et les femmes victimes des violences sexuelles. Certains pays, comme la Suède, ont proposé une allocation de fonds supplémentaires pour ces projets. Il est à rappeler que le financement est déjà disponible pour certains projets alors que pour d’autres, il est à rechercher.

Deux arrêtés ministériels pour réglementer le secteur du développement rural

Le ministre du Développement rural, Philippe Undji Yangya, a signé mardi deux arrêtés portant création et fonctionnement de la Cellule d’appui et des monitoring aux programmes et projets de son ministère (CAMPRODER) pour le premier et portant réglementation de la construction, réhabilitation, entretien et aménagement des voies d’intérêt local pour le second.

Selon un document de ce ministère parvenu mercredi à l’ACP, la CAMPRODER a pour mission d’appuyer les différents projets et programmes du ministère du Développement rural ou conjointement avec d’autres ministères. C’est à ce cadre que le ministre Undji lui a confié les tâches de préparer les outils de travail devant permettre la transparence et la visibilité dans la mise en œuvre des différents programmes et projets, d’assurer un suivi régulier et une évaluation périodique des actions menées sur terrain.

Il s’agira également pour la CAMPRODER de dresser régulièrement les rapports sur l’état d’avancement des activités des programmes et projets du ministère, de suivre toutes les réalisations des indicateurs ainsi que les résultats attendus au terme des projets conformément à leur chronogramme.

Elle aura aussi à proposer les corrections éventuelles en vue d’atteindre les objectifs des programmes et projets.

Quant au second arrêté, la source souligne qu’elle vient fixer le standard pour la construction, la réhabilitation, l’entretien et l’aménagement des voies d’intérêt local. Il définit les principes de l’interaction entre le ministère, les services attitrés décentralisés et les institutions provinciales quant à la recevabilité des ouvrages et travaux routiers et définit également les principes d’appropriation et de pérennisation des pistes rurales.

Cet arrêté, précise le document, reprend le rôle de régulateur de la Direction des voies de desserte agricole (DVDA) et prévoit la création auprès de chaque entité décentralisée d’un Comité local d’entretien routier (CLER) qui est appelé à ériger des barrières pour protéger les pistes rurales contre les pluies diluviennes.

Acp

AGATHA RWASA, A TRUE GENOCIDAIRE IS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN BURUNDI, SHOULDN'T HE BE IN JAIL INSTEAD?

What kind of world do we really live in if notorious criminals, genocidaire such as Agatha Rwasa is being allowed to run for president of a country ? No wonder the majority of international global community have lost confidence in the so called International bodies such as United Nations or the International Court of Justice.
It is now confirmed that Agatha Rwasa is one of Burundian Presidential Candidates. We will not cease to shout loud and clear that the genocidaire Agatha Rwasa must be brought to justice over his crimes against humanity. As a sign of his arrogance, Rwasa has confessed himself as being responsible for the 2004 Gatumba genocide that slaughtered 0ver 156 Banyamulenge children, women and elderly refugees in their camp.
It was on Friday, August 13th, 2004, when at least 166 Banyamulenge Tutsi civilians were massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi. The victims were burnt, shot, and hacked to death with machetes. All were of Tutsi ethnicity. Most were women and children. Their traumatized families were almost exclusively members of the Banyamulenge tribe, who had earlier been forced from their homes in the southern Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Two days after the massacre at the Gatumba Refugee Camp in Burundi,

Burundian Hutu militia leader Agathon Rwasa openly claimed responsibility on French International Radio, RIF. Belgian lawyer Philippe Reyntjens at August, 2004 called Rwasa on the phone and asked him if he was the one responsible. Rwasa proudly admitted, “Yes, I am responsible for killing the Banyamulenge Tutsi in the camp.”

Why has this man not been brought to justice? I ask all those who read this, and the international community as a whole, to help bring this man to justice on behalf of his innocent victims. Agathon Rwasa is believed to live in Burundi. The survivors of the massacre cannot find peace or security while he lives freely in the same country. If he and the organization responsible for the massacre in 2004 are not held accountable, they will be able to commit atrocities such as this again in the future.

If Burundian people and the world at large allow this criminal to take power as a nation's president what message does this send to the world of criminals? that it does not matter to kill thousands of innocent people?

Please help in advocating for Justice to be done. Agatha Rwasa is a genocidaire, he should be in jail not in presidential palace!

AKIM
Journal Minembwe
http://www.mulenge.blogspot.com

MY MISSION TO HAITI: REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Haiti Mission Report Highlights

First and formost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all my friends who supported my mission trip to Haiti as we responded to the Jan 12 Haiti earthquake.
The following are the project achievement during our four weeks mission trip to Haiti. We:

-Established a center for Seeds of Hope

-Provided Livestock( 16 Goats to widows)

-Paid school fees for 11 orphans

-Provided sport equipments (72 sets of uniforms/mayots and 7 balls) to 6 youth groups

-Trained over 20 leaders of community organizations

-Provided seed money for income generating activities to 4 young men.

-Visited 4 orphanages and made selection for sponsors/supporters

-Organized 6 training workshops for over 70 youth

P.S: While we have many more pictures and videos, there is still a technical problem of posting them (videos) on the internet. Please bear with us.

Muhoza Akim

Forming Soccer Teams for Haitian Youth

Sport was one of the main priority item on the youth`s needs due to the fact that there is virtually nothing to do in a city completely destroyed. Most of these young men have grown up in orphanages, and have no means of furthering their education or doing any productive work.
They need as much help as they can get.

Please support these youngsters.

Their group can be contacted at : seedsofhope51@yahoo.ca

FIRST GAME: TWO TEAMS PLAY AFTER THE DESASTER!!!!!

This is was quite an exciting moment as the youth's wish for sport activities were now realized. After the earthquake, Haiti has become a desolate place. Nearly all the schools were destroyed, there was nothing to do and nowhere to go.
Having sport activities seem to be a God given opportunity despite multitudes of other needs.

WILL HAITI EVER RECOVER?

Port au Prince
Friday 27 March, 2010

This is Muhoza echoeing from Port au Prince, Haiti. Friends, Words cannot really describe the devastation in this poor country! I have been in many countries, have seen countries devasted by wars, and conflict, but nothing can be compared to what the quake has done here. I wonder if this country will ever be rebuild again, even though the Intl.community seems to be giving some glimpse of hope to the locals whose houses have been destroyed.

I have spent most of my time in rural area in the locality of Bainet, village of Begin where I was mostly working with the youth and the local community leaders for my project needs assessment. I have been all to distribute some livestock to vulnerable families, send to school about 15 kids from poor families who could not afford school fees, distribute sports equipments to at least 5 groups (teams) who really appreaciated so much the pleasure of having a football, and wearing for the very first team sports uniform (les mayots).

For most of the hundreds of bored youth who had returned in their villages from the destroyed capitals having sports equipments to play in the villages was just a God giving thing. It gave them something to do, and an exciting environment after all the stresses and trauma they had experienced. The same feeling of gratitude was also expressed by parents who at least can see their youth happy and not threatening to go back to the city which no longer has a place for them.
While in P.A.P I also have been working with the youth. Due to lack of proper transportation I have not been able to go internet cafe as I wanted. The local transportation system here is awful.

As to whether there the city will be rebuilt, I am very skeptical given not only the track record of the intl.community where they have intervened, but also when I observe how the so called expatriates (westerners) working for bigger NGOs are living and doing very little compared to their means and their mission.Don`t get me wrong, whatever is being done is appreaciated and was badly needed. But I believe that much more can be done with the means in place if the Haves could only reprioritize their value system.
I have witnessed many organisations stocking tones of food, and supplies for weeks while giving as little as possible to only selected few like enough to get the sporadic available help.
I have been amazed at how these major NGOs are using the locals as volunteers and providing food as pay for the work done, instead of giving them jobs to sustain their families. But, on the other hand, an influx of westerners keep outpouring into Port-au Prince as workers. One wonders why westerners would be hired to be paid a tremendous amount of money as (expatriate) to come and distribute food, supplies or do construction work) that thousands of Haitians can do. Oops, so I am hearing. Yet, the corrupt officials are the ones being given shared contracts of millions of dollars.
With my 10 years in the field of community development, I still have not really managed to understand the morals and the logics behind the system of the donor community. When will real justice, equity, equality of opportunity and lack of hypocrisy will be finally conquered by the simple logics of Justice!!!!

However, I must say how I was impressed by Haitian people´s resiliency despite all the odds again them. To be honest, Haiti is a failed state. That might sound politically incorrect, but that is my assessment. Despite the devastation of the earthquake, you can still see that the leadership of the country is and has been quite non existing to say the least.
The people on the other hand, are doing the best with the little, or rather nothing. You can see signs of life as people struggle to meet their needs through small street businesses, or working in shops taking the risks of staying indoor in a country where the majority of people sleep outside in the road. Even those whose houses were not destroyed many of them are still traumatized and prefer sleeping outside in tents for fear of having their houses collapsing over them too.

I urge everyone to pray for this country. Only God can uplift it from its misery, and usher.

Oh! How I really appreaciate living in Canada!!! Sometimes, it is important to leave Canada to really appreaciate its value. For anyone who has and will contribute to my life in Canada, I remain forever grateful and indebted to what this country of milk and honey has to offer its people, I, included!

Counting my blessings

Muhoza