Hungry for Truth, Peace and Justice

Rwanda: Two generals under arrest for "conspiracy"

By Arthur Ngenzi
SaveRwanda
October 12, 2009

Currently, General Wilson Gumisiriza and his colleague General Fred Ibingira are under arrest following a report of the Department of Military Intelligence (DMI) indicating that the two senior officers were part of a band of conspirators.

The alleged plot was aimed at ensuring that Dr. Charles Muligande be designated as the candidate of the RPF-Inkotanyi (instead of General Paul Kagame) for the 2010 Presidential elections. Other reliable sources indicate that it might also be charged to General Gumisiriza to have mismanaged the ongoing joint military operations (Kimia II) aimed at uprooting the FDLR from South Kivu, DRC.

The security index is currently set higher in Kigali

Although it is difficult to confirm (or disprove) the above information, the arrest of these senior officers is effective. This event shows that as the Rwandan presidential elections approach, the Kagame's regime is becoming increasingly nervous. This is quite normal for General Kagame who is known for his brutality. Indeed, in his ascension to power and his struggle to preserve it, Kagame did not only make friends.

Many senior members of his army would like to be caliphs thereby replacing the current caliph (Kagame), especially those who hail from the Ugandan clan. This small group of officers who are omnipotent in Kigali does not look kindly at certain decisions of the current President and may be waiting for the right opportunity to get rid of such a leader renowned for being brutal and paranoid. Even his Americans friends themselves would certainly be delighted to see the emergence of a Rwandan leadership that is less polarizing and therefore better able to serve their interests in the region.

Kagame has up to date been an important cog in the mechanism of geopolitics but as this is true for any wheel, upon mechanical jam, the wheel must be replaced right away. So far the only string at which holds the political survival of Kagame is just the inability of the Congolese political leaders to effectively manage (or even seem to do so as this is the case in Kigali) a country as large as the European continent.

But as stated by the widow of Ngo Dinh Diem, the leader of the Republic of Vietnam who was supported by the U.S. before being deposed and assassinated by the CIA after nearly 10 years of loyal service, "Whoever has the Americans as allies does not need enemies". As was the case in Vietnam, the interests (and secrets) of Anglo-Saxons would be better protected by a person whose legitimacy could not be questioned and who would certainly be acclaimed by his people, neighbors and the International Community for having helped Africa to get rid of one of the greatest war criminal.

War criminal: a label that sticks to the skin

As it is usually said here in Europe, once your name is in the computer it is over for you. The reputation of Kagame as a war criminal is already well established. Even when he appears on CNN or other western media, nobody forgets to recall that the man is an autocrat whose record of service would fade a Mugabe. Obviously, the only excuse that he finds is that that he has apparently developed the country compared to other countries in the region. Hover, on should not make any mistake because this political marketing will soon reach its limits. The latest United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report shows that in terms of human development, Rwanda remains one of the worst countries in the world. Indeed, the former senior UN official in Cambodia has finally shown that behind the facade that Rwanda shows, there is a hidden disproportionate suffering afflicting the Rwandan population. Westerners may still say what Kagame wants to hear (i.e. keep secret all these black files) but when he will no longer be president, he will surely suffer the same fate as Pinochet.

A way out: the Ugandan clan versus Paul and/or Ivan Kagame

Whatever Kagame’s political fate would be, it is definitely linked to the above mentioned military officers that hail from Ugandan. These powerful officers all come from Uganda (as Kagame) and have helped him seize power in Rwanda. As this is the case to all regimes from military coups, members of the original junta represent personalities that are potentially harmful to the sitting head of state. Indeed, not only the members of such a junta have the material means but also and especially because psychologically they do not view Kagame as the head of state but as a mere member of the team who was fortunate to be chosen and accepted by them. In their views, the president owes them everything and they behave as such. The proof is in the aborted attempt to overtrow Kagame by a former military chief of staff, Kayumba Nyamwasa. Contrary to his habit, Kagame could not physically get rid of this influential man so loved by his soldiers (and by the English apparently) and decided to exile him as the current Rwandan Ambassador in India.

In the near future, it will be either Kagame or the Ugandan clan. Kagame already aware of how powerful his comrades are, gradually sets them aside and replace them with a new guard already well indoctrinated and very docile. The recent news of the military training of his eldest son, Ivan Kagame, is the most significant sign of such a strategy. Kagame knows that the clock is ticking and waits impatiently for her son to return home from West Point Military Academy to help him with the housework.

Unfortunately, the Ugandan clan members are not stupid and probably will certainly not wait until that moment. Even the most faithful officers like James Kabarebe, the current military chief of staff, begin having wings. In particular, the latter who has never set foot in school would not be pleased to see Ivan Kagame back home brandishing a diploma from the prestigious WestPoint Military Academy. These once faithful officers also do not have time to lose because they know Kagame's nature, known to be even more paranoid and brutal than the inimitable Idi Amin.

Currently, and probably for a while, the greatest threat to the Kigali regime lies in its military ranks and more specifically at the top of the army. The vision and bad governance practices, Paul Kagame has managed to create mortal enemies within the powerful Rwanda Defense Force. Such enemies are still waiting for the right moment to cut Kagame’s throat ….with probably the support from his American friends.

Note:
This article has been translated from its French original by Mamadou Kouyate. Only the French version shall prevail.

Related Materials:
Ivan Cyomoro Kagame (Kagame's son) on to military training in the USA

Fred Ibingira, another notorious RPF killer

Paul Kagame has escaped a military coup!

Who's doing well in Africa? Look south

What they don’t tell you about Rwanda

What Really Happened in Rwanda?

posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 2:04 PM