RWANDA: Unsafe to speak out

Rwandan president Paul Kagame holds a press conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Monday, Aug. 9 2010. © AP Photo / Margaret Cappa

By Amnesty International’s Central and East Africa Campaigner.
Freedom of expression in Rwanda has been unduly restricted for many years. The killings of a political opponent and a journalist in 2010 indicate how people who criticize the authorities are often at risk.
We believe the Rwandan government should re-open the investigation into the killings of Jean-Leonard Rugambage and André Kagwa Rwisereka by establishing two separate independent commissions of enquiry.
One year ago, Rwandan journalist and deputy editor of the Kinyarwanda newspaper Umuvugizi, Jean-Leonard Rugambage, was shot dead outside his home in Kigali on 24 June 2010. There is no evidence that Rwandan police have explored those leads into the killing of Jean-Leonard Rugambage that pointed towards it being politically motivated.
20 days later, on 14 July 2010, André Kagwa Rwisereka, vice president of the opposition Democratic Green Party, was found dead in Butare, southern Rwanda. He had been beheaded. No-one has been brought to justice for André Kagwa Rwisereka’s murder. The police opened investigations, but the prosecution claim to have insufficient evidence to press charges.
The months leading up to the August 2010 presidential elections, which President Kagame won with 93 per cent of the vote, were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression and association.  Help us speak up for freedom of expression and mark these key dates.
Take action by…
Joining our call to allow criticism to be voiced in #Rwanda. Copy and paste the messages below & send them to @PaulKagame on 2 key dates:
24 June
@PaulKagame: I’m calling on the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into
#Rugambage’s murder 1 year ago
With a follow-up tweet linking to the page with instructions for others who want to take the action:
Join me & message the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into #Rugambage’s killing @PaulKagame. http://bit.ly/kagameAI
14 July
@PaulKagame: I’m calling on the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into
#Rwisereka’s murder 1 year ago
With a follow-up tweet linking to the page with instructions for others who want to take the action:
Join me & message the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into #Rwisereka’s
killing @PaulKagame. http://bit.ly/kagameAI
Disclaimer – Amnesty International has specified the example tweets and is not responsible for alternative messages sent by users.
If President Kagame responds to individuals, users are recommended to send him a link to the campaign: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR47/002/2011/en/ef7cd1a3-d1db-46da-b569-818b7555b83b/afr470022011en.pdf

RWANDA: A Brief History of Rwandan Leaders and Rulers since 1950

A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF A RWANDAN LEADERSHIP AND RULERSHIP SINCE INDEPENDENCE

By TURATSINZE RUKARA

This is a true representation of those who led Rwanda and those who ruled Rwanda from left to right

The history of Rwanda is one of the mysterious history of all time. I was born a decade after my country Rwanda gained its independence not only from the colonial rulers like most of African countries did but also from its own people who had customized their ruling system to be one of the ruthless leadership on earth. If it was during the Egyptian time we could have compared the Rwandan Tutsi monarchy of that of that of Pharaoh who induced the children of God into slavery for over 400 years. This was the same case in Rwanda Tutsi monarchy induced 90% of Rwandans into slaves in their own country. I could not believe when I read the history of Rwanda as I was doing my studies both in primary and high school in Musanze-Ruhengeri when I learned that my ancestors were slaves of Tutsi monarchy for generations. I had many questions and one of them being why did 90% of Hutus and poor Tutsis accept to be enslaved by a small clique of Tutsi. To answer this question during the 49th celebration of Rwandan independence Day one must analyse briefly of  what has been happening in Rwandan leadership and Rulership.

The first inhabitants of Rwanda were Twa people originated from DR Congo in Ituli forest. For those of us who were forced to flee Rwanda to Zaire the today's DRC had opportunities to interact with the indigenous Twa from Congo. They are good people despite what the Western media say about their cannibalism. This people who were hunters and gatherers until late 20th century came to Rwanda in search of good hunting game. They loved the area and a wide variety of species for game hunting ang settled in this virgin land of "Thousand Hills." They did not have a well sophisticated leadership system because they lived in a communistic system. They hunted and collected fruits together and shared among themselves. This continued for centuries until a Bantueid people came in from Northern Congo around Tchad and Cameroon. This people are called Hutu from the kiswahili word Utu or an African philosophy of Ubuntu (generosity). They were farmers who led a sedimentary lifestyle across the Equatorial forest. They were looking for farms. Because of their sedentary life they had an organized system of leadership. They had kings called ABAHINZA. The history tells us that the first Rwandan king was called GIHANGA NYAMIFANA WAHANZE INGOMA. This kind of leadership system was purely based on UBUNTU philosphy which means that I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE WE ALL ARE. This facilitated the integration of other tribes in the region. Twas coexisted very well with Hutus for centuries. This continued this way under the leadership of ABAHINZA until when another pastoralist tribe came in from the horn of Africa, specifically in Turkana-Kenya.

Tutsi people came as pastoralist in search for green pastures for their cows. THe history tells us that this people were full of pride and could not get a long well with other people they found in Rwanda. They always believed in their superiority over other tribes. Wherever they went they killed and looted. However in Rwanda because they were the minority they found that their ambition of ruling others could not work very well through violent means. They started exploiting the Bantu philosophy of Ubuntu. Hutus and Twas accommodated Tutsis as brothers who are there because we all are philosophy. They were given land to graze their cattle and were given grains to eat since they did not have enough time to farm due to the fact that they always learn after their cows. Tutsis told themselves that since these people Hutus and Twas do not have problem lcoexisting with us why don't we induce them to intermarrying with us whereby our daughters would be sexually deceptive and show their young men a superficial love that would make them marry to our daughters but our young men are instructed to never marry to Hutu or Twa girls. This started with winning over the sons of ABAHINZA who married to Tutsi women and later these Tutsi women plotted to assassinate their husbands in their matrimonial beds. Most of matrimonial homicide were done using poison. It is known that Tutsi people are good in using "charms." So after years of poisoning ABAHINZA who were to take over from as kings of Rwanda then those who remained to take over were uncles as the kings to be were still young to assume kingship. This was traditionally accepted by Rwandan traditions but very little did they know that it was a plot to overthrow a Hutu leadership. Centuries later all Hutu ABAHINZA were assassinated by a well established mechanism assisted by their Tutsi daughters who had intermarried with Hutu kings. That is when Tutsi took over from Hutu leadership to Tutsi rulership styel as we are going to see it. From this time Hutus had to deal with 400 years of serfdom and assassination characterized by mother queens like Kanjogera and rituals like INGOMA KARINGA where the mother queen Kanjogera ordered the castration of Hutu men and use their genital parts as KARINGA decoration. This went on until 1950s when some Hutu intellectuals who had been educated by white missionaries such as ANDREE PERRAUDIN got opportunity to learn how other countries were fighting for their independence from colonial powers. For these Rwandan intellectuals the fight for independence meant more than chasing colonial powers of Belgians out of Rwanda but also to fight against the deadly Tutsi monarchy which has enslaved our forefathers for over 4 centuries.

In 1950s Rwandan intellectuals led by Mbonyummutwa Dominique and Greogoire Kayibanda started PARMEHUTU a political party which was to make sure that all Rwandans are free in their own country and benefit the same from their own country. They wanted to bring an end to a 400 years monarchy rule and establish democracy. MBONYUMUTWA, KAYIBANDA, AND GITERA JOSEPH and others who fought for this independence we are celebrating today on the Rwandan 49 Independence Day are our heroes. They fought to the lasy man standing so that we can be free in our own country. So that Hutus and poor tutsis and Twas could stop toiling for the minority Tutsis but work in their own farms and pay taxes to the country like anyo responsible citizen in his own land. This is what happened in July 1, 1962 Rwanda gained its own independence and all Rwandans regardless of their own tribal background managed to breathe a sigh of freedom again. However, because of greedy Hutus who do not remember where they came from, 30 years after independence, greedy Hutus such as Twagiramungu Faustin, Bizimungu Pasteur, Kanyarengwe Alexis and others led all Rwandans back into their darker ages whereby they associated themselves with some Tutsis who wanted to bring back modern monarchy and Tutsi rule. This happened on October 1, 1990s when a Tutsis led rebellion invaded Rwanda from Uganda killing, looting, and maiming any Hutu they found on their way to Kigali. Four years after killing whoever they could and rendering millions of Rwandans refugees from both Ruhengeri and Byumba, they killed Rwandan President Habyarimana Juvenal and Burundian President Ntaryamira Cyprian. This act of terrorism outraged Rwandans and Hutus decided to protect themselves from the Tutsi monarchy which was prominent enjoying a free ride on the backs of greedy Hutus such as Twagiramungu, Kanyarengwe, Gasana, Rwigema, Bizimungu and many others. The massacre started allover Rwandans people fighting for their freedom but little did they know that America of BILL CLINTON and UK of TONY BLAIR were behind this invasion of independent state. USA imposed both economic and military embargo against Hutu regime so that their favorite RPF Tutsi led group could win militarily. It came to happen in July 1994 more than 3/4 of Hutus were sent into exile in Zaire, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania others remained in internal refugee camps such as Kibeho where the newly established Tutsi regime under RPF came and massacred over 250000 of Hutus who had taken refuge here. Now 20 years later since AMERICA AND UK forced a Tutsi regime on Rwandans, millions of Rwandans are still suffering and need your moral support to fight this dictatorial regime from the West. TWESE HAMWE  TUZATSINDA.

In Rwanda: What to expect from the divided RPF “family”.

From RWANDANEWS

Tutsi Soldiers mutilating a Hutu young lady in DRC 1997

As the saying goes, when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. The feud between Kayumba Nyamwasa et al. and Paul Kagame is likely to have a far from pleasant end. The peasants might once again be entangled into a conflict they little understand and as a result, forced to pay a heavy price.

The wrangle between the two heavyweights seems to have reached a point of no return. What is now left is a dog-eats-dog strategy, or an equivalent of the Darwinian survival for the fittest. This was the message directly implied when Kayumba was shot last year in the streets of Johannesburg. Kayumba and his family believe that the government is still trying to kill them. For Mr. Kagame, actions speak louder than words!

But is Kayumba hitting back as well? This is hard to tell. At the moment, there is no clear evidence that this might be the case, although the Rwandan government has accused him of forming terror zones within the country. Knowing that Kayumba was the chief of the Rwandan army for many years, and is still said to be very popular among the ranks of the military, everything is possible. Moreover, some claim that he enjoys very strong ties with the Ugandan government. The thought of him mobilizing a fighting force, no doubt exaggerated at the moment, is not a complete impossibility.

As of yesterday, the government of Rwanda claims to have arrested five dissidents, including a colonel in the Rwandan army. They are accused of planning sabotage attacks against Rwanda under Kayumba’s authority. Of course, such accusations need to be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, these are the exact same charges that are always leveled on political dissidents in Rwanda. If so, it might be the case of a boy crying wolf.

As expected, Kayumba’s vehemently denied any links to the arrested individuals. Because this is the first time that an insider of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) is wrestling with the regime, it might be hard to tell where the truth lies.

We know that an investigative report released by the United Nations earlier this month refuted any links between Kayumba et al and other fighting groups based in the DRC such as FDLR and RUD Urunana. We also know that it is in Kagame’s best interest to portray Kayumba as a military trouble maker who is threatening Tutsi hegemony by collaborating with Hutu extremists. In Kagame’s threatening words, he is “excrement” that must be eliminated from the body.

As I said in my post earlier, these are troubling times in Rwanda. The “warrior refugees” that once won the praise of Philip Gourevtitch now have guns pointed at each other. They threaten the stability of a country they fought for and some of them have already been exiled again. It is not a pretty sight.

To be honest, Kayumba’s opposition to Kagame bears more hope for democracy than an event in Rwanda’s recent history. Kayumba has challenged Kagame’s totalitarian control in a way that leaves the man humbled. He often likes to say that, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. By extension, Kayumba, at least in rhetoric, wants the RPF to undergo a process of reformation; which will allow for competitive politics.

Part of Kayumba’s problem with the RPF party is that Kagame has personalized it. He has built a personality cult akin to that of the late Juvenal Habyarimana. As such, Kayumba and other RPF compatriots feel their vision betrayed. They are longing for change.

It needs to be emphasized that the RPF, under Paul Kagame, has been a major stumbling block to democratic reform. They have established complete control over the military, the church and the civil society. They are like the despot king who must die in order for democracy to arise. We also need to be aware that Kayumba et al. were the yesterday’s champions of this corrupted system. But human being can learn from their mistakes. And there are few untainted hands in Rwanda.

I may not be a fan of Kayumba et al., but I think they deserve a chance. After all, they are Rwandans as well and their love for the country is evident. So far, they have been busy trying to spearhead for reconciliation among the Diaspora of Hutus and Tutsis. They efforts seem to be wielding success. In particular, Theogene Rudasingwa, the group’s most vocal member, has shown the willingness to acknowledge the crimes committed by the RPF against Hutu civilians. This is a BIG and unprecedented step—one that needs to be celebrated. By any indications, Rudasingwa looks like a reformed man who is hungry for peace and reconciliation. Rwanda desperately needs more of his kind.

I view the confrontations as a necessary step for Rwanda’s rebirth. It is completely disheartening to think that the peasants will once again bear the brunt. However, can there be gain without pain? Are the peasants better off under a cruel dictatorship? I welcome comments from my readers

Rwanda: Police manhunt for an opposition member in Gisagara District, Southern Province

by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for President

 On 6th June 2011, FDU-Inkingi informed the public about a spree of night gun murders in parts of Rwanda and particularly in Gisagara District (Southern Province). The police accused the opposition party of trying to rush to the media before reporting the incidents.
 Since then, a police manhunt for an FDU-Inkingi opposition member, Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana, resident of Gisagara District started.  From the 25th June, deployments of mobile police and night army patrols sent residents of Higiro location (Sector Nyanza, Gisagara District) in panic.
 That same day, the Executive of Higiro location, Madame Niwebasa Assumpta, expelled Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana, FDU-Inkingi member, from the Umuganda community work in Nyanza sector and stated that “nobody should worry about what will happen to that FDLR supporter and to those opposed to the ruling RPF”. At 16:00, the police searched his house and failed to arrest him. At 20:00, with nosearch warrant, 6 army men , a local defence staff and a civilian night patrol stormed his house, searched and arrested his wife who was later released.
 Many months before on 12th November 2010, the police abducted Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana from the hospital and detained him for 19 days for unknown charges. There were allegations of abuse and torture. He was reportedly attacked because he belongs to the opposition party FDU-Inkingi.
 The party FDU-Inkingi is calling upon the Government to investigate and to ensure that the local autorities and security services respect the basic rights of citizens.

FDU-Inkingi
Twagirimana Boniface
Interim Vice President

Three Rwandan complaints against a planned documentary on France 2

Three Rwandan complaints against a planned documentary on France 2 click here for original article in French
Paris, June 18, 2011 (FH) - Three Rwandans have filed a complaint referred to the Court of Paris against the documentary "Genocide in Rwanda: the killers among us," whose distribution is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28 by the public television France 2.
The widow of President Habyarimana, Agathe Kanziga, filed the first complaint against the company France Televisions and the production company Tony Committee. She was joined by two other Rwandans interviewed by the director of Manolo Arthuis, as part of a television documentary produced for the show The Great Hunt.
"Our goal is not to condemn or to prevent the spread of this documentary, provides counsel for Agathe Habyarimana, Philippe Meilhac. All that we ask today is to watch it, in order to see whether or not a violation of the presumption of innocence. Despite several requests, we refused it. "
"It took us six months of investigation to make this documentary and film, of course with their consent, three genocide suspects living on French soil," said Manolo for Arthuys.
Agathe Habyarimana was shot "in the presence of his lawyer and two members of his family," while the doctor was Twagira Charles' home and without a lawyer, "and the former Rwandan army officer Marcel Bivugabagabo" in a rectory and without a lawyer, "says the director.
"I received from Mr. Arthuys almost a year ago, I allowed him to see my client continues Me Meilhac. What worries me deeply is that we are on a serious subject, that in terms of process it is at the very beginning, and I am a little surprised at how they present the show. It seems that it is totally dependent. "
A press of France Televisions, cited by the plaintiffs, announced in effect: "Sixteen years after the fact, the Rwandan justice and international justice are tried and sentenced many officials. But how many are still at large? While some are hiding in Africa, others live with impunity in Europe, particularly in France where Manolo for Arthuys found them. "
Another release presents the show The Great Hunt, made a documentary and a discussion moderated by journalist Nicolas Poincaré, as "a collection of five investigative documentaries devoted to men who are or have been, the most sought after in the world. "
On the set of the show's June 28, four guests are scheduled to date for the debate: James Kabale, Ambassador of Rwanda, Alain Gauthier, president of the Collective of plaintiffs for Rwanda (CPCR), Filip Reyntjens, Professor of Law at the University of Antwerp and a journalist, Maria Malagardis.
In their chambers, each of the three complainants argue that none of them is under an indictment before the French courts or prosecution before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Only preliminary proceedings are initiated.
The most famous of them, Agathe Habyarimana, is within the scope of an extradition request issued by Rwanda, which will be heard June 29 in Paris. It is also the subject of a judicial investigation opened in March 2008, following a complaint of the SCRC, in which it is heard as a witness simple.
The former Lieutenant-Colonel Marcel Bivugabagabo has also been a Rwandan extradition request rejected by the court of Toulouse in 2008. The same year, the SCRC has filed a complaint against the former officer. This indicates, in its application for interim relief, since he had "never been heard by an investigator."
The Hirondelle News Agency has learned, however, in January 2010 that Marcel Bivugabagabo was the subject of a "preliminary investigation" during a visit to Rwanda two French investigating judges, and Brigitte Jolivet Nicolas Aubertin.
Charles Twagira for his part in 2007 obtained the status of political refugee in France. He is also the subject of a complaint of the SCRC, filed in the court of Rouen in early 2010 and sent to the court to Paris, where a judicial inquiry was opened. He works as a doctor.
Initially scheduled May 31, the distribution of this document has been extended to June 28, May 26 arrest of former military leader of Bosnian Serbs, Ratko Mladic, then having been a special issue of The Great Hunt.
The three complaints filed with the interim High Court of Paris will be heard as a group, Monday, June 20
Eighteen court records concerning the Rwandan genocide suspects residing on French soil are being educated to the high court of Paris.
PF / GF

RWANDA:Coalition of Rwandan Community Associations in UK

23rdJune 2011.

Eric Joyce MP Chair

All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes Region of Africa

House of Commons, 

London, 

SW1A 0AA

 

By email 

 

I am writing to you on behalf of the Coalition of Rwandan Community Association in UK.

The Rwandan regime, distraught by the vigilance of the UK intelligence service in tracking its 

death squads is intent on grooming home grown hit men and women in the UK. Under the 

umbrella of the Rwandan Diaspora Convention Europe 2011, planned for the 22-24 th July 2011,

the regime is sponsoring a 5 day ideological education training for the youth (16-29 years old) “

in what is called

 

Itorero ry’igihugu,  aimed at teaching the history of Rwanda according to “the RPF” ideology” .

The militia training is scheduled to take place at the Apex Centre in Bury St Edmunds in the Suffolk County from the 17th to 24 th July 2011.

 

According to insiders in the Rwandan security apparatus, this will allow the regime’s agents 

to identify candidates suitable for more advanced training as political cum military cadres. 

Once trained ideologically and militarily, the regime would no longer need to send out hit 

squads against critics abroad.  According the official programme, there will be 

“PRESENTATION OF YOUTH AWARDS” from 3:00pm-6:00pm on 22nd July 2011.

 

The president of Paul Kagame is scheduled to address this event.

We believe that such a training falls within the definition of terrorist act under the UK law 

which where the Act "terrorism" means among others the use or threat of action where

 

(a) The use or threat is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or a 

section of the public, and

(b) the use or threat is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological 

cause.

 

The project should be stopped as means of prevention and suppression of terrorist 

activities.

What everyone should be aware of is that the regime of General Paul Kagame

has developed an instinct of self preservation is not short of imagination to make the 

indoctrination process of RPF political ideology look like a patriotic and very progressive 

enterprise. It has used as in the case of Gacaca courts, a traditional institutions Itorero 

ry’igihugu and Intore who woe the public and deceive the international community.

 

To understand the stratagem one needs to look at the choice of names given to the 

ideological school and granduants, namely Itorero ry’igihugu and intore. 

The word Itorero ry’igihugu, a Kinyarwanda word, was borrowed from the traditional 

educational institution for the aristocracy that mentored and cultivated leadership skills.

 

The lessons included History, Philosophy, Sociology, Oral Literature, Applied Ethics, Theology,

Political and Military Sciences, Law, Patriotism, Regional and International Relations. 

The word Intore is given to famous Rwandan dance “Intore, a “dance of heroes”. It is performed 

by men wearing grass wigs and carrying spears. It was a dance performed by returning 

warriors, celebrating victory in battle. At certain stages the dancers stop, with arms outstretched and make blood-curdling battle cries.The training is therefore to produce warriors to fight any dissenting ideology by force. 

 

In Rwanda, this ideological education has been made compulsory. For example in May 2008 local authorities in Gicumbi district in Northern Province sacked over 100 teachers for reportedly refusing to participate in the training that saw over 40,000 primary and secondary school teachers participate: 

 

Let us recall that the word interahammwe which meant “people working harmoniously 

together for a common purpose” referred to Hutu politicians who worked together and 

braved death threats while fighting to exploitative and oppressive monarchical system of 

government. In its creation, the interahamwe were not meant to kill Tutsi but rather formed 

to propagate and defend the political ideas and values of MRND party.

 

Given the past political and violent history of Rwanda and in consideration the recent 

Rwandan government foiled plan by the MI5 to eliminate physically its critics in the UK,

the Rwandan community in UK is extremely worried of the ideological training of Rwandan 

youth in the UK and therefore requests the UK government to impress upon the Rwandan 

High Commission and its affiliated Rwandan community association to stop the training into 

Rwandan into ideological extremism. 

Regards,

 

Noble Marara

Assistant Coordinator 

Email: noblemarara@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

US proposes UN force for Sudan's Abyei

By Sally Kelly
London, (Pal Telegraph) - US introduces UN resolution that would deploy a 4,200-strong Ethiopian peacekeeping force to disputed Abyei region.
The United States has introduced a UN resolution that would deploy a 4,200-strong Ethiopian peacekeeping force to Sudan's disputed Abyei region, the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks.
Susan Rice, US ambassador to the UN, said the resolution will support an agreement signed on Monday by the Khartoum-based government in the north, and the government of south Sudan, to demilitarise the contested border region.

Rice told reporters that the two parties requested the troops to be deployed under UN auspices and called for swift adoption of the resolution by the Security Council so they can get on the ground in Abyei immediately.

"Ultimately, it's obviously up for the Security Council to decide the strength and the mandate of any UN mission,'' she said.

"But the United States, in tabling this draft, has sought to remain faithful to the agreement reached by the parties, which we understand was hard won and inherently fragile.''

She declined to predict how long it would take to adopt the resolution and said that it would not happen overnight.

The violence in Abyei and neighbouring south Kordofan comes as south Sudan prepares to declare independence from the north on July 9, the culmination of a 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war that killed about two million people.

The north's invasion of the Abyei region and takeover of the town of Abyei was triggered by an attack on May 19 on northern and UN troops by southern soldiers.

John Temin, of the United States Institute of Peace, spoke to Al Jazeera about the draft resolution and said: "It is important to be very clear that this is a temporary agreement that was reached. The fundamental question of whether Abyei is part of north or south remains unresolved and we are no where closer to resolving that question as a result of this agreement."

What this agreement does is remove some of the northern troops who moved into Abyei several week ago and put in Ethiopan troops to try and calm the situation, Temin said.

Abyei tensions

While south Sudan's independence is expected to take place on schedule, crucial issues remain unresolved.

The areas of debate include: the future of Abyei, which is supposed to be decided in a referendum; the north-south border demarcation; how oil revenues and other resources will be shared; and citizenship.

Rice told reporters that the purpose of the interim security agreement for Abyei is to allow the withdrawal of Sudanese forces not to settle the future of the region.

Violence began in south Kordofan earlier this month when Sudan's military attacked a black community aligned with Sudan's south.

The UN says that about 10,000 people have fled the region to escape the violence.


Source: agencies

Rwanda: Police dismantled a "terror network" from DRC (Read in French below)

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Rwandan police announced the arrest of six men from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to commit "acts of terror." The network infrastructure was designed and leaders.

According to an official of the Rwandan authorities, six men from the DRC and owned by a "network of terror" were arrested Wednesday, June 22 "Criminals are arrested under Colonel Norbert Ndererimana," it said. The same source, the latter was also arrested and is known to be at the head of "an armed group based in Binza, Rutchuru in the Virunga National Park, North Kivu."

An action-driven and Kayumba Habyaramina?

Investigators say they have established "a strong link between this group and the activities of terror [General Faustin] Kayumba (Nyamwasa]", former Chief of Staff of the Army currently exiled in South Africa. They point out that during their arrest, members of the squad have also "reported receiving their orders from Emmanuel Habyaramina." the latter, in exile in Europe, is the former defense minister of the government of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

The six men "focused heavily populated areas, stocks of fuel, vehicles carrying fuel, national leaders and diplomats," added the police. (With AFP)

Read the article on Jeuneafrique.com: Rwanda: Police dismantle "terror network" from DRC | Jeuneafrique.com - the first site of information and news on Africa 

Le général Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, le 4 janvier 2001 à Kigali. © AFP

 

La police rwandaise a annoncé l’arrestation de six hommes venus de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) pour commettre des "actes de terreurs". Le réseau visait des infrastructures et des dirigeants du pays.

Selon un communiqué officiel des autorités rwandaises, six hommes en provenance de la RDC et appartenant à un « réseau de la terreur » ont été arrêtés le mercredi 22 juin. « Les criminels arrêtés sont dirigés par le colonel Norbert Ndererimana », poursuit le texte. Selon la même source, ce dernier a été également interpellé et est connu pour être à la tête d’« un groupe armé basé à Binza, Rutchuru, dans le Parc national des Virunga, Nord-Kivu ».
Une action pilotée par Kayumba et Habyaramina ?

Les enquêteurs affirment avoir établi « un lien fort entre ce groupe et les activités de terreur du [général Faustin] Kayumba (Nyamwasa] », ancien chef d’état-major de l’armée actuellement exilé en Afrique du Sud. Ils précisent qu’au cours de leur arrestation, les membres du commando ont aussi « déclaré avoir reçu leurs ordres d’Emmanuel Habyaramina ». Ce dernier, exilé en Europe, est l’ancien ministre de la Défense du gouvernement du président rwandais Paul Kagamé.
Les six hommes « visaient des endroits fortement peuplés, des stocks de carburant, des véhicules transportant du carburant, des dirigeants nationaux et des diplomates », ajoute la police . (Avec AFP)

Lire l'article sur Jeuneafrique.com : Rwanda : la police démantèle un "réseau de la terreur" venant de RDC | Jeuneafrique.com - le premier site d'information et d'actualité sur l'Afrique

RWANDA:Unsafe to speak out

From Amnesty International

Rwandan president Paul Kagame holds a press conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Monday, Aug. 9 2010. © AP Photo / Margaret Cappa

By Tom Gibson, Amnesty Internationals Central and East Africa Campaigner
Freedom of expression in Rwanda has been unduly restricted for many years. The killings of a political opponent and a journalist in 2010 indicate how people who criticize the authorities are often at risk.
We believe the Rwandan government should re-open the investigation into the killings of Jean-Leonard Rugambage and André Kagwa Rwisereka by establishing two separate independent commissions of enquiry.
One year ago, Rwandan journalist and deputy editor of the Kinyarwanda newspaper Umuvugizi, Jean-Leonard Rugambage, was shot dead outside his home in Kigali on 24 June 2010. There is no evidence that Rwandan police have explored those leads into the killing of Jean-Leonard Rugambage that pointed towards it being politically motivated.
20 days later, on 14 July 2010, André Kagwa Rwisereka, vice president of the opposition Democratic Green Party, was found dead in Butare, southern Rwanda. He had been beheaded. No-one has been brought to justice for André Kagwa Rwisereka’s murder. The police opened investigations, but the prosecution claim to have insufficient evidence to press charges.
The months leading up to the August 2010 presidential elections, which President Kagame won with 93 per cent of the vote, were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression and association.  Help us speak up for freedom of expression and mark these key dates.
Take action by…
Joining our call to allow criticism to be voiced in #Rwanda. Copy and paste the messages below & send them to @PaulKagame on 2 key dates:
24 June
@PaulKagame: I’m calling on the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into
#Rugambage’s murder 1 year ago
With a follow-up tweet linking to the page with instructions for others who want to take the action:
Join me & message the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into #Rugambage’s killing @PaulKagame. http://bit.ly/kagameAI
14 July
@PaulKagame: I’m calling on the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into
#Rwisereka’s murder 1 year ago
With a follow-up tweet linking to the page with instructions for others who want to take the action:
Join me & message the Rwandan authorities to re-open the investigation into #Rwisereka’s
killing @PaulKagame. http://bit.ly/kagameAI
Disclaimer – Amnesty International has specified the example tweets and is not responsible for alternative messages sent by users.
If President Kagame responds to individuals, users are recommended to send him a link to the campaign: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR47/002/2011/en/ef7cd1a3-d1db-46da-b569-818b7555b83b/afr470022011en.pdf

Rwanda: Amnesty to Launch Freedom of Expression Campaign

Paul Kagame

From Koinonia Community

Amnesty International is calling on President Kagame to allow opposition politicians, journalists and human rights defenders to express their views without fear for their safety.

By Staff Writer

KIGALI---On 3 June 2011 Amnesty International will launch a short campaign document calling on the Rwandan authorities to review ‘genocide ideology’ and ‘sectarianism’ laws that are being used to suppress political dissent and stifle freedom of speech in the country.


The months leading up to the August 2010 presidential elections, which President Kagame won with 93 per cent of the vote, were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression through regulatory sanctions, restrictive laws and criminal defamation cases.

The Rwandan government has expressed a commitment to review laws which are used to criminalize criticism, but recent trials of journalists and opposition politicians suggest that Rwanda’s critics still face prosecution and imprisonment.

Amnesty International is calling on President Kagame to allow opposition politicians, journalists and human rights defenders to express their views without fear for their safety.

Related articles

• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (foxnews.com)

JOIN US IN CHICAGO FOR A MASSIVE PROTEST AGAINST PAUL KAGAME CRIMINAL RECORD AND DICTATORSHIP

by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for President

Dear Fellow Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda,

Please talk to the media, call your representative and contact Hyatt
Regency Hotel, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, Tel: +1 312 565 1234
; Fax: +1312 239 4414. Feel free to edit and use the following script.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

We are writing to express our concern and indignation that Hyatt
Regency Hotel, a leader in hospitality in North America and around the
Globe is planning to host a brutal dictator and deluded world
criminal, General Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Paul Kagame was cited in the UN Mapping report as the instigator of
the killing of more than 3 million Rwandan refugees and Congolese
citizens in Eastern Congo between 1996 and 2003. Two international
justice systems (French and Spanish) have indicted him, his generals,
and his 41 close associates for having killed his predecessor and
thousands of innocent civilians in Rwanda. In months leading to his re-
election in 2010, Rwandan opposition leaders, Victoire Ingabire, Deo
Mushayidi and Bernard Ntaganda and journalists, Agnes Nkusi and
Saidath Mukakibibi have been imprisoned while others were killed:
Andrew Kagwa Rwisereka and Leonard Rugambage.

Recently, Paul Kagame attempted to the lives of Rwandan citizens
members of the opposition residing in South Africa and UK. Reports by
the New York Times, the Guardian, the Independent and the BBC
Newsnight have explained how the British Secret Services uncovered
plans by Kagame’s henchmen to eliminate his political opponents in
the UK.

The Rwandan Community in America is deeply concerned that same Paul
Kagame is on a covert trip aimed at implementing his criminal
enterprise in the USA to target overt and supposed opponents to his
oppressive machine.

For all these reasons, many Rwandans and friends of Rwanda are
prepared to come to Chicago on June 10-12, 2011 for a massive public
protest against Paul Kagame dictatorship and criminal record both in
Rwanda and the Congo.

Thank you.


Immaculee UwayezuFDU-Inkingi Spokesperson

USA
443-980-4675
Iuwayezu@yahoo.com
May 27, 2011


Useful links for more info:

Rwandan exiles warned of assassination threat by London police
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/20/rwanda-exiles-warned-assassination-threat)

Rwandan assassin 'sent to kill dissidents in UK
(http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rwandan-assassin-sent-to-kill-dissidents-in-uk-2286712.html)

British Police Warn Rwandan Dissidents of Threat
(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/world/africa/20rwanda.html?_r=1)

Rwanda: State terrorism tolerated for long by the international
community
(http://therisingcontinent.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/rwanda-state-terrorism-tolerated-for-long-by-the-international-community/)

DRC: Mapping human rights violations 1993-2003
(http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/RDCProjetMapping.aspx)

BBC Newsnight -  Claims that the Rwandan government is plotting
assassinations in the UK
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zXN4eZO2_g)

Update on the Kagame Killing Machine in the UK & BBC Expose
(http://www.africandictator.org/?p=1810)

Related articles

• Rwanda's Paul Kagame hits back at Twitter critic (upfrontmenblog.wordpress.com)
• Rwandans in UK 'threatened by hitman' (bbc.co.uk)
• The Purpose-Driven Death Squads (barthsnotes.wordpress.com)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (foxnews.com)
• You: British police warn Rwandan exiles in the UK their life is in danger from Rwandan government (washingtonpost.com)
• Rwanda's president takes on critic in Twitter feud (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• British Police Warn Rwandan Dissidents of Threat (nytimes.com)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (sfgate.com)

Oliver Courtney (Global Witness) - Stop Aid to Rwanda and Uganda

by Crisis In The Congo: Uncovering The Truth (videos)

0:46

Oliver Courtney, from Global Witness, speaks on the need to put pressure on US and British allies Rwanda and Uganda by withholding aid due to their destabilization of Congo.

Global Witness is an international NGO established in 1993 that works to break the links between natural resource exploitation, conflict, poverty, corruption, and human rights abuses worldwide. The organisation has offices in London and Washington, D.C. In 2003 it was co-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on conflict diamonds

Related articles

• Nobel laureates gather in Quebec to campaign against rape (theglobeandmail.com)
• Gerard Prunier on recent news in the Congo and Rwanda (rachelstrohm.com)
• Hotel Rwanda - Kigali, Rwanda (travelpod.com)
• Reading around central Africa (guardian.co.uk)
• FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Rwanda (reuters.com)
• Lunch with Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda. (slate.com)
• Congolese mining ban fails to end armed control of trade (yubanet.com)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (foxnews.com)
• FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Rwanda (reuters.com)
• You: British police warn Rwandan exiles in the UK their life is in danger from Rwandan government (washingtonpost.com)

Rwanda: State terrorism tolerated for long by the international community

Image via Wikipedia

by therisingcontinen

 

By Ghislain Mikeno – Translated from French by Ambrose Nzeyimana
In recent days, the news in the Great Lakes is dominated by revelations of the British press that the police in that country has warned some Rwandan nationals living in London about death threats against them and from Paul Kagame’s regime. These revelations have been confirmed by some of the targeted individuals themselves, be it in interviews on radio or television giving details and displaying written statements from security officials.
Thus Rene Claudel Mugenzi and Jonathan Musonera testified in the press by showing the certificate of the British police who warned them that their lives were in danger.
As usual the Kagame regime has strongly denounced this news in manners as too clumsy as useless, far from stifling the scandal, fueling instead a debate which is taking place now on the political front in Great Britain. Some elected representatives of the opposition are beginning to seriously question whether Great Britain, which is the largest supporter of Kagame’s regime, must continue keep a blind eye on the actions of a regime that openly practices state terrorism.
Background
The Kagame’s regime is however not new to state terrorism. Soon after getting into power in 1994, it sent commandos in several countries to kidnap or kill Rwandans. In 1998, Mr. Seth Sendashonga, who was interior minister in the first RPF government in 1994 and as well part of the politico-military movement, was shot in the streets of Nairobi by a commando unit sent by Kagame. He had gone into exile in protest a few months after disagreeing with Kagame on a number of issues including the blind repression that Kagame’s soldiers had on the population. Intelligent, competent and therefore considered highly as a potential serious political challenger by Kagame, Sendashonga was wounded in a first assassination attempt and his assailant arrested by Kenyan police at the scene of the attack with still a smoking gun. The assailant was quickly identified as a diplomat of the Embassy of Rwanda in Nairobi. The second attack proved fatal.
In the same city of Nairobi, Colonel Theoneste Lizinde who had deserted the ranks of the RPF was shot at close range in the company of a well know businessman Bugilimfura, by a commando which, obviously was acting under the orders of Kagame.
Parallel to these killings, kidnappings and abductions were operated by the secret services of Kagame around the world. Thus in 1996, Karamira who was Vice-President of the MDR party was kidnapped in Ethiopia and forcibly repatriated in Kigali. He was summarily tried and executed in public. Soon after, former Justice Minister, Mrs Agnes Ntamabyariro, was kidnapped by a commando from exile in Zambia and found herself in Kigali. For more than 15 years, she languishes in jail without trial until today.
In Belgium, a reporter revealed that the Rwandan government had asked him to identify a certain group of Rwandan refugees for their neutralization. In Norway, a Rwandan exile threatened by Kagame’s death squads is under heavy police protection in that country. The threat is so serious that the individual wears an electronic bracelet so that he can be traced at any time, for his safety. More recently, in South Africa, commandos fired on General Kayumba Nyamwasa, former Chief of Staff of the army of the RPF. This terrorist act was orchestrated by the invisible hand of Kagame.
Direct or indirect threats continue to reach Rwandan exiles living in different countries. But so far, few security services had taken them seriously and they especially did not cause any political debate. We hope that the case of Britain will be followed and that police services in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, US, Canada, Norway and other countries, take this time  Rwandan exiles’ worries seriously and put in place stronger deterrents  for criminal plans of Kigali in their countries.
No compromise with a rogue regime which practices state terrorism!
Beyond the implications of this police case in London, we hope and expect that policies in different countries will be reviewed accordingly in order to stop criminal activities of Kagame’s regime on their territories. As suggested by some British MPs, financial assistance generously provided to the dictator should be cut. After which sanctions would be as well considered if he persists in practicing state terrorism. And if he carries on undeterred, why not consider hitting the facilities of Kagame’s army and his intelligence services which spread death in foreign capitals? After all, Muammar Gaddafi is an amateur next to Paul Kagame.

Related articles

• The Purpose-Driven Death Squads (barthsnotes.wordpress.com)
• Rwanda's Paul Kagame hits back at Twitter critic (upfrontmenblog.wordpress.com)
• You: British police warn Rwandan exiles in the UK their life is in danger from Rwandan government (washingtonpost.com)
• Rwandans in UK 'threatened by hitman' (bbc.co.uk)
• Lunch with Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda. (slate.com)
• Stephen W. Smith: Fables of Rwanda (lrb.co.uk)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (foxnews.com)
• UK police: Rwandan government threatens exiles (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• British Police Warn Rwandan Dissidents of Threat (nytimes.com)
• My twitterspat with Paul Kagame | Ian Birrell (guardian.co.uk)

RWANDA : FIASCO D'UN ENSEIGNEMENT AU BORD DE L'EFFONDREMENT

Image via Wikipedia

by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for President on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 6:32pm

RWANDA: FIASCO D'UN ENSEIGNEMENT AU BORD DE L'EFFONDREMENT

1. Situation actuelle: Le fiasco de l’enseignement au Rwanda.

Selon «The Rwandan Statistician», le dernier bulletin de Recherche de l’Institut National des Statistiques du Rwanda, qui se fait l’écho des résultats de la récente enquête intégrale sur les conditions de vie des ménages, près de 80% des jeunes Rwandais âgés de 13 à 18 ans ont accès à l’enseignement secondaire.



Ce chiffre, qu’il faut prendre avec des pincettes, prouverait un progrès remarquable par rapport à la situation d’avant 1994 où à peine 3% de cette tranche d’âge fréquentait l’école secondaire. Malheureusement cette progression n'aurait pas été accompagnée par l’amélioration de la qualité. Ceci a été déploré par le rapport d'une commission spéciale des députés sur la situation de l'enseignement discuté au parlement déjà depuis le 24 mars 2010.

Le niveau est tellement bas que les étudiants rwandais qui arrivent en Europe pour poursuivre et/ou parachever leurs études, éprouvent de sérieuses difficultés à suivre et sont souvent rétrogradés d’un à deux ans selon les orientations pour des remises à niveau.

Cette baisse de niveau est due à plusieurs facteurs:

- la formation et les conditions de vie des enseignants

- la langue d’enseignement

- les conditions d’études
l’enseignement est devenu une sorte de business

La formation et les conditions de vie des enseignants

Au lieu d’utiliser les enseignants formés et qualifiés se trouvant au Rwanda avant la prise du pouvoir par le FPR, celui-ci les a mis de côté, marginalisés ou emprisonnés en les accusant d’idéologie génocidaire et s’est contenté de les remplacer par des rapatriés qui ne remplissaient pas les conditions requises : pas de formation appropriée, pas de titre requis, ou qui ne maîtrisaient même pas la langue d’enseignement de l’époque, en l’occurrence le français.

Les autorités du FPR ont créé Kigali Institute of Education qui tente, tant bien que mal, de remédier à la situation, mais le rapport cité plus haut de la Commission Sociale du Parlement qui déplore tant la médiocrité de formation des enseignants que des étudiants, montre bien qu’il y a encore d’énormes progrès à accomplir; ce rapport affirme notamment que les lauréats des universités rwandaises sont incapables de rédiger convenablement une lettre de demande d’emploi, beaucoup sont incapables de faire des rédactions des brochures de fin de cycle ( mémoires) et recourent des fois à des intellectuels prisonniers et à d'autres corvéables en échange de l'argent ou d'autres avantages.



Le remplacement inopiné et brutal, du jour au lendemain, du français parlé par 80% de la population scolarisée, par l’anglais, a compliqué la situation. L'abolition de la langue parlée par l’écrasante majorité du corps enseignant a mis au chômage des professeurs francophones remplacés par des anglophones sans matériels didactiques adéquats et sans formations appropriées.

Par ailleurs, le maigre salaire des enseignants, accompagné de la dégradation de leur considération sociale tant de la part des élèves, des parents que de leurs autorités hiérarchiques, a un impact négatif sur l'image de l'enseignement.



Le manque de discipline des élèves et de plusieurs membres du corps professoral a instauré une situation chaotique dans beaucoup d'établissements scolaires.

Les promotions automatiques où les élèves ne font pas d’effort afin de passer dans la classe supérieure, a eu comme conséquence directe d’avoir beaucoup de finalistes incompétents.

La langue d’enseignement

Depuis le 10/01/2011, l’anglais est désormais, la seule et unique langue d’enseignement secondaire et universitaire au Rwanda.

La rentrée scolaire a coïncidé avec la mise en œuvre d’une autre mesure décidée par les autorités rwandaises, à savoir le «Programme Enseignement de base des 9 ans» qui consiste à permettre à tous les jeunes rwandais de terminer l’école primaire et le premier cycle du secondaire. Les mesures d'accompagnement font défaut En plus du défit de la langue véhiculaire, il y a une insuffisance de locaux, un manque de matériels didactiques et de professeurs compétents.

Les autorités religieuses, en particulier l’évêque catholique Mgr Sérvillien NZAKAMWITA, proposent l’introduction de la langue maternelle, le Kinyarwanda, à coté de l’anglais, étant donné que cette dernière langue n’est pas du tout maîtrisée par tous les élèves qui sortent du lycée. Elles renchérissent en ajoutant qu’enseigner en Kinyarwanda surtout dans le cycle primaire n’empêcherait en aucun cas l’apprentissage d’autres langues étrangères, notamment l’anglais, le français et le kiswahili qui sont essentiels comme outils de communication et pour la poursuite des études dans des pays étrangers.



Les conditions d’études

Le pauvre et l’enfant du pauvre resteront ignorants et pauvres», disent les paysans rwandais.

Dans les conditions actuelles, les inégalités et l’injustice sociales au Rwanda ne peuvent donc que s’aggraver. En effet, les études au Rwanda coûtent de plus en plus cher, et, confrontés déjà à la cherté de la vie et aux autres conséquences de l’inflation, les pauvres sont incapables de subvenir aux frais scolaires de leurs enfants, notamment le minerval et l’achat de matériel didactique.

Par ailleurs, les bibliothèques sont inexistantes ou embryonnaires; l’accès à l’outil informatique demande des moyens exorbitants; les conditions d’études (lumières, salles d’étude, aide aux devoirs,...) ne sont pas réunies.



En plus, comme le Gouvernement rwandais a décidé la suppression du système d’internat et d’allocations d’études, la situation va s’empirer. Privés de bourses d’études, beaucoup d’étudiants sont contraints de travailler; ce qui les empêche d’aller au cours, d’où «travailler plus, étudier moins»; d’autres ont déjà renoncé à leurs étude. Par exemple au niveau de l'université nationale du Rwanda sur 85 inscrits en Agronomie, 28 sont retournés chez eux.

Le tableau ci-dessous montre l’ampleur de la mesure de suppression de bourses d’études supérieures pour cette année académique dans les institutions de l’Etat

1ère année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 1029

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 340



2ème année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 1564

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 355



3ème année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 1429

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 635



4ème année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 1203

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 353



5ème année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 57

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 11



6ème année:

Les non bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 37

Les bénéficiaires de frais de subsistance: 5

En outre, tous les cours dans les différentes disciplines doivent être accompagnés par l’idéologie du Front Patriotique Rwandais qui est devenu ipso facto le Parti-Etat. Les élèves finalistes des études secondaires doivent passer quelques mois dans des camps de formation idéologique et militaire baptisés «INGANDO» où les élèves subissent le lavage de cerveau notamment par l’initiation à l’histoire réécrite par le régime dictatorial. Pendant la clôture de l’INGANDO sous la direction des hautes autorités y compris l’armée et la police, la rentrée forcée de chaque étudiant dans le parti FPR est obligatoire; ce qui explique l’objectif principal de ces camps.



* l’enseignement devenu business



Dans le but d’acquérir un niveau d’études toujours plus élevé en vue d’augmenter les chances de trouver un emploi ou de gagner plus, il y a une course effrénée aux diplômes. En effet, si les conditions requises changent au niveau du travail, on peut à tout moment se voir remplacer par quelqu’un d’autre.

En outre, les frais académiques sont trop élevés (plus de 5000$ par an); à moins d’être boursiers de l’Etat ou bénéficiaires d’un crédit bancaire, rares sont les parents capables de s’acquitter d’un tel montant. Cette situation incite des gens véreux à la fraude pour avoir le précieux sésame; cela explique le trafic énorme de faux diplômes, de faux certificat d’études secondaires, voire de niveaux académiques.

S’agissant de la suppression de l’internat, celui-ci a suscité de l’inquiétude chez les parents et les élèves puisque les conditions ne sont pas réunies pour l’externat: pas d’électricité à la maison, pas de moyen de déplacement, un long trajet à parcourir, le coût exorbitant du loyer et de la nourriture, etc.



En plus, les autorités exigent que les parents interviennent pour le repas de midi puisque le Rwanda ne veut plus de l’aide en vivres fournie par le Programme Alimentaire Mondial alors que les prix des produits alimentaires flambent fortement et que la famine est désormais devenue endémique.



* Conséquences fâcheuses



Cette situation calamiteuse de l’enseignement rwandais entraîne inexorablement des conséquences graves comme:
Arrivés sur place, aux problèmes évoqués plus haut vécus au Rwanda, s’ajoutent les difficultés d’intégration sociale;l’exode des étudiants rwandais vers les pays limitrophes (Ouganda, Burundi, Tanzanie, Kenya) à la recherche d’hypothétiques études moins onéreuses et d’un niveau d’enseignement plus ou moins élevé

le manque de planification qui a comme corollaire la production d’un grand nombre d’universitaires mal formés et voués au chômage;
la piètre qualité des diplômes: à titre d’exemples: sur 611 étudiants universitaires ayant réussi les examens finaux de la promotion du 27/03/2009, l’on compte 509 satisfactions (83,31%), 101 distinctions (16,53%) et 1 seule grande distinction (0,16%).



2. Propositions d’améliorations



Pour Les FDU-INKINGI, toute politique dans le domaine de l’éducation doit tendre à répondre aux besoins éducatifs fondamentaux. Ces besoins concernent aussi bien les outils d’apprentissage essentiels, que les contenus éducatifs fondamentaux dont l’être humain a besoin pour survivre, pour développer toutes ses facultés, pour vivre et travailler dans la dignité, pour participer pleinement au développement, pour améliorer la qualité de son existence, pour prendre des décisions éclairées et pour continuer à apprendre. Les FDU-INKINGI estiment que le Rwanda a d’abord besoin des citoyens dotés de compétences expertes nécessaires au dynamisme économique du pays et à l’émancipation sociale et culturelle de chaque rwandais. C’est toute la problématique de l’autonomisation de la personne qui est posée. Elles considèrent que la scolarisation est un instrument d’émancipation et de justice sociale. L’éducation et la formation professionnelle doivent être considérées à juste titre comme des outils de réduction des inégalités sociales et de renforcement de l’égalité des chances.
Dans cette optique, les FDU-INKINGI restent convaincues que:

* L’éducation de base est un droit fondamental de tout rwandais;
* L’éducation est un des facteurs qui contribuent à l’amélioration de la santé, de la sécurité, de la prospérité. Elle contribue au maintien d’un environnement viable pour l’homme, favorise le progrès social, économique et culturel ainsi que la tolérance et la capacité de vivre ensemble;
L’éducation dite traditionnelle est le point de départ de toutes les formes d’éducation modernes et peut contribuer aussi valablement que les autres formes d’éducation au développement de la société;\
La formation professionnelle et sa généralisation constituent une priorité.

Au niveau du contenu des cours au secondaire, les FDU-INKINGI optent pour des cours généraux, y compris dans l’enseignement professionnel et technique, et pour l’introduction des matières correspondant à la réflexion fondamentale dès le deuxième cycle du secondaire. Ainsi:

* Le cours d’éducation à la citoyenneté sera introduit dans l’enseignement pour favoriser l’émergence d’une véritable culture du vivre ensemble et pour préparer les jeunes à participer activement à la vie démocratique et à exercer leurs droits et responsabilités.
* L’histoire des idées philosophiques, morales, religieuses, économiques ou scientifiques figurera en bonne place au programme.
* La confrontation et l’échange des expériences seront favorisés pour permettre l’essor de nouvelles formes de respect mutuel et pour éviter un repli sur sa propre identité, en développant cet art du débat et de la conversation qui est l’art de se mettre à la place de l’autre, à égalité avec lui, en nous arrachant aux automatismes de notre pensée.
* L’éducation nationale fera revivre à chaque enfant les grands moments de notre histoire mais devra éviter que cet enseignement soit inspiré par une démarche d’instrumentalisation pour aboutir à un discours mensonger. Il s’agit d’évoquer le passé pour y puiser les semences saines de l’avenir.
* L’ouverture vers l’extérieur sera garantie par la diversification de l’enseignement des langues, des cultures et de l'histoire de l'humanité.


Face à un enseignement qui a longtemps été marqué par un manque de transparence dans l’admission des élèves et étudiants aussi bien dans les établissements secondaires que supérieurs, et face aux mécontentements et aux inégalités engendrés par le système au sein de la population, les FDU-INKINGI prévoient un programme sectoriel basé à la fois sur:

l’accroissement de la capacité d’accueil au niveau primaire, secondaire, supérieur et universitaire;

Face au déficit qu’accuse actuellement le Rwanda au niveau des ressources humaines, notre pays a dans le moyen terme plus besoin d’entrepreneurs, d’ouvriers qualifiés, de techniciens supérieurs et d’ingénieurs. Cela va de pair avec:

* sur le terrain et dans des écoles;La formation accélérée du personnel d’encadrement et de techniciens supérieurs
* La création et la réhabilitation d’écoles professionnelles et la généralisation de l’apprentissage professionnel;
* La création de sociétés d’ingénieries à même de mobiliser des spécialistes de différentes branches.



* la démocratisation de l’enseignement général et professionnelle tant au niveau du public que du privé.



Si l’accès à la formation et à la culture doit être offert au plus grand nombre, les FDU-INKINGI ne le conçoivent pas dans un cadre autre que celui qui offre l’égalité des chances pour tous les candidats afin d’acquérir une formation qualifiante. Dans ce cadre, les FDU-INKINGI entendent mettre sur pied une meilleure politique de prêts et bourses pour les candidats méritants, et de subventions aux établissements d’enseignement privés méritants pour favoriser l’accès d’un plus grand nombre de gens aux établissements d’enseignement supérieur ou universitaire.

jouer un rôle prépondérant dans ce secteur d’autant que l’enseignement jusqu'à un certain niveau sera du ressort des entités provinciales et communales.La décentralisation devra, elle aussi

Les parents seront eux aussi étroitement associés à l’éducation de leurs enfants dès leur jeune âge et devront être conscientisés sur l’importance de l’éducation, car il subsiste encore quelques réticences chez certains parents à envoyer leurs enfants à l’école.

LES FDU-INKINGI se battent pour une société où la fonction d’enseignant deviendra le moteur en vue d'atteindre la qualité de l’enseignement tant dans le secteur public que privé. Une des mesures prioritaires pour les FDU-INKINGI à cet effet sera de revaloriser le métier d’enseignant, non seulement en améliorant le sort matériel et les conditions de travail des fonctionnaires de l’éducation nationale, mais plus encore en œuvrant à réévaluer leur place dans la société et à rétablir le respect qui leur est dû. La hiérarchie des salaires devra être progressivement élargie. La contrepartie de cette revalorisation sera de consacrer systématiquement au moins 1 mois de vacances scolaires à des stages d’échange et de perfectionnement pédagogique, à des cours de rattrapage ou à des remises à niveau.

Conclusion:

Dans leurs soucis d’équité sociale, les FDU-INKINGI sont en faveur d'une scolarité obligatoire jusqu'à 19 ans et un programme d'alphabétisation fonctionnelle à grande échelle pour les adultes.

L'actuel système d’études qui favorise beaucoup la filière généraliste sachant bien que moins d’un quart seulement des élèves formés pourront accéder à la formation supérieure, les autres restant sur le carreau sans perspective, est élitiste et creuse un fossé de plus en plus profond des inégalités sociales. C’est la raison pour laquelle les FDU-INKINGI feront en sorte que, pour au moins 80% des jeunes qui finissent la scolarité obligatoire, puisse accéder à une formation professionnelle qualifiante.

Dans un pays où plus de 60% de la population vit en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, supprimer les bourses d’études revient à barrer objectivement la porte des études aux enfants méritants issus des familles pauvres. Les FDU-INKINGI restaureront les bourses d’études pour ces catégories de population. Elles introduiront aussi un système d’épargne-crédits-études à long terme, à des taux bonifiés. Pour les parents de la classe moyenne inférieure qui ont des enfants aux études supérieures, un système d’abattement de la taxe professionnelle sera instauré pour pouvoir financer les études des enfants. Il va de soi que les parents aisés pourvoiront aux frais des études de leurs enfants.

Fait à Kigali, le 18 Mai 2011

Boniface Twagirimana

Premier vice-président provisoire

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