By RNA Reporter
November 19, 2009
Kigali: Government of Rwanda reacted with dismay on Monday and Tuesday as two Genocide suspects were cleared and freed, but the defense lawyers of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda say there is more to come, RNA reports.
On Monday, Protais Zigiranyirazo known as “Mr. Z”, the brother-in-law of the former President Juvenal Habyarimana was freed. Barely 24hours later, the catholic priest Father Hormisdas Nsengimana – alleged to have led a “death squad” to kill his own Tutsi students, was also cleared.
The Bureau of ICTR-ADAD, the association of defense lawyers has now said in a statement that it “welcomes” the Trial Chamber Judgement acquitting another accused “in as many days”.
This week’s acquittals follow the December 2008 acquittal on “genocide conspiracy or planning” charges of Gen. Gratien Kabiligi and three senior military officers including the alleged mastermind of the mass slaughter, Colonel Theoneste Bagosora. The acquittal was published in February 2009.
Though the two cleared this week of all the allegations against them were released immediately, the above soldiers were found guilty of other aspects on their charge sheets.
“The lack of evidence of “planning or conspiracy to commit genocide” requires a complete re-examination of the undeniable wave of violence that swept Rwanda in 1994, and the end of a 4-year war which began” when President ruling RPF rebels came in from Uganda, according to ADAD.
The rebel war culminated into a massive government offensive which exploded into mass civilian violence. On April 06, 1994 - when Rwandan President Habyarimana and Burundi’s President Ntaryamira were assassinated, the mass slaughter spread.
In deciding on the accusations against the catholic priest, the three-man trial court found “insufficient factual and legal basis for concluding that Father Nsengimana was guilty of any crimes.
The French defense lawyer Emmanuel Altit has already announced the team would seek compensation for his years of unlawful incarceration. But the prosecutor has also indicated he will appeal against the release of the priest who is still in Tanzania and can be re-arrested.
ICTR Judges Møse (Norway), Sergei Egorov (Russian Federation) and Arrey (Cameroon) issued the priest’s acquittal.
Interestingly, Judges Mose and Egorov, with Judge Jai Jam Reddy (Fiji), also acquitted the senior military officers in the Military-1 case of Bagosora, Kabiligi, Ntabakuze and Nsengiyumva.
Related Materials:
ICTR-ADAD Welcomes Acquittal of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana on Charges of Genocide and “Genocide Planning”
ICTR: Rwanda Genocide Ruling Overturned
Rwanda: “Genocide Planning” Again Rejected at ICTR
Rwanda: No Conspiracy, No Genocide Planning ... No Genocide?
Rwanda: Conspiracy to Commit Genocide, Important Missing Puzzle Piece
More Missing Puzzle Pieces for Inquiring Minds or Possibly Trolls
Thursday, November 19, 2009
USA: Scientists to study volatile Rwandan lake
By UPI.com
November 19, 2009
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have organized a research project to study dangers presented by Rwanda's Lake Kivu, which contains high levels of carbon dioxide and methane.
Scientists said they can't be certain the volatile mixture at the bottom of the lake will remain still as it has for 1,000 years or someday explode without warning. The region, prone to volcanic and seismic activity, is also home to approximately 2 million people, many of them refugees living along the north end of the lake.
The Rochester Institute of Technology
, using a National Science Foundation grant, will fund the travel and lodging expenses for 18 U.S. scientists to attend a three-day January workshop in Gisenyi, Rwanda, to discuss the problem.
The conference is being organized by Associate Professor Anthony Vodacek and the Rwandan Ministry of Education, along with Cindy Ebinger, an expert in East African Rift tectonics at the University of Rochester, and Robert Hecky of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Core samples Hecky obtain during the 1970s initially brought the safety of Lake Kivu under question.
"Most scientists are fairly in agreement that the lake is pretty stable. It's not as if it's going to come bursting out tomorrow," Vodacek said. "But in such a tectonically and volcanically active area, you can't tell what's going to happen."
Related Materials:
Volatile Gas Could Turn Rwandan Lake Into a Freshwater Time Bomb
November 19, 2009
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have organized a research project to study dangers presented by Rwanda's Lake Kivu, which contains high levels of carbon dioxide and methane.
Scientists said they can't be certain the volatile mixture at the bottom of the lake will remain still as it has for 1,000 years or someday explode without warning. The region, prone to volcanic and seismic activity, is also home to approximately 2 million people, many of them refugees living along the north end of the lake.
The Rochester Institute of Technology
, using a National Science Foundation grant, will fund the travel and lodging expenses for 18 U.S. scientists to attend a three-day January workshop in Gisenyi, Rwanda, to discuss the problem.
The conference is being organized by Associate Professor Anthony Vodacek and the Rwandan Ministry of Education, along with Cindy Ebinger, an expert in East African Rift tectonics at the University of Rochester, and Robert Hecky of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Core samples Hecky obtain during the 1970s initially brought the safety of Lake Kivu under question.
"Most scientists are fairly in agreement that the lake is pretty stable. It's not as if it's going to come bursting out tomorrow," Vodacek said. "But in such a tectonically and volcanically active area, you can't tell what's going to happen."
Related Materials:
Volatile Gas Could Turn Rwandan Lake Into a Freshwater Time Bomb
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Kenya: Food versus Jatropha
A Case Study for Small Scale Farmer in Kenya Marginal lands
By MWAURA NDERITU
Rettet den Regenwald
November 23, 2008
NECOFA – KENYA
Defined as areas that receive low rainfall and are problematic sites in terms of soil erosion because the little rainfall they receive comes in heavy down pour. These regions have very fragile ecosystems. Since they are fragile, these areas are subject to environment stress of deforestation, prolonged draughts, decreasing soil and ground water.
However the term marginal does not mean that these lands are uninhabited or waste. They support very large human and animal population. Most of Kenya falls under this category e.g. North Rift districts of Turkana, Samburu, Mararal, Kapenguria, North Eastern provinces, the upper Eastern province and South Rift.
The myth the west uses is that marginal lands are waste lands, this can never be further from the truth. These areas also have food crops that are adopted to these regions. However poor Agricultural practices based on monocultures have introduced food crops that are not site adopted in these areas e.g. the growth of maize varieties that are not adapted to these regions increasing food insecurity and leading to food aid dependency. To reclaim marginal lands “Scientific Interventions” have been introduced, of such intervention is the introduction of prosopis juliflora, locally known as Mathenge a weed introduced in the 1970’s in Baringo district, the home of minority Illchamus community.
The Illchamus community occupies 2 divisions of Marigat and Lokutan. These communities have gone to court and the court ruled that the government be held liable for the loss visited on the community and the environment.
The prosopis juliflora – a weed, was introduced to curb soil erosion, based on the fact that it was draught resistant, hardy, establishes easily because it grows relatively quickly. These were the only factor considered then. The plant now occupies half of the communities land and were it not for their efforts to try and fight the plant, they would have no land by now. The weed is very invasive, with seeds that are prolific in production, long life and high germination rate. Seeds are dispersed by wind, the plant has a rapid maturation to seed producing stage and strong vegetative growth all signs of a nightmare for other plants.
The mathenge plant is a big danger to the people of Marigat and Lokitan. The plant is toxic. If one is injured say by being pricked by a thorn or piece of this plant the wound formed do not heal for a long time. As is the case that went to court a goat was shown to have been rendered partially toothless by the plant. The weed has maimed people and livestock, the thorns cause paralysis of the limbs leading to amputation. According to one resident Mr. Charles Nabori, the weed was introduced by officials from the food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the forestry department when he served in the area as a chief. He told the court that he has shifted from his home after it was invaded by the weed. Has the government learnt from this lesson? The answer is no. Listen to jatropha case in Kenya.
JATROPHA
Myth – “Jatropha Curcus does very well in areas of low rainfall and ‘problematic sites’ because it is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly, is hardy and draught resistant.
It can be used to reclaim eroded areas. It can be grown as a boundary fence or live hedge in arid and semi arid areas.”
What a nice argument obtained after a workshop sponsored by the Rockfeller foundation and the Scientific and Industrial research development center – Zibambwe. This argument could have been the same in the 1970’s for prosopis juliflora. Now being replayed 20 years later, same argument, same people, different plant, the “Margical jatropha Curcas.” Hear this – jatropha is not browsed, the leaves and stem are toxic to animals, but the cake after “treatment” can be used as animals feed talk of sugar coated poison.
Origin of jatropha in Kenya. I may not have the exact dates but jatropha was introduced from central America by various players such as the Green Africa foundations – founded by funds from Prince Albert II De Manaco, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology through Help Self – Help Center based in Narumoro near Nanyuki town currently producing 600-1000 liters of biodiesel per day funded by the Japanese government.
Jatropha current position in Kenya
Through the Green Africa foundation, small scale farmers in the Southern part of Eastern province i.e. Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Kutus etc are being lured into contractual growing of jatropha, the myth is:
(1) A farmer can grow own diesel, decentralizing the energy source. This will be a major boost for economic growth.
(2) One jatropha plant can produce 1 liter per year for 40 years.
(3) 90% of the work can be performed by the women therefore directly helping their revenue earning potential
(4) Jatropha is a draught resistant crop that grows on “bad soils” (call them marginal). More over it creates top soil and therefore helps make land arable (reclaiming the “waste lands”)
A rosy picture indeed but unfortunately what is actually happening does not support this optimistic views with jatropha in Kenya.
Jatropha raises serious concerns about environment, food and social impact.
(i) Countries like Western Australia banned its growth due to its being toxic to animals and human beings – has this information been made available to the farmers in Kenya? Definitely No.
(ii) The plant has the capacity to become a hard – to control. Invasive weed just like mathenge (prosopis juliflora).
(ii) Myths – farmers can grow jatropha in dry areas without irrigation and on poor soil. Technically this is true however the yield will be so low under this condition and therefore non tenable.
Studies in India show that without irrigation, average yield in 5 years is 1.1 to 2.75 tons per hectare compared to5.25 to 12.1 ton per hectare with irrigation.
Therefore, it seems that instead of being grown in the said marginal areas’ Jatropha in Kenya for production of agro fuels will compete directly with production of food on the most fertile, irrigated land. What a disaster on food production which is already experiencing problems.
(iv) Who will grow jatropha in Kenya?
Proponents say the crop is ideal for small – scale farmers. In practice, the small scale farmers are being pushed aside for corporate controlled production, either on large scale production (monocultures)controlled by multi national or through stringent contract agreement production where small scale farmers are USED.
The Minster for Agriculture – Hon Ruto in october announces that 500,000 acres of land will be set aside for cultivations of jatropha the question that begs is. Who will give this land, will it be curved from the existing forests? My wild guess is that this project could have been behind the ethnic cleansing in some parts of Kenya to create room for this multinational. Let us wait and see.
Like in most parts of the world jatropha has been converted into another plantation based Agric-business commodity tightly controlled from seed to fuel production by multinational corporation most of them in the existing petroleum industry. E.g.
1. British petroleum – plans to establish
100,000 hectares in Indonesia
2. Van der Host – in Singapore is Building a 200,000 – type bio diesel plant in Juran Islands
3. Mission Biofuels – Australia – hired Agro Diesel of India to manage 10,000 hectares in India and Malaysia
4. DOl oil – in Philippines
5. NRG Chemicals in UK – Owns 70% state
In a joint venture in state owned Philippians’ national oil company.
6. in Kenya Xenerga Inc a USA Based company and EUROFUEL – Technology a German based company. are companies behind the plantations in Kenya.
From the above data, who in fooling who; is the small scale farmer anywhere in the picture, are plantations being established in the desert or semi-desert? Your guess is as good as mine.
Other statistic show that
1. DOI has plantation in Ghana, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland in Africa or are using farmers to grow Jatropha for them through contrast growing agreement managed by DO1’s local partners such as Williamsons major Group. in Kenya the system is used through Green power East Africa, who are constructing a Biodiesel plant in Nairobi, the Green Africa foundation is coordinating the plantation efforts on Biwakos behalf – a Japanese firm. Under the Green Africa foundation they claim to have planted over 500,000 seedling this season is Eastern Rift valley, Coast and Nyanza provinces
2. Kenya Bio – diesel Association (who membership is questionable) was formed to promote Jatrapha in Kenya as an outcome of the 2008 National Bio conference in Nairobi – Funded by who? Japans BIWAKO – Bio laboratory. And will invest US Dollars 19.4 million in a Jatropha biodisel facility and plantation in an undisclosed location in Kenya (we will soon find out).
This is just the tip of the iceberg a monster; in fact what others would call a vampire is in the making.
Bio diesel are being taunted as ALTERNATIVE fuels, how can they be alternative while those in control are also the major players in the petroleum Business?
These are sweet words to hood wink the people while they are slowly being led down the slaughter house.
How the growths of Biofuels can improves the economic status of the women and people who grow them? How will this improve their food security? If – to quote a farmer Paul Maina (Daily Nation 2nd October 2008) “The alternative fuel has seen farmers in Narumoru abandoning what they normally cultivate to turn to the new crop” – is this the way to enhance food security? is it formed by research and good will of the people?
Similar “green revolutions” have been tried in Africa in the past .e.g. in the 1970s Kenya farmers were encourage to grow Coffee & tea for export to improve their economics status ,this resulted in food scarcity, and high food prices that have remained so. After the world tea and coffee market crumbled. The farmers today feel cheated but this was deliberately designed to be so. They grow the crops for cartels whose main objectives revolve around profits and more profits. Jatropha is the curse. Some thing has to be done to stop it
Way forward
The people – small scale farmers must know the myth and the truth. Their economic empowerment is paramount otherwise they will easily choose the wrong route – contractual agreements with the monster for a quick and short term gain.
Note:
The author can be contacted at "necofakenya@yahoo.com" or "smwauranderitu@yahoo.com"
Related Materials:
The UDF-INKINGI condemn the decision to sell 10,000 hectares for bio-fuel production to the detriment of people's food security in Rwanda
Rwanda: Cabinet approves US35m Bio-diesel project
Rwandan Hutu rebels denounce leaders' arrest
PRESS RELEASE/ FDLR /
The arrest of President Murwanashyaka and Vice-President Musoni in Germany is unfair and unjustified.
By Callixte Mbarushimana
Executive Secretary of the FDLR
Paris, November 18, 2009
The Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) would like to inform the media and the public that their President Dr. Ignace Murwanashyaka and Vice-President Straton Musoni were arrested by the German judicial authorities on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 on the accusation of leading an organization suspected by the Kigali regime of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in DR Congo.
The FDLR declare that Mr. Murwanashyaka and Mr. Musoni are innocent of the charges against them because the FDLR are in no way involved in the atrocities committed against civilians in eastern DRC.
The FDLR have always condemned and unequivocally condemn all atrocities committed against civilian populations in the Great Lakes Region of Africa and reiterate their demand for setting up a committee of independent international inquiry to shed light on these abuses, determine the real sponsors and perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The FDLR strong reject the energetic, unfair and sad desire aimed at neutralizing their leadership. Such a desire is advocated by some pressure groups and lobbies that serve the Kigali regime and is now being executed by the German authorities upon request from the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist and dictatorial regime in Kigali.
The FDLR were surprised that from all the annals of history it is the first time that a democratic country puts into effect the wishes of a fascist and dictatorial regime whose leaders are sought by international justice for crimes of terrorism, crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, rape and looting, crimes committed both in Rwanda and the DR Congo. Rather, it is the terrorists such as Kagame and his lieutenants, who have been indicted by the anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguière and J. MERELES, who should be arrested and prosecuted.
The FDLR which owe their origin from the popular will of autonomy and complete cessation of the adventure of a "democracy of cemetery" proposed by the RPF-Inkotanyi of Kagame and his sponsors, reaffirm, while condemning the arrest and imprisonment of their representatives, their determination to pursue till the end their objective, which is and still remains, the total liberation of the Rwandan people from the yoke of the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist regime.
The FDLR demand the immediate release of its leadership and slam the cynical and abhorrent behavior of an international community that is willing to sacrifice the values it claims to be spearheading while being slave of the spirit of lucre which left important stigma in Europe not too far ago.
The FDLR remain convinced that only through peaceful means such as a direct and frank dialogue between the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist regime in Kigali and the FDLR can solve the political problem in Rwanda and not the constant threat of war which is unnecessary and endless, unjust sanctions or any other terrorist or judicial action against their leadership and their members.
Related Materials:
Rwandan Hutu Rebels Denounce Genocide, Halt War
PETITION IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RWANDA
Ignace Murwanashyaka arrested in Germany
The arrest of President Murwanashyaka and Vice-President Musoni in Germany is unfair and unjustified.
By Callixte Mbarushimana
Executive Secretary of the FDLR
Paris, November 18, 2009
The Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) would like to inform the media and the public that their President Dr. Ignace Murwanashyaka and Vice-President Straton Musoni were arrested by the German judicial authorities on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 on the accusation of leading an organization suspected by the Kigali regime of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in DR Congo.
The FDLR declare that Mr. Murwanashyaka and Mr. Musoni are innocent of the charges against them because the FDLR are in no way involved in the atrocities committed against civilians in eastern DRC.
The FDLR have always condemned and unequivocally condemn all atrocities committed against civilian populations in the Great Lakes Region of Africa and reiterate their demand for setting up a committee of independent international inquiry to shed light on these abuses, determine the real sponsors and perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The FDLR strong reject the energetic, unfair and sad desire aimed at neutralizing their leadership. Such a desire is advocated by some pressure groups and lobbies that serve the Kigali regime and is now being executed by the German authorities upon request from the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist and dictatorial regime in Kigali.
The FDLR were surprised that from all the annals of history it is the first time that a democratic country puts into effect the wishes of a fascist and dictatorial regime whose leaders are sought by international justice for crimes of terrorism, crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, rape and looting, crimes committed both in Rwanda and the DR Congo. Rather, it is the terrorists such as Kagame and his lieutenants, who have been indicted by the anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguière and J. MERELES, who should be arrested and prosecuted.
The FDLR which owe their origin from the popular will of autonomy and complete cessation of the adventure of a "democracy of cemetery" proposed by the RPF-Inkotanyi of Kagame and his sponsors, reaffirm, while condemning the arrest and imprisonment of their representatives, their determination to pursue till the end their objective, which is and still remains, the total liberation of the Rwandan people from the yoke of the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist regime.
The FDLR demand the immediate release of its leadership and slam the cynical and abhorrent behavior of an international community that is willing to sacrifice the values it claims to be spearheading while being slave of the spirit of lucre which left important stigma in Europe not too far ago.
The FDLR remain convinced that only through peaceful means such as a direct and frank dialogue between the RPF-Inkotanyi fascist regime in Kigali and the FDLR can solve the political problem in Rwanda and not the constant threat of war which is unnecessary and endless, unjust sanctions or any other terrorist or judicial action against their leadership and their members.
Related Materials:
Rwandan Hutu Rebels Denounce Genocide, Halt War
PETITION IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RWANDA
Ignace Murwanashyaka arrested in Germany
Volatile Gas Could Turn Rwandan Lake Into a Freshwater Time Bomb
By ScienceDaily
November 16, 2009
Photo:
Lake Kivu on Rwandan side.
(Credit: iStockphoto/Yves Grau)
A dangerous level of carbon dioxide and methane gas haunts Lake Kivu, the freshwater lake system bordering Rwanda and the Republic of Congo.
Scientists can't say for sure if the volatile mixture at the bottom of the lake will remain still for another 1,000 years or someday explode without warning. In a region prone to volcanic and seismic activity, the fragility of Lake Kivu is a serious matter. Compounding the precarious situation is the presence of approximately 2 million people, many of them refugees, living along the north end of the lake.
An international group of researchers will meet Jan. 13-15 in Gisenyi, Rwanda, to grapple with the problem of Lake Kivu. A grant from the National Science Foundation won by Rochester Institute of Technology will fund the travel and lodging for 18 scientists from the United States to attend the three-day workshop. Anthony Vodacek, conference organizer and associate professor at RIT's Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, is working closely with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to organize the meeting.
"Rwandan universities suffered greatly in the 1994 genocide and there are few Rwandan scientists performing significant work on the lake or within the rift system," Vodacek notes. "We will work with the government to identify interested researchers."
Vodacek is convening the workshop with Cindy Ebinger, an expert in East African Rift tectonics at the University of Rochester, and Robert Hecky, an expert in limnology -- the study of lake systems -- at University of Minnesota-Duluth. Core samples Hecky took in the 1970s initially brought the safety of Lake Kivu under question.
Addressing the lake as a whole system is a new concept for the workshop participants, who will bring their expertise in volcanology, tectonics and limnology to the problem. Vodacek's goal is to prioritize research activities and improve communication between the North American, European and African collaborators.
"Most scientists are fairly in agreement that the lake is pretty stable; it's not as if its going to come bursting out tomorrow," Vodacek says. "But in such a tectonically and volcanically active area, you can't tell what's going to happen."
One of the problems with Lake Kivu is that the 1,600-foot deep lake never breathes. The tropical climate helps stagnate the layers of the lake, which never mix or turn over. In contrast, fluctuating temperatures in colder climates help circulate lake water and prevent gas build up. Lake Kivu is different from both temperate and other tropical lakes because warm saline springs, arising from ground water percolating through the hot fractured lava and ash, further stabilize the lake. Scientists at the workshop will consider how these spring inputs may vary over time under changing climates and volcanic activity.
A number of catalysts could destabilize the gas resting at the bottom of Lake Kivu. It could be an earthquake, a volcanic explosion, a landslide or even the methane mining that has recently united Rwandan and Congolese interests.
Close calls occurred in 2008 when an earthquake occurred near the lake and in 2002 when a volcanic eruption destroyed parts of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, only 11 miles north of Lake Kivu. Although scientists were alarmed, neither event sufficiently disturbed the gas.
Vodacek likens the contained pressure in the lake to a bottle of carbonated soda or champagne. "In the lake, you have the carbon dioxide on the bottom and 300 meters of water on top of that, which is the cap," he says. "That's the pressure that holds it. The gas is dissolved in water."
When the cap is removed, bubbles form and rise to the surface. More bubbles form and create a column that drags the water and the gas up to the surface in a chain reaction.
"The question is, and what's really unknown, is how explosive is that?" Vodacek says.
Through his own research Vodacek plans to simulate the circulation of Lake Kivu. Modeling the circulation patterns above the layers of carbon dioxide and methane will help determine the energy required to disrupt the gas and cause Lake Kivu to explode.
Related Materials:
Le Lac Kivu est-il une véritable bombe à retardement pour les populations environnantes?
RDC/RWANDA: Exploitation du gaz méthane au Kivu
Tracing the roots of the Rwanda Patriotic Front and Army
By Brig. Gen. Frank Rusagara
The New Times-Kigali
November 19, 2009
Photo:
Brig. Gen. Frank Rusagara (DA London), launching his book, Resilience of a Nation: A History of the Military in Rwanda, at Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) London- UK.
All struggles, armed or otherwise, are presumed to espouse some form of ideology, if only to focus and sharpen the struggle’s intent and rally its adherents to the cause.
The history leading to the Rwandan genocide molded the RPF and what it would turn out to be as a politico-military organization.
As detailed in the book, The Resilience of a Nation: A History of the Military in Rwanda, the prime motivation and ideological impetus that drove the RPF “struggle” can be traced to a socio-military tradition spanning nearly a thousand years.
While the age of Rwanda as a nation remains in dispute among historians and scholars such as the late Alison des Forges, Bethwell Ogot and Jan Vansina, The Resilience of a Nation: A History of the Military in Rwanda narrates the “thousand” year history of the country from a “Rwandan perspective”.
The book attempts to tell the pre-colonial history as handed down in Rwandan traditional oral poetry through the generations.
It dwells on this history drawing from other research, but largely from the poems, which describe every aspect of the traditional culture that was socially organized around the military.
Collected and transcribed in the 1940s from court poets of the time by Abbé Alexis Kagame, arguably the most important of Rwandan intellectuals, the poems narrate the history, major events and military exploits of the Rwandan kingdom in a tradition akin to that of the griots of West Africa.
The book also discusses the coming of the colonialists—first the Germans, then the Belgians—who, particularly the Belgians, went on to destroy the military as a way of life of a “united people”, thereby redefining their history.
Rwanda’s history as popularly known internationally derives from a colonial interpretation, thus presenting a “Eurocentric” perspective of Rwanda. This laid the foundation to, and abetted, the “racist ideology” that resulted in the Rwandan genocide.
Racist Ideology
At the root of the racist ideology was the initial colonial perception of the Tutsi as superior than the Hutu.
In early 20th century Governor General Ryckmans had observed that, “The Batutsi were destined to reign over their people. Their presence alone already insured them considerable prestige over the inferior races surrounding them.”
This was the colonial strategy for divide-and-rule, before the Belgians had a change of heart and decided to back the Hutu for political leadership just before independence in 1962.
Even with the exit of the Belgians it remained a “fact” that the Tutsi were “alien” to Rwanda and “racially” different from the Hutu.
This was the popular historical view right up to the 1994 genocide, of which the Hutu were supposedly cleansing the land off the “cockroaches” as the final solution.
The fact that Rwandan history text books taught the “racial” difference between the Hutu and Tutsi led to their being banned from schools.
This is in addition to the terms “Tutsi” and “Hutu” being outlawed from public discourse, with emphasis on Rwandans as a people drawing from their history.
The Military in Rwanda
The Resilience of a Nation distils the country’s history beginning with the pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence periods of the country to the present asserting that “The history of Rwanda is the history of its military”.
It is a story that encompasses exile, betrayal of both communities, rebellion, sacrifice, war and extreme violence, and now peace and reconstruction.
While the traditional military may have held together the nation during the pre-colonial times, a succession of military forces would brutalise the nation leading to the genocide.
In the colonial period, it was, first, the Congo-Belge Force Publique and the Garde Territoriale du Rwanda-Urundi. In the post-independence period, it was the sectarian and Hutu-nised Garde Nationale du Rwanda in the First Republic, and then the Forces Armées Rwandaises [FAR] in the Second Republic.
The “Hutu-nised” military in the First and Second Republics, under Grégoire Kayibanda and Juvénal Habyarimana, respectively, was constituted using the ingenious pignet system.
To qualify for the military one “had to score at least 5 or less points of pignet" which worked on a formula that took the measurement of the height of the recruit in centimeters, less the sum of breadth of the chest in centimeters, plus the weight in kilogrammes.
The pignet system of recruitment favoured the short and stocky ‘Hutu’ constructs to the exclusion of the taller and slender ‘Tutsi’ constructs. In Hutu-nising the force, the key was that the shorter and stockier the better the military material.
This system of military recruitment underscored the segregation and persecution in the wider society, leading to recurring waves of exiles to neighbouring countries through the decades.
Exile gave rise to the inyenzi guerrilla movement in the 1960s, and then the Rwanda Patriotic Front and Army (RPF/A) in the late 1980s and early 90s, leading to the pragmatism of the current Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) that has seen it gain international respect and recognition in peace support operations in conflict areas such as Darfur.
The Rwanda Patriotic Front
Unlike with the previous regimes, inclusivity of all Rwandans and instilling a sense of patriotism was the guiding RPF principle since its formation in 1987 in Kampala.
As explained in The Resilience of a Nation, “culture...not only would it provide the way, but the basis for the struggle borrowing from the heroic history of Rwanda’s past.
This was drawing from a long-standing tradition of ‘narrativization’ through such as poetry (ibisigo) and the art of oratorical rhetoric (ibyivugo).
“Narrativization was used by the RPF to acquire its own legitimacy and vision. RPF outlined Rwandan history in a bid to cast it in what it considered a realistic perspective.
The narrativisation of the past glory of the Rwandan nation was passed around in order to create a sense of belonging to a community and history that transcended the experience of conflict.
It is this vision that continues to sustain the country through traditional institutions such as the gacaca, as well as the less known Ingando/Ingabo, which traditionally was a military encampment where the troops would be reminded of their patriotism and duty to the kingdom as a “united people”.
The acknowledgement is that the nation of Rwanda first existed in the military. And, in appreciating this, the concept of the Ingando was so successfully used to integrate the soldiers of the previous regime into what is now the Rwanda Defence Forces, that it was replicated in the civil sector with students, teachers, prisoners, etc.
Rwanda’s resilience as a nation is undergirded by its military and, as already observed, “The history of Rwanda is the history of it’s military.”
Rwanda suffered its lowest moments in the sectarian policies of the Hutu-nised military, but was able to demonstrate its integrative ability under the RDF, informing national development.
Appreciating the role of the military in the history of the Rwandan nation to the present and the positive role it must continue to play has ensured that both Rwanda and its citizens are winners. This is what continues to inform the RPF policy of inclusivity.
Note:
The author can be contacted at "frank.rusagara@yahoo.com".
Related Materials:
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The truth about the Rwandan genocide
The Truth about the Death of Maj. Gen. Fred Rwigyema
What Really Happened in Rwanda?
Rwanda: Conspiracy to Commit Genocide, Important Missing Puzzle Piece
The conquest of Rwanda (1990-1994): Recognizing the international conspiracy
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ICTR-ADAD Welcomes Acquittal of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana on Charges of Genocide and “Genocide Planning”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Common Dreams.org
November 17, 2009
CONTACT: ICTR-ADAD
Prof. Peter Erlinder, ADAD President, 31(0)70 345 92 00 (Hague)/651-271-4616 (US)/peter.erlinder@wmitchell.edu /
Me. John Philpot, 0755 352 931 (Arusha)/ 514-844-4655 (Can)/jphilpot@videotron.ca
ICTR-ADAD Welcomes Acquittal of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana on Charges of Genocide and “Genocide Planning”
Arusha, TZ - November 17 - The Bureau of ICTR-ADAD (Association des Avocats de la Defense), welcomes today's Trial Chamber Judgement acquitting the second defendant in as many days. The court ordered the immediate release of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana, who was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Rwanda in 1994.
This week's acquittals follow the Dec. 2008 acquittal on "genocide conspiracy or planning" charges of Gen. Gratien Kabiligi and three senior military officers including the alleged mastermind of the genocide, Theoneste Bagosora. The acquittal was published in February 2009.
The lack of evidence of "planning or conspiracy to commit genocide" requires a complete re-examination of the undeniable wave of violence that swept Rwanda in 1994, and the end of a 4-year war which began when Paul Kagame's RPF army invaded from Uganda. The war exploded into mass civilian violence when Rwandan President Habyarimana, and Burundi's President Ntaryamira, were assassinated in an April 1994 missile attack on Habyarimana's plane.
Defense Counsel Emmanuel Altit (France) and David Hooper (U.K.) established that the Prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to prove that Nsengimana, who was a priest and rector of a prestigious Catholic secondary school in Butare, was at the center of a group of Hutu extremists that allegedly planned targeted attacks in 1994.
The trial court found insufficient factual and legal basis for concluding that Nsengimana was guilty of any crimes. Nsengimana's attorneys announced they would seek compensation for his years of unlawful incarceration.
ICTR Judges Møse (Norway), Sergei Egorov (Russian Federation) and Arrey (Cameroon) issued the acquittal. Judges Mose and Egorov, with Judge Jai Jam Reddy (Fiji), also acquitted the senior military officers in the Military-1 case.
In February 2009, the English edition of a memoir by former ICTR Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte confirmed major elements (it was two pages, Peter!!) of a 2007 book by her former press aide, Florence Hartmann. Both books described in detail how Ms. Del Ponte was removed from her ICTR position for insisting on fulfilling her mandate to prosecute all crimes in Rwanda in 1994. According to Del Ponte and Hartmann, the ICTR Prosecutor was called to the U.S. State Department and ordered to drop investigations of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his military because of close ties between the U.S. government and Rwanda.
Hartmann was prosecuted at the ICTY for having published the book and Del Ponte has been ordered not to discuss her book in public, according to contemporary press accounts.
###
ADAD – Association Des Avocats de la Defense is the association of defence lawyers at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The association was established to represent the interests of the defence teams at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and their clients. ADAD is a voluntary, independent association of lawyers from Africa, Europe and North America. It is dedicated to upholding the principles of the legal profession and the ICTR Statute and implementing documents. The ADAD website is a source for information about the ICTR and events in Rwanda and elsewhere that may be of interest to those interested in the legal and historical issues arising from the work of the ICTR. For further information, please contact members of the ADAD Bureau.
Related Materials:
ICTR: Rwanda Genocide Ruling Overturned
Rwanda: “Genocide Planning” Again Rejected at ICTR
HISTORIC FIRST INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE COUNSEL CONFERENCE CONVENES AT THE HAGUE
Common Dreams.org
November 17, 2009
CONTACT: ICTR-ADAD
Prof. Peter Erlinder, ADAD President, 31(0)70 345 92 00 (Hague)/651-271-4616 (US)/peter.erlinder@wmitchell.edu /
Me. John Philpot, 0755 352 931 (Arusha)/ 514-844-4655 (Can)/jphilpot@videotron.ca
ICTR-ADAD Welcomes Acquittal of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana on Charges of Genocide and “Genocide Planning”
Arusha, TZ - November 17 - The Bureau of ICTR-ADAD (Association des Avocats de la Defense), welcomes today's Trial Chamber Judgement acquitting the second defendant in as many days. The court ordered the immediate release of Fr. Hormisdas Nsengimana, who was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Rwanda in 1994.
This week's acquittals follow the Dec. 2008 acquittal on "genocide conspiracy or planning" charges of Gen. Gratien Kabiligi and three senior military officers including the alleged mastermind of the genocide, Theoneste Bagosora. The acquittal was published in February 2009.
The lack of evidence of "planning or conspiracy to commit genocide" requires a complete re-examination of the undeniable wave of violence that swept Rwanda in 1994, and the end of a 4-year war which began when Paul Kagame's RPF army invaded from Uganda. The war exploded into mass civilian violence when Rwandan President Habyarimana, and Burundi's President Ntaryamira, were assassinated in an April 1994 missile attack on Habyarimana's plane.
Defense Counsel Emmanuel Altit (France) and David Hooper (U.K.) established that the Prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to prove that Nsengimana, who was a priest and rector of a prestigious Catholic secondary school in Butare, was at the center of a group of Hutu extremists that allegedly planned targeted attacks in 1994.
The trial court found insufficient factual and legal basis for concluding that Nsengimana was guilty of any crimes. Nsengimana's attorneys announced they would seek compensation for his years of unlawful incarceration.
ICTR Judges Møse (Norway), Sergei Egorov (Russian Federation) and Arrey (Cameroon) issued the acquittal. Judges Mose and Egorov, with Judge Jai Jam Reddy (Fiji), also acquitted the senior military officers in the Military-1 case.
In February 2009, the English edition of a memoir by former ICTR Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte confirmed major elements (it was two pages, Peter!!) of a 2007 book by her former press aide, Florence Hartmann. Both books described in detail how Ms. Del Ponte was removed from her ICTR position for insisting on fulfilling her mandate to prosecute all crimes in Rwanda in 1994. According to Del Ponte and Hartmann, the ICTR Prosecutor was called to the U.S. State Department and ordered to drop investigations of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his military because of close ties between the U.S. government and Rwanda.
Hartmann was prosecuted at the ICTY for having published the book and Del Ponte has been ordered not to discuss her book in public, according to contemporary press accounts.
###
ADAD – Association Des Avocats de la Defense is the association of defence lawyers at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The association was established to represent the interests of the defence teams at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and their clients. ADAD is a voluntary, independent association of lawyers from Africa, Europe and North America. It is dedicated to upholding the principles of the legal profession and the ICTR Statute and implementing documents. The ADAD website is a source for information about the ICTR and events in Rwanda and elsewhere that may be of interest to those interested in the legal and historical issues arising from the work of the ICTR. For further information, please contact members of the ADAD Bureau.
Related Materials:
ICTR: Rwanda Genocide Ruling Overturned
Rwanda: “Genocide Planning” Again Rejected at ICTR
HISTORIC FIRST INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE COUNSEL CONFERENCE CONVENES AT THE HAGUE
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