When a gorilla poacher told Rwandan conservationist and businessman Edwin Sabuhoro, "You’ve eaten, you’ve got a job that pays you and that’s why you are chasing us," he stopped to think about it.
He realised the poachers had no other source of income, and that tourists were prepared to pay US$500 just for permission to view one of the central African country’s rare mountain gorillas.
So he invested about three million Rwandan Francs (about US$5,200) in a plan to turn the poachers into gamekeepers. And that’s why many former gorilla hunters are now ardent conservationists.
Léonidas Barora is one of them.
"I was a real animal," Barora says of his 30 years as a hunter in the volcano forest in the country’s north-west. "We used to run in the bushes like animals and hide from park guards, who were always trying to arrest us. My hair grew long and I and my fellow poachers smelt so strange that people would run away."
He sold elephant ivory and his family ate wild meat.
Now, aged 64 and sitting in the Iby’Iwacu (literally: "Home-grown") Cultural Centre, a tourist site set up on the edge of the park to provide alternatives to poaching, Barora says he would be the first to arrest poachers if he saw them.
"I don’t have the desire to go back to the forest to look for something to eat. My food comes from here," he says, pointing to the centre’s facilities. "I use the money they pay me to buy food for myself and my family."
Iby’Iwacu got underway in 2007, when Sabuhoro recruited about 1,000 people from the forest perimeter into an anti-poaching association. He knew the community because a few years earlier – as a park worker for Rwanda’s Tourism and Wildlife Conservation Office – he had disguised himself as a businessman in order to act as a mediator between poachers and police.
Sabuhoro helped develop farming activities and set up handicraft and other small-scale businesses to service the tourists who visit and stay to at the centre, which is owned by the villagers.
Visitors pay more to spend more time with the villagers. They enjoy the do-it-yourself activities, such as helping dig up potatoes, fetching water, collecting firewood and cooking a meal. They can also do a "community walk", visiting a local church and talking to local elders and leaders.
There’s a replica of a royal palace, four traditional mud huts where visitors can sleep, cook and wash. A local healer is on hand to demonstrate medicinal herbs.
Ex-poachers dance, drum and shoot arrows to showcase Rwanda’s traditional way of life – for a US$20 fee. Barora is one of the performers.
"I have to admit that when we first came in I was very afraid that it would be very artificial and staged," 50-year-old Georgia Paul from the United States told me after a holiday there with her husband. "But I think that the important thing is understanding why they are doing it," she adds. "As long as you know that there’s a purpose to it, then it is not artificial – it’s much more sincere."
About 100 tourists a month visit the centre, mostly from Australia, Britain and North America, and it’s clear from my interviews that a major attraction is the idea that the people who would once have been destroying the animals are helping conserve them.
"We saw one gorilla today missing a hand because of the traps," said Georgia’s 61-year old husband, Michael. "If we can show the people a better way to live, to be happy and productive, a lot of things will change. We have to make it profitable for them – they have to be able to make a living doing this."
The income from the cultural activities goes to the village fund: 40 per cent is paid to the performers, 60 per cent is invested in health insurance, high-yielding seeds, education, and developing small-scale businesses. Sabuhoro’s travel agency, Rwanda Eco-Tours, advises the association’s managers and brings tourists to the village.
Sabuhoro’s target is to help raise the village’s current monthly income of US$1,000 to US$100,000 by 2015.
Iby’Iwacu and the 18 other ex-poacher associations involved in tourism in Rwanda have helped cut poaching by 60 per cent, according to tourism officials.
Sabuhoro also points to the strong personal impact made by this form of ecotourism. "Tourists have developed attachments with people [the villagers], which they don’t do with the gorillas," he says. "They write back to ask how everybody is doing."
More importantly, he observes, the Iby’Iwacu initiative is helping build a poaching-free generation of people living around the park and socialising with the tourists, "a generation that will not leave its children and the future generation to starve". It has not fully achieved this aim: about five per cent of Iby’Iwacu members are believed to be still poaching.
Innocent Twagirimana, the association’s president and a guide at the cultural centre, says that his father was a poacher "and I became one of the members of this group because they knew my father was one of them. Now I feel good because I get my salary at the end of the month."
At Euros 225 million a year, tourism is Rwanda’s top foreign exchange earner – not bad for a country that 15 years ago was torn apart by the last major genocide of the 20th century.
Drocella Nyirabureteri, a 47-year-old mother of three who spends about a half of her working hours at Iby’Iwacu, has a more human take on tourism revenues: "I get money to buy food when tourists buy my baskets," she says – and she compares the death of an animal in the park to the death of a baby because, she points out, it is thanks to the forest animals that her community has a tarmac road, tapwater and classrooms.
Adapted from Panos
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
FIFA World Cup live action for blind and visually impaired football fans
Blind and visually impaired fans will be able to enjoy a special live-match experience at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. Six stadiums will each have 15 seats equipped with headphones, and trained commentators will report live on the action happening down on the pitch. In addition, each of these six stadiums will have 15 seats that will be allocated to their sighted guides who will accompany them, while specially trained volunteers will provide assistance within the stadiums. This is a premier in South Africa’s sporting landscape.
The initiative, launched by the Swiss National Association for the Blind (SNAB) and the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) and financially supported by FIFA, is aimed at making the tournament accessible to all. FIFA Partner Sony is providing the necessary transmitters that will allow people to receive match-day commentary in the stadiums free of charge. The SANCB is ensuring that the tickets are fairly allocated and only a very limited number of tickets are still available for 19 matches via .www.sancb.org.za.
"Football is a universal sport and it must be accessible to everyone. We are therefore delighted to be able to make this unique live experience in the stadium also accessible to visually impaired and blind people. This project is another launching pad for South African sports and will create a legacy with services and facilities at football grounds for visually impaired and blind South Africans," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
The Institute of Advancement of Journalism was responsible for sourcing, training and coordinating the audio descriptors, while the Academy of Sound Engineering students will perform the technical audio functions that will be necessary to ensure that the audio descriptions are correctly transmitted to the visually impaired fans at the stadiums.
The stadiums offering this service are:
* Johannesburg – Soccer City Stadium: 8 matches
* Johannesburg – Ellis Park Stadium: 7 matches
* Tshwane/Pretoria – Loftus Versfeld Stadium: 6 matches
* Durban – Durban Stadium: 7 matches
* Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: 8 matches
* Cape Town – Green Point Stadium: 8 matches
The initiative, launched by the Swiss National Association for the Blind (SNAB) and the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) and financially supported by FIFA, is aimed at making the tournament accessible to all. FIFA Partner Sony is providing the necessary transmitters that will allow people to receive match-day commentary in the stadiums free of charge. The SANCB is ensuring that the tickets are fairly allocated and only a very limited number of tickets are still available for 19 matches via .www.sancb.org.za.
"Football is a universal sport and it must be accessible to everyone. We are therefore delighted to be able to make this unique live experience in the stadium also accessible to visually impaired and blind people. This project is another launching pad for South African sports and will create a legacy with services and facilities at football grounds for visually impaired and blind South Africans," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
The Institute of Advancement of Journalism was responsible for sourcing, training and coordinating the audio descriptors, while the Academy of Sound Engineering students will perform the technical audio functions that will be necessary to ensure that the audio descriptions are correctly transmitted to the visually impaired fans at the stadiums.
The stadiums offering this service are:
* Johannesburg – Soccer City Stadium: 8 matches
* Johannesburg – Ellis Park Stadium: 7 matches
* Tshwane/Pretoria – Loftus Versfeld Stadium: 6 matches
* Durban – Durban Stadium: 7 matches
* Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: 8 matches
* Cape Town – Green Point Stadium: 8 matches
Gunmen kill seven in attack on Nato convoy in Pakistan
Gunmen have attacked a Nato convoy near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, killing at least seven people and setting several vehicles on fire.
The overnight assault took place 10km (six miles) outside the city - the closest such attack yet to the capital.
Up to a dozen militants opened fire, setting 20 trucks alight and destroying millions of dollars of equipment.
Meanwhile heavy fighting has taken place in the north-west between militants and the army.
'Indiscriminate firing'
The Nato trucks were carrying supplies to alliance troops in Afghanistan.
"The attack took place around 2335 local time (1835 GMT) and we are still trying to find out how this attack has happened," said Shah Nawaz, the head of the police station in Tarnol, where the trucks were parked at a roadside depot.
Continue reading the main story Map In pictures: Nato convoy attacked
"The attackers walked into the depot and started indiscriminate firing," he told Reuters news agency.
Kalim Iman, inspector general of Islamabad police, said that police were searching for the suspected militants, who escaped in two cars and on motorbikes to a nearby forest area.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says that the attack is the most brazen to be carried out by militants in Islamabad, although since September 2008 Nato convoys have been regularly targeted in Balochistan and in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar.
The Taliban have hijacked lorries, stolen their cargo and kidnapped their drivers.
On one occasion in November 2008, militants captured Humvee armoured cars destined for Afghanistan and filmed themselves triumphantly driving off with their booty of Nato vehicles.
The latest attack is a brutal reminder to Nato commanders in Afghanistan that their lifeline is vulnerable, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad.
Different militant groups retain the ability to strike with relative ease, our correspondent adds.
The fact that this time the strike was so close to Islamabad and was carried out so audaciously will be a cause of concern to the authorities here.
It will renew anxiety in Afghanistan about trying to find alternative routes.
Militants are being flushed out of one area (by Pakistani military offensives) but are surfacing in another.
It is very clear the militants have not been fatally disrupted as the government likes to claim.
We do not yet know if this is the work of the Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud or his men, but certainly these convoys are targeted by militants who are angered by the fact that they are travelling so regularly on Pakistani roads.
In addition to those killed, police said at least four others were injured. The casualties were thought to be the drivers of the trucks and other local people.
A senior policeman responsible for the area where the attack took place has been suspended for possible dereliction of duty, officials say.
Truckers protesting against the attack briefly closed the grand trunk road linking Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar before being persuaded by police to end their protest.
Some three-quarters of the supplies needed by the 130,000 US-led international troops in Afghanistan are transported by land from the Pakistani port of Karachi.
The regular attacks have compelled Nato and American forces to look for other supply routes, principally through Central Asia.
This latest attack comes after months of relative calm around Islamabad.
In the latest fighting in the north-west of the country, the Taliban killed at least six soldiers, including an army captain, in an ambush near the town of Ghaljo in Upper Orakzai tribal region, officials say.
They say that about 12 soldiers were injured in the ambush, which took place on Tuesday.
Militants with Humvee armoured cars intended for Nato Militants posed in 2008 alongside stolen Humvee armoured cars
An official told BBC Urdu's Riffat Orakzai that a security force convoy was heading from Dabori to Ghaljo when it was ambushed from both sides along a narrow mountain track.
That led to aerial and artillery attacks on suspected militant hideouts in Upper Orakzai region which went on for several hours, the official said, killing more than 30 militants.
The army's claims could not be independently verified.
Correspondents say that the attack comes just over a week after the army said its operation in the region had been successfully completed.
While the security forces have conducted widespread searches in Lower Orakzai over the last four months, there had been no action other than aerial bombings in Upper Orakzai.
The overnight assault took place 10km (six miles) outside the city - the closest such attack yet to the capital.
Up to a dozen militants opened fire, setting 20 trucks alight and destroying millions of dollars of equipment.
Meanwhile heavy fighting has taken place in the north-west between militants and the army.
'Indiscriminate firing'
The Nato trucks were carrying supplies to alliance troops in Afghanistan.
"The attack took place around 2335 local time (1835 GMT) and we are still trying to find out how this attack has happened," said Shah Nawaz, the head of the police station in Tarnol, where the trucks were parked at a roadside depot.
Continue reading the main story Map In pictures: Nato convoy attacked
"The attackers walked into the depot and started indiscriminate firing," he told Reuters news agency.
Kalim Iman, inspector general of Islamabad police, said that police were searching for the suspected militants, who escaped in two cars and on motorbikes to a nearby forest area.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says that the attack is the most brazen to be carried out by militants in Islamabad, although since September 2008 Nato convoys have been regularly targeted in Balochistan and in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar.
The Taliban have hijacked lorries, stolen their cargo and kidnapped their drivers.
On one occasion in November 2008, militants captured Humvee armoured cars destined for Afghanistan and filmed themselves triumphantly driving off with their booty of Nato vehicles.
The latest attack is a brutal reminder to Nato commanders in Afghanistan that their lifeline is vulnerable, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad.
Different militant groups retain the ability to strike with relative ease, our correspondent adds.
The fact that this time the strike was so close to Islamabad and was carried out so audaciously will be a cause of concern to the authorities here.
It will renew anxiety in Afghanistan about trying to find alternative routes.
Militants are being flushed out of one area (by Pakistani military offensives) but are surfacing in another.
It is very clear the militants have not been fatally disrupted as the government likes to claim.
We do not yet know if this is the work of the Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud or his men, but certainly these convoys are targeted by militants who are angered by the fact that they are travelling so regularly on Pakistani roads.
In addition to those killed, police said at least four others were injured. The casualties were thought to be the drivers of the trucks and other local people.
A senior policeman responsible for the area where the attack took place has been suspended for possible dereliction of duty, officials say.
Truckers protesting against the attack briefly closed the grand trunk road linking Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar before being persuaded by police to end their protest.
Some three-quarters of the supplies needed by the 130,000 US-led international troops in Afghanistan are transported by land from the Pakistani port of Karachi.
The regular attacks have compelled Nato and American forces to look for other supply routes, principally through Central Asia.
This latest attack comes after months of relative calm around Islamabad.
In the latest fighting in the north-west of the country, the Taliban killed at least six soldiers, including an army captain, in an ambush near the town of Ghaljo in Upper Orakzai tribal region, officials say.
They say that about 12 soldiers were injured in the ambush, which took place on Tuesday.
Militants with Humvee armoured cars intended for Nato Militants posed in 2008 alongside stolen Humvee armoured cars
An official told BBC Urdu's Riffat Orakzai that a security force convoy was heading from Dabori to Ghaljo when it was ambushed from both sides along a narrow mountain track.
That led to aerial and artillery attacks on suspected militant hideouts in Upper Orakzai region which went on for several hours, the official said, killing more than 30 militants.
The army's claims could not be independently verified.
Correspondents say that the attack comes just over a week after the army said its operation in the region had been successfully completed.
While the security forces have conducted widespread searches in Lower Orakzai over the last four months, there had been no action other than aerial bombings in Upper Orakzai.
ICTR Prosecutor refers 25 cases to Rwanda
By Felly Kimenyi
KIGALI - The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Hassan Boubacar Jallow has referred to Rwanda case files of 25 Genocide suspects.
According to Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, who received the files, this is a vote of confidence that the tribunal has in the country’s judicial system.
“We accepted and promised to do what needs to be done on those cases,” Ngoga said when contacted for a comment yesterday.
After the handover of the files, which were both in electronic and hard copy form, a statement from the Tanzania-based tribunal quotes Jallow as saying that the development emphasizes the partnership between the tribunal’s prosecution and Rwanda’s national jurisdiction.
“He commended the Rwandan government for the improvements it has made to its judicial infrastructure and capacity,” reads part of the statement released yesterday.
Ngoga emphasized that the files handed over were for suspects still at large and whose indictments have not yet been issued.
“These are among the cases the Prosecutor has been investigating but due to completion calendar, he decided to pass them over to us because the ICTR may not be able to pursue them further,” Ngoga said.
The time-barred tribunal has until the end of next year to have cleared or transferred to national jurisdictions all pending cases as it will be closing shop as directed by the UN Security Council, its instituting organ.
During the meeting between the two prosecutors, it was agreed that the ICTR Prosecutor, for the second time, tables before the court an application to have some indicted or even apprehended suspects transferred to Rwanda.
The first time Jallow tabled similar requests before the tribunal, it was rejected, but it was agreed in the meeting yesterday that the judicial reforms the country has undergone have since addressed the issues on which the court had based to deny the referrals.
“We are both optimistic because despite the decisions in the past, we have attended to the issues on the basis of which the applications were rejected. This time around, we think they will be allowed,” Ngoga said.
Meanwhile, the president of IBUKA, the umbrella body of Genocide survivors’ associations, welcomed the development, saying that this demonstrates the confidence the tribunal has gained in the Rwandan judicial system.
“There have been many fugitives arrested in several countries but could not be extradited to Rwanda because the tribunal had set precedent that our judiciary could not be trusted to handle these cases,” said IBUKA president
Theodore Simburudari. He added that despite the work done by the tribunal for the past 15 years, there have been setbacks that have ‘disturbed’ the survivors, specifically citing the behaviour of some defence lawyers at the UN court, who have been blatantly denying that the Genocide took place in Rwanda.
Aldo Havugimana, a Genocide survivor from the Southern Province, said that this is another way to honour his loved ones who were killed in the Genocide.
“Having justice dispensed here in our backyard will inevitably be a relief since we will have to witness it ourselves. We trust the ICTR has done a good job, but it is always better to have the Rwandan judiciary handle these cases,” said Havugimana, who heads the Huye-based Radio Salus, in a telephone interview.
This brings the number of fugitives whose files were sent to Rwanda to 55. A few years ago, the ICTR Prosecutor handed over 30 files.
KIGALI - The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Hassan Boubacar Jallow has referred to Rwanda case files of 25 Genocide suspects.
According to Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, who received the files, this is a vote of confidence that the tribunal has in the country’s judicial system.
“We accepted and promised to do what needs to be done on those cases,” Ngoga said when contacted for a comment yesterday.
After the handover of the files, which were both in electronic and hard copy form, a statement from the Tanzania-based tribunal quotes Jallow as saying that the development emphasizes the partnership between the tribunal’s prosecution and Rwanda’s national jurisdiction.
“He commended the Rwandan government for the improvements it has made to its judicial infrastructure and capacity,” reads part of the statement released yesterday.
Ngoga emphasized that the files handed over were for suspects still at large and whose indictments have not yet been issued.
“These are among the cases the Prosecutor has been investigating but due to completion calendar, he decided to pass them over to us because the ICTR may not be able to pursue them further,” Ngoga said.
The time-barred tribunal has until the end of next year to have cleared or transferred to national jurisdictions all pending cases as it will be closing shop as directed by the UN Security Council, its instituting organ.
During the meeting between the two prosecutors, it was agreed that the ICTR Prosecutor, for the second time, tables before the court an application to have some indicted or even apprehended suspects transferred to Rwanda.
The first time Jallow tabled similar requests before the tribunal, it was rejected, but it was agreed in the meeting yesterday that the judicial reforms the country has undergone have since addressed the issues on which the court had based to deny the referrals.
“We are both optimistic because despite the decisions in the past, we have attended to the issues on the basis of which the applications were rejected. This time around, we think they will be allowed,” Ngoga said.
Meanwhile, the president of IBUKA, the umbrella body of Genocide survivors’ associations, welcomed the development, saying that this demonstrates the confidence the tribunal has gained in the Rwandan judicial system.
“There have been many fugitives arrested in several countries but could not be extradited to Rwanda because the tribunal had set precedent that our judiciary could not be trusted to handle these cases,” said IBUKA president
Theodore Simburudari. He added that despite the work done by the tribunal for the past 15 years, there have been setbacks that have ‘disturbed’ the survivors, specifically citing the behaviour of some defence lawyers at the UN court, who have been blatantly denying that the Genocide took place in Rwanda.
Aldo Havugimana, a Genocide survivor from the Southern Province, said that this is another way to honour his loved ones who were killed in the Genocide.
“Having justice dispensed here in our backyard will inevitably be a relief since we will have to witness it ourselves. We trust the ICTR has done a good job, but it is always better to have the Rwandan judiciary handle these cases,” said Havugimana, who heads the Huye-based Radio Salus, in a telephone interview.
This brings the number of fugitives whose files were sent to Rwanda to 55. A few years ago, the ICTR Prosecutor handed over 30 files.
ICTR attorney charged with contempt of court
By Edwin Musoni
KIGALI - The Trial Chamber III at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has filed a suit against defense attorney, Peter Robinson, for contempt of court by persistently refusing to examine a witness.
Robinson deliberately refused to examine a witness claiming that he was protesting the arrest of embattled controversial American attorney, Peter Erlinder, who was recently arrested in Rwanda over crimes of Genocide denial and trivialization the crime.
“The court accused him of obstruction of justice and disobeying a court order, hence initiating a contempt proceeding against him,” said the tribunal spokesman, Roland Amoussouga.
He added that the court found Robinson’s argument invalid and ordered him to proceed with the examination of the witness, but he continuously refused.
Reports say that the Robinson, a defence attorney to Genocide suspect, Joseph Nzirorera, was told by the court that Erlinder’s charges in Rwanda were not in any way connected to his work at the tribunal.
“Refusing to examine the witness created a direct and negative impact on witness’s ability to present an effective defence,” Amoussouga said.
“Therefore under rule 77(c), the chamber will initiate a contempt proceeding against him and he will appear before the trial chamber on Monday next week”.
The tribunal spokesman also pointed out that the judge ordered Robinson to procure legal representation and submit an affidavit and answer why he should not be held in contempt.
If proven guilty, according Amoussouga, Robinson may be charged with a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both.
KIGALI - The Trial Chamber III at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has filed a suit against defense attorney, Peter Robinson, for contempt of court by persistently refusing to examine a witness.
Robinson deliberately refused to examine a witness claiming that he was protesting the arrest of embattled controversial American attorney, Peter Erlinder, who was recently arrested in Rwanda over crimes of Genocide denial and trivialization the crime.
“The court accused him of obstruction of justice and disobeying a court order, hence initiating a contempt proceeding against him,” said the tribunal spokesman, Roland Amoussouga.
He added that the court found Robinson’s argument invalid and ordered him to proceed with the examination of the witness, but he continuously refused.
Reports say that the Robinson, a defence attorney to Genocide suspect, Joseph Nzirorera, was told by the court that Erlinder’s charges in Rwanda were not in any way connected to his work at the tribunal.
“Refusing to examine the witness created a direct and negative impact on witness’s ability to present an effective defence,” Amoussouga said.
“Therefore under rule 77(c), the chamber will initiate a contempt proceeding against him and he will appear before the trial chamber on Monday next week”.
The tribunal spokesman also pointed out that the judge ordered Robinson to procure legal representation and submit an affidavit and answer why he should not be held in contempt.
If proven guilty, according Amoussouga, Robinson may be charged with a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both.
Arrest Mr. Bashir, ICC tells Uganda
By Alfred Nyongesa Wandera
Posted Monday, June 7 2010 at 19:22
Kampala
President of the Assembly of State Parties to the International Criminal Court has insisted that Uganda must arrest Sudan President Omar el-Bashir when he visits the country during the AU summit due in Kampala in July.
In a statement released yesterday to media at the ongoing ICC Review Conference in Kampala, Mr Christian Wenaweser said since Uganda is a party to the Rome Statute, it has to fulfill its mandate as stipulated in the Statute.
Related Stories
* ICC review kicks off as Bashir is sworn in
* Uganda’s position on crime of aggression still guarded
* ICC closing in on Kony – Ocampo
* Talk of terrorists and freedom fighters as ICC meets
"I'm looking forward to seeing a statement from the Ugandan government that is less equivocal than what we have seen over the past few days. What's important from our perspective is Uganda is a state party to the Rome Statute so it has an obligation to fully cooperate with the provisions of that statute and we would like to see a statement to that affect,” Mr Wenaweser’s statement reads in part.
It adds: "Certainly confusion has been created, I have been in contact with senior Ugandan officials and told them it was in their interest and the interest of this conference that they would make a statement that is clearer than what they have done so far, and in particular make reference to the fact that they are a state party to the ICC."
The statement comes at a time when Uganda backtracked on an earlier decision not to invite Mr Bashir to a summit in Kampala because he is wanted by the International Criminal Court. "President Bashir of Sudan was actually invited for the AU summit scheduled to take place in Kampala from the July19 to July 29," said a statement from Uganda's ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said African heads of state have been invited, except those who were suspended from the AU for specific reasons. "The Foreign Affairs ministry statement is the current government position. The Foreign Affairs statement takes precedence over mine," presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi said.
A presidency statement on Saturday evening had said: "President Yoweri Museveni has disclosed that his Sudanese counterpart General Omar Hassan Bashir has not been invited to attend the African Union Conference" but that Sudan was free to send another representative.
Sudan on Sunday demanded an apology from Uganda and asked that the summit be moved to another venue.
Uganda has in the past dithered over the attitude to adopt towards Bashir, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region.
This has threatened to worsen the already fragile diplomatic relations between Kampala and Khartoum.
Posted Monday, June 7 2010 at 19:22
Kampala
President of the Assembly of State Parties to the International Criminal Court has insisted that Uganda must arrest Sudan President Omar el-Bashir when he visits the country during the AU summit due in Kampala in July.
In a statement released yesterday to media at the ongoing ICC Review Conference in Kampala, Mr Christian Wenaweser said since Uganda is a party to the Rome Statute, it has to fulfill its mandate as stipulated in the Statute.
Related Stories
* ICC review kicks off as Bashir is sworn in
* Uganda’s position on crime of aggression still guarded
* ICC closing in on Kony – Ocampo
* Talk of terrorists and freedom fighters as ICC meets
"I'm looking forward to seeing a statement from the Ugandan government that is less equivocal than what we have seen over the past few days. What's important from our perspective is Uganda is a state party to the Rome Statute so it has an obligation to fully cooperate with the provisions of that statute and we would like to see a statement to that affect,” Mr Wenaweser’s statement reads in part.
It adds: "Certainly confusion has been created, I have been in contact with senior Ugandan officials and told them it was in their interest and the interest of this conference that they would make a statement that is clearer than what they have done so far, and in particular make reference to the fact that they are a state party to the ICC."
The statement comes at a time when Uganda backtracked on an earlier decision not to invite Mr Bashir to a summit in Kampala because he is wanted by the International Criminal Court. "President Bashir of Sudan was actually invited for the AU summit scheduled to take place in Kampala from the July19 to July 29," said a statement from Uganda's ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said African heads of state have been invited, except those who were suspended from the AU for specific reasons. "The Foreign Affairs ministry statement is the current government position. The Foreign Affairs statement takes precedence over mine," presidential spokesman Tamale Mirundi said.
A presidency statement on Saturday evening had said: "President Yoweri Museveni has disclosed that his Sudanese counterpart General Omar Hassan Bashir has not been invited to attend the African Union Conference" but that Sudan was free to send another representative.
Sudan on Sunday demanded an apology from Uganda and asked that the summit be moved to another venue.
Uganda has in the past dithered over the attitude to adopt towards Bashir, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region.
This has threatened to worsen the already fragile diplomatic relations between Kampala and Khartoum.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
MHC: Abanyamakuru ba leta ntibakwiye kuzarangwa no kubogama mu matora
“Itangazamakuru rya Leta rifite inshingano zo gutanga uburenganzira bungana ku mitwe ya politiki, n’abakandida bigenga mu bihe by’amatora”. Byasobanuwe n’Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru, Bwana Patrice Mulama, mu mahugurwa y’abanyamakuru kuri uyu wa mbere,amahugurwa abera i Nyamdungu, mu mujyi wa Kigali.
Ni amahugurwa yitabiriwe n’abanyamakuru ba Radio Rwanda, Radio z’Abaturage, Televiziyo y’u Rwanda, ibinyamakuru bya La Nouvelle Releve n’Imvaho Nshya ndetse n’abahagarariye ORINFOR mu turere tunyuranye tw’igihugu. Ayo mahugurwa afite insanganyamatsiko igira iti: “Uruhare rw’itangazamakuru rya Leta mu gushimangira Demokarasi”.
Yateguwe n’ Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru ifatanyije n’Ikigo cy’Igihugu cy’Itangazamakuru, ORINFOR. Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru ibishingira ku mahame mpuzamahanga y’itangazamakuru, asaba abanyamakuru kutabogama muri rusange no mu gihe cy’amatora by’umwihariko.Byasobanuwe n’Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru, Bwana Patrice Mulama.Kugira ngo abanyamakuru ba Leta bamenye uko bakwiye kwitwara mu bihe by’amatora, bari mu mahugurwa yateguwe n’ Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru ifatanyije n’ikigo cy’igihugu cy’itangazamakuru, ORINFOR.
Umuyobozi Mukuru wa ORINFOR, Bwana Willy RUKUNDO, asanga itangazamakuru rya Leta, rikwiye kugira ubushobozi n’ubumenyi mu guherekeza abanyarwanda mu myiteguro y’amatora no mu gikorwa cy’itora nyirizina.
Abanyamakuru bo mu bitangazamakuru bya Leta barahugurwa na Athanase NTIYANOGEYE, impuguke mu by’itangazamakuru, umaze imyaka 25 akora mu itangazamakuru, akaba anaryigisha muri za kaminuza zo mu bihugu by’u Burundi n’u Rwanda.Inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru irateganya guhugura abanyamakuru hafi 50bo mu bitangazamakuru bya Leta,Hazahugurwa n’abo mu bitangazamakuru by’abikorera basaga 100, mu byiciro 2, guhera ku itariki 24 z’uku kwezi turimo. Byose kugira ngo bamenye uko bakora inkuru n’ibiganiro bisesenguye, ariko ku buryo butabogamye mu gihe cy’amatora.
Steven Mutangana
Abakoze Jenoside bakwiye gusabirwa bagahindura imitima - Prof. Byanafashe
Hari abantu bashishikajwe no guhakana ko nta jenoside yabayeho mu Rwanda, bene abo ngo mu masengesho aturwa Imana bakwiye gusengerwa bagahinduka kuko ntibarumva uburemere bw'icyaha bakoze. Ibi byagarutsweho na Prof Déo Byanafashe, umwarimu muri Kaminuza Nkuru y'u Rwanda, mu kiganiro ku mateka ya jenoside yagejeje ku bakozi b'uruganda rukora imiti LABOPHAR ruri mu Karere ka Huye ku wa gatandatu, hari mu muhango wo kwibuka abakozi b'urwo ruganda bazize jenoside yakorewe abatutsi muri Mata 1994.
Padiri Celestini Rwirangira mu gitambo cya misa yasabiye inzirakarengane zaguye muri Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994, bahoze bakora muri urwo ruganda rukora imiti Laboratoire Pharmaceutique du Rwanda (LABOPHAR) mu magambo ahinnye y'igifaransa.
Abakoraga muri icyo kigo bazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994 ni bane, aribo; Buhayiro Alphonse, Kamanda Justin, Muhigana Félix na Nzeyimana Vincent, biciwe hanze y'icyo kigo.
Mu rwego rwo gukomeza kubibuka no kubasubiza agaciro bambuwe, ubuyobozi bwa LABOPHAR bwafashe gahunda yo kubakorera urwibutso mu irebe ry'umuryango winjira mu mazu y'icyo kigo, hashyirwa igihangano n'amafoto y'izo nzirakarengane ndetse n'ibimenyetso biranga Jenoside.
Uhereye ibumoso ugana iburyo,
Prof. Déo Byanafashe, Mgr Philippe Rukamba,
Eveque wa Butare,na Prof. Jean-Philippe
Schreiber wa ULB bari mu nama yabaye
mu mwaka wa 2008Ing. Kambanda Rucweri Hormisdas, Umuyobozi wa LABOPHAR asobanura iby'uru rwibutso ruzabafasha, yagize ati “uru rwibutso twashyize muri iki kigo ni uruzajya rudufasha guhora twibuka, kandi tuzirikana abaguye muri Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi.” Yongeyeho kandi ko atari abantu bahuye na Jenoside gusa ahubwo ko yangije n'ibintu, yakomeje avuga ko ibintu byinshi byangirikiye muri iki kigo hakabaho gusana.
Mu kiganiro ku mateka ya Jenoside Prof. Déo Byanafashe, yagejeje ku bitabiriye uwo muhango, yavuze ko Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi ari umugambi wacuzwe n'ubutegetsi bubi bwariho, bugacengeza ingengabitekerezo yayo mu baturage, none ngo iracyahari ndetse hakaba hari n'abayihakana. Aba ngo nabo bajye bibukwa mu masengesho kugira ngo Imana ibafashe guhinduka.
Prof Byanafashe, yavuze ko mu gihugu cyabayemo Jenoside nk'u Rwanda hadakwiye kubaho guhuga kugira ngo abayiteguye batazongera, dore ko mu mvugo no mu bindi bimenyetso, bagaragaza ko bagifite uwo mugambi.
Foto: Africa Mission
MIGISHA Magnifique
Padiri Celestini Rwirangira mu gitambo cya misa yasabiye inzirakarengane zaguye muri Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994, bahoze bakora muri urwo ruganda rukora imiti Laboratoire Pharmaceutique du Rwanda (LABOPHAR) mu magambo ahinnye y'igifaransa.
Abakoraga muri icyo kigo bazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi muri Mata 1994 ni bane, aribo; Buhayiro Alphonse, Kamanda Justin, Muhigana Félix na Nzeyimana Vincent, biciwe hanze y'icyo kigo.
Mu rwego rwo gukomeza kubibuka no kubasubiza agaciro bambuwe, ubuyobozi bwa LABOPHAR bwafashe gahunda yo kubakorera urwibutso mu irebe ry'umuryango winjira mu mazu y'icyo kigo, hashyirwa igihangano n'amafoto y'izo nzirakarengane ndetse n'ibimenyetso biranga Jenoside.
Uhereye ibumoso ugana iburyo,
Prof. Déo Byanafashe, Mgr Philippe Rukamba,
Eveque wa Butare,na Prof. Jean-Philippe
Schreiber wa ULB bari mu nama yabaye
mu mwaka wa 2008Ing. Kambanda Rucweri Hormisdas, Umuyobozi wa LABOPHAR asobanura iby'uru rwibutso ruzabafasha, yagize ati “uru rwibutso twashyize muri iki kigo ni uruzajya rudufasha guhora twibuka, kandi tuzirikana abaguye muri Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi.” Yongeyeho kandi ko atari abantu bahuye na Jenoside gusa ahubwo ko yangije n'ibintu, yakomeje avuga ko ibintu byinshi byangirikiye muri iki kigo hakabaho gusana.
Mu kiganiro ku mateka ya Jenoside Prof. Déo Byanafashe, yagejeje ku bitabiriye uwo muhango, yavuze ko Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi ari umugambi wacuzwe n'ubutegetsi bubi bwariho, bugacengeza ingengabitekerezo yayo mu baturage, none ngo iracyahari ndetse hakaba hari n'abayihakana. Aba ngo nabo bajye bibukwa mu masengesho kugira ngo Imana ibafashe guhinduka.
Prof Byanafashe, yavuze ko mu gihugu cyabayemo Jenoside nk'u Rwanda hadakwiye kubaho guhuga kugira ngo abayiteguye batazongera, dore ko mu mvugo no mu bindi bimenyetso, bagaragaza ko bagifite uwo mugambi.
Foto: Africa Mission
MIGISHA Magnifique
Arnold Films-Ubu ngo ushobora kwikinira film igihe ubifitiye ubushake n'urukundo.
Mu gihe usanga abanyarwanda benshi bakunda gukina film nyamara nanone ugasanga babura aho bakinira film ,ubu Arnold Films baratangaza ko bagiye gushyiraho gahunda yo kwigisha gukina Film mu rwego rwo gutangiza ikoraniro ry'abakinnyi ba Film mu Rwanda aho bazigisha,bagahugura, ndetse bakanakina Film zitandukanye.
Mugisha Arnold yatangarije inyarwanda.com ko yagize iki gitekerezo kuko yabonaga ko mu banyarwanda hari abantu bashoboye gukina no gukora Film kuko ngo yaba umwana,umusore,umukecuru n'umusaza ashobora gukina Film bitewe na role iri muriyo film
Iyi gahunda ikaba izatangira ku mugaragaro ku itariki ya 15.06.2010 ariko kwiyandikisha byo bikaba byaramaze gutangira .Ibi rero ngo akaba yarabitekereje nyuma yo kubona ko mu Rwanda hari abakunzi benshi bo gukina Films kandi banafite ubushake ariko bakaba ntamahirwe babona yo gukina naho bakinira.
Uyu musore kandi amaze gusobonukirwa ibintu byo gukora film aho yagiye akora amahugurwa menshi akomeye ya film production ndetse na Film nyinshi yagiye akora , harimo nka editing ya Film By the Shortcurt ya Daddy de Maximo ,yakoze kuri film ya Shake hands with devil ivuga kuri genocide ya korewe abatutsi,n'izindi zitandukanye. Ubu ngo ari gukora Film Documentaires zitandukanye , mu minsi yashize kandi niho yari yaragiye gukorana na Producer Washington ,aho avuga ko yakuye ubumenyi buhanitse mu gukora Film na Videos izo arizo zose.
Ku bantu bose bashaka kuba bakwiyandikisha ngo baterefona kuri 0785365286 cyangwa bakandika kuri e-mail Arnold.films@yahoo.fr bagahabwa ibisobanuro birushijeho .
Ubwo rero abari barabuze aho bagaragariza talents zabo mu gukina film barabe babonye izo contact.
Paul Kagamé : "Nous avons besoin de partenaires, mais pas de maîtres"
Trois mois après la visite de Nicolas Sarkozy à Kigali qui avait scellé la réconciliation franco-rwandaise, Paul Kagamé rend la politesse au président français par sa présence à Nice. C'est la première fois que le président rwandais, dont le régime autoritaire met en cause la responsabilité de la France dans le génocide des Tutsis de 1994, assiste à un sommet Afrique-France.
Kigali avait rompu avec Paris en novembre 2006 pour répliquer aux accusations du juge Bruguière visant le président Kagamé dans l'attentat contre l'avion de son prédécesseur, Juvénal Habyarimana qui, le 6 avril 1994, a marqué le début du génocide.
Jadis très hostile à la France, le président Kagamé est à Nice et tient à le faire savoir. Lundi 31 mai, avant même l'ouverture du sommet, il a répondu aux questions du Monde, du Figaro et de Libération.
Alors qu'il a choisi, à l'automne dernier, de faire adhérer son pays au Commonwealth, il semble vouloir aujourd'hui se rapprocher de la France pour compenser le désamour dont il fait l'objet dans le monde anglo-saxon. Les Etats-Unis qui, ces dernières années, ne tarissaient pas d'éloge sur les réussites économiques du Rwanda et sur sa stabilité, ont changé de ton à l'approche de l'élection présidentielle prévue le 9 août. Plusieurs candidats ne parviennent pas à se faire enregistrer. La secrétaire d'Etat adjointe chargée de l'Afrique , Johnnie Carson, a récemment stigmatisé, à l'approche du scrutin "une série d'actions inquiétantes prises par le gouvernement du Rwanda, qui constituent des tentatives de restreindre la liberté d'expression".
Comment répondez-vous à ces critiques des Etats-Unis ?
Ces propos ont été grossis démesurément et font sans doute allusion à la question de l'enregistrement des candidatures. C'est un processus qui obéit à des lois rwandaises. A l'étranger, on peut avoir une interprétation différente que nous ne partageons pas. Les élections vont avoir lieu de façon libre, transparente et pacifique, même si certains veulent déstabiliser le processus par des activités terroristes. Dans le passé, nous avons géré des situations plus difficiles.
On vous reproche en particulier d'interdire la candidature de l'opposante Victoire Ingabire...
Victoire Ingabire mène des activités avec d'anciens génocidaires qui sont punies par les lois de notre pays. Des preuves existent de ses contacts avec FDLR [Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, rébellion hutu réfugiée en RDC] et de l'argent qu'elle leur envoie au Congo. Le processus de sa candidature dépend de la procédure judiciaire en cours. Nous détenons des preuves qu'elle a participé à des activités visant à nier le génocide, ce qui est aussi réprimée par la loi. Si elle veut briguer une fonction officielle, elle doit respecter la loi.
Kigali est visé par une série d'attentats à la grenade. Qui les commet ?
Principalement les FDLR. Ils entendent viser le Rwanda précisément parce que notre pays est connu pour sa sécurité et sa stabilité. Victoire Ingabire est liée à ces groupes. Je ne dis pas qu'elle a jeté elle-même des grenades mais elle en contact avec les réseaux du FDLR qui les posent.
On a l'impression que la loi réprimant le négationniste sert en réalité contre les opposants.
Pour nous, être accusé d'utiliser le génocide, c'est une insulte. Nous n'avons pas de problème avec les gens qui nous critiquent, mais avec ceux qui nient l'existence du génocide. Contre ceux-là, nous avons une loi. Pensez-vous que nous devrions les laisser faire ?
Les succès économiques du Rwanda ne devraient-ils pas aller de pair avec des progrès démocratiques ?
Au Rwanda, le développement et la démocratie progressent ensemble. Les progrès accomplis dans le domaine de l'agriculture ou de la santé le sont par le peuple, pas par le président. Il n'y a aucune contradiction entre démocratie et développement. Une fois que les gens ont à manger, la première chose à laquelle ils aspirent, c'est la démocratie.
Un sommet sur la paix dans la région des Grands Lacs devait se tenir en marge du sommet de Nice. Il a été annulé faute de la présence du président congolais, Joseph Kabila. Le regrettez-vous ?
J'aurais aimé qu'il soit là mais son absence n'affectera pas les discussions engagées entre nous.
Le président Sarkozy a-t-il un rôle à jouer dans cette région, comme il le souhaite ?
Ses propositions sont bienvenues mais ce ne sont pas les seules. J'accueillerai tout ce que le président Sarkozy pourra proposer dans le sens d'une coopération avec les Etats de la région. Nous avons besoin de partenaires – la France, l'Allemagne ou la Chine -, mais pas de maîtres. C'est ma ligne de conduite.
Vous avez récemment demandé à la France d'extrader Agathe Habyarimana, la veuve de votre prédécesseur qui est accusée d'avoir pris part au génocide de 1994. Refusez-vous qu'elle soit jugée en France ?
Ce que je souhaite c'est que justice soit faite. Si la France veut organiser un procès honnête, ce sera bien. Si elle nous transfère l'accusée, ce sera encore mieux car ses crimes ont été commis au Rwanda.
Cela signifie-t-il que vous faites davantage confiance à la justice française aujourd'hui ?
C'est vrai, il y a une meilleure compréhension, mais ce qui est fait aujourd'hui aurait du être accompli depuis des années. Ceci dit, il n'est jamais trop tard pour rendre justice.
La France elle-même a-t-elle changé d'attitude à votre égard ?
L'approche est plus pragmatique avec M. Sarkozy. La France a besoin de cette nouvelle approche basée sur le respect mutuel. Elle doit reconnaître que nous avons pris nos affaires en main.
Des entreprises françaises participent au sommet de Nice. Dans quels secteurs leur savoir-faire peut-il intéresser le Rwanda ?
Toutes les sociétés sont bienvenues aussi bien en matière d'infrastructure que d'électricité, d'agriculture, de mines ou de tourisme.
Vous invoquez la justice mais vous soutenez le président soudanais Omar Al Bachir recherché par la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) pour "crimes contre l'humanité" au Darfour.
La CPI voudrait faire croire que des atrocités ne sont commises qu'en Afrique ? C'est faux. Elle pratique une justice sélective dirigée contre les pays les moins développés.
En tant que Rwandais vous connaissez tragiquement bien le lien existant entre justice et paix. Pourquoi le refusez-vous pour le Darfour ?
Ce lien entre justice et la paix et donc la réconciliation ne peut provenir d'une Cour extérieure. Il passe par la justice traditionnelle locale du type de nos gacaca [tribunal populaire]. Avec eux, nous concilions justice et réconciliation. C'est indispensable pour que nos pays avancent.
Propos recueillis par Philippe Bernard, envoyé spécial à Nice
Kigali avait rompu avec Paris en novembre 2006 pour répliquer aux accusations du juge Bruguière visant le président Kagamé dans l'attentat contre l'avion de son prédécesseur, Juvénal Habyarimana qui, le 6 avril 1994, a marqué le début du génocide.
Jadis très hostile à la France, le président Kagamé est à Nice et tient à le faire savoir. Lundi 31 mai, avant même l'ouverture du sommet, il a répondu aux questions du Monde, du Figaro et de Libération.
Alors qu'il a choisi, à l'automne dernier, de faire adhérer son pays au Commonwealth, il semble vouloir aujourd'hui se rapprocher de la France pour compenser le désamour dont il fait l'objet dans le monde anglo-saxon. Les Etats-Unis qui, ces dernières années, ne tarissaient pas d'éloge sur les réussites économiques du Rwanda et sur sa stabilité, ont changé de ton à l'approche de l'élection présidentielle prévue le 9 août. Plusieurs candidats ne parviennent pas à se faire enregistrer. La secrétaire d'Etat adjointe chargée de l'Afrique , Johnnie Carson, a récemment stigmatisé, à l'approche du scrutin "une série d'actions inquiétantes prises par le gouvernement du Rwanda, qui constituent des tentatives de restreindre la liberté d'expression".
Comment répondez-vous à ces critiques des Etats-Unis ?
Ces propos ont été grossis démesurément et font sans doute allusion à la question de l'enregistrement des candidatures. C'est un processus qui obéit à des lois rwandaises. A l'étranger, on peut avoir une interprétation différente que nous ne partageons pas. Les élections vont avoir lieu de façon libre, transparente et pacifique, même si certains veulent déstabiliser le processus par des activités terroristes. Dans le passé, nous avons géré des situations plus difficiles.
On vous reproche en particulier d'interdire la candidature de l'opposante Victoire Ingabire...
Victoire Ingabire mène des activités avec d'anciens génocidaires qui sont punies par les lois de notre pays. Des preuves existent de ses contacts avec FDLR [Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, rébellion hutu réfugiée en RDC] et de l'argent qu'elle leur envoie au Congo. Le processus de sa candidature dépend de la procédure judiciaire en cours. Nous détenons des preuves qu'elle a participé à des activités visant à nier le génocide, ce qui est aussi réprimée par la loi. Si elle veut briguer une fonction officielle, elle doit respecter la loi.
Kigali est visé par une série d'attentats à la grenade. Qui les commet ?
Principalement les FDLR. Ils entendent viser le Rwanda précisément parce que notre pays est connu pour sa sécurité et sa stabilité. Victoire Ingabire est liée à ces groupes. Je ne dis pas qu'elle a jeté elle-même des grenades mais elle en contact avec les réseaux du FDLR qui les posent.
On a l'impression que la loi réprimant le négationniste sert en réalité contre les opposants.
Pour nous, être accusé d'utiliser le génocide, c'est une insulte. Nous n'avons pas de problème avec les gens qui nous critiquent, mais avec ceux qui nient l'existence du génocide. Contre ceux-là, nous avons une loi. Pensez-vous que nous devrions les laisser faire ?
Les succès économiques du Rwanda ne devraient-ils pas aller de pair avec des progrès démocratiques ?
Au Rwanda, le développement et la démocratie progressent ensemble. Les progrès accomplis dans le domaine de l'agriculture ou de la santé le sont par le peuple, pas par le président. Il n'y a aucune contradiction entre démocratie et développement. Une fois que les gens ont à manger, la première chose à laquelle ils aspirent, c'est la démocratie.
Un sommet sur la paix dans la région des Grands Lacs devait se tenir en marge du sommet de Nice. Il a été annulé faute de la présence du président congolais, Joseph Kabila. Le regrettez-vous ?
J'aurais aimé qu'il soit là mais son absence n'affectera pas les discussions engagées entre nous.
Le président Sarkozy a-t-il un rôle à jouer dans cette région, comme il le souhaite ?
Ses propositions sont bienvenues mais ce ne sont pas les seules. J'accueillerai tout ce que le président Sarkozy pourra proposer dans le sens d'une coopération avec les Etats de la région. Nous avons besoin de partenaires – la France, l'Allemagne ou la Chine -, mais pas de maîtres. C'est ma ligne de conduite.
Vous avez récemment demandé à la France d'extrader Agathe Habyarimana, la veuve de votre prédécesseur qui est accusée d'avoir pris part au génocide de 1994. Refusez-vous qu'elle soit jugée en France ?
Ce que je souhaite c'est que justice soit faite. Si la France veut organiser un procès honnête, ce sera bien. Si elle nous transfère l'accusée, ce sera encore mieux car ses crimes ont été commis au Rwanda.
Cela signifie-t-il que vous faites davantage confiance à la justice française aujourd'hui ?
C'est vrai, il y a une meilleure compréhension, mais ce qui est fait aujourd'hui aurait du être accompli depuis des années. Ceci dit, il n'est jamais trop tard pour rendre justice.
La France elle-même a-t-elle changé d'attitude à votre égard ?
L'approche est plus pragmatique avec M. Sarkozy. La France a besoin de cette nouvelle approche basée sur le respect mutuel. Elle doit reconnaître que nous avons pris nos affaires en main.
Des entreprises françaises participent au sommet de Nice. Dans quels secteurs leur savoir-faire peut-il intéresser le Rwanda ?
Toutes les sociétés sont bienvenues aussi bien en matière d'infrastructure que d'électricité, d'agriculture, de mines ou de tourisme.
Vous invoquez la justice mais vous soutenez le président soudanais Omar Al Bachir recherché par la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) pour "crimes contre l'humanité" au Darfour.
La CPI voudrait faire croire que des atrocités ne sont commises qu'en Afrique ? C'est faux. Elle pratique une justice sélective dirigée contre les pays les moins développés.
En tant que Rwandais vous connaissez tragiquement bien le lien existant entre justice et paix. Pourquoi le refusez-vous pour le Darfour ?
Ce lien entre justice et la paix et donc la réconciliation ne peut provenir d'une Cour extérieure. Il passe par la justice traditionnelle locale du type de nos gacaca [tribunal populaire]. Avec eux, nous concilions justice et réconciliation. C'est indispensable pour que nos pays avancent.
Propos recueillis par Philippe Bernard, envoyé spécial à Nice
UN calls for DR Congo probe into activist's death
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon has called for an independent investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo into the death of a human rights activist.
Floribert Chebeya's body was found in his car after he was called to a meeting with the national police chief, which did not take place, on Tuesday.
A senior UN investigator said the circumstances of the death "strongly suggested official responsibility".
The government has not responded to the comment, but has ordered an inquiry.
The UN has about 20,000 peacekeepers in DR Congo, helping the nation recover from years of civil war and insecurity.
Mr Chebeya, 47, headed Voice of the Voiceless and activists say he received regular threats over the last 20 years.
ANALYSIS
Floribert Chebeya was a thorn in the side of governments in DR Congo for nearly three decades. He founded Voice of the Voiceless in 1983 when Mobutu Sese Seko was ruling then-Zaire with an iron fist.
When Laurent Kabila came to power in 1997 and later his son Joseph, Mr Chebeya continued to denounce illegal arrests, arbitrary detentions and corruption.
DR Congo is set to celebrate 50 years of independence from Belgium this month. But Mr Chebeya opposed the invitation sent to Belgium's king and said it was not a time for parades, but an opportunity to discuss the social ills still facing the country.
I met him a few times last year after he was briefly arrested, beaten up and jailed by special services. He told me then that he was under surveillance and was receiving regular threats.
UN investigator Philip Alston voiced his concern about the circumstances of his death in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Earlier on Thursday, two members of Mr Chebeya's family, three UN staff and two members of Voice of the Voiceless had been granted access to his body at the main morgue in the capital, Kinshasa.
They could see only his face as the rest of his body was covered by a bed sheet that they were not allowed to remove, BBC reporter Thomas Fessy said.
Dolly Ibefo, from Voice of the Voiceless, told the BBC that there were no obvious wounds, but there was blood in his mouth, his nose and his ears.
He called for an independent autopsy.
Our reporter said that Mr Chebeya had sent a text message to his wife saying that he was at the police headquarters for the meeting, but was not heard from again.
Both the police and Voice of the Voiceless have confirmed that the meeting with head of national police, John Numbi, did not take place.
Mr Ibefo explained that Mr Chebeya had sent a letter to Mr Numbi earlier this year asking him to improve detention conditions in prisons.
He received a letter of acknowledgment last week and then a call on Tuesday asking him to attend a meeting at 1730 local time.
DR Congo suspends police chief over Chebeya death
The head of police in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been suspended following the death of a human rights activist, officials say.
Three police officers have also been arrested and the president is determined to resolve the case, the interior minister said.
Floribert Chebeya, head of the group Voix des Sans Voix, was found dead in his car near Kinshasa on Wednesday.
He had reportedly been due to meet the police chief that evening.
Both the police and Voix des Sans Voix have said the meeting never took place.
'Precaution'
The police chief, John Numbi, is seen as a close ally of President Joseph Kabila, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa.
Activists say Mr Chebeya had received regular threats over the last 20 years.
On Friday, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an independent inquiry into the incident. The government has ordered its own investigation.
In a statement read out on television, Interior Minister Adolphe Lumanu said on Sunday that President Kabila was "determined that all light be shed" on Mr Chebeya's killing.
"To allow the enquiry to be conducted smoothly, the national defence council decided as a precaution to suspend inspector general John Numbi," the statement said.
DR Congo is struggling to recover from years of civil war and insecurity. The UN has about 20,000 peacekeepers there.
Erlinder denied bail
KIGALI - The Embattled American lawyer Peter Erlinder was yesterday remanded by the Intermediate Court of Gasabo on grounds of “serious indices of culpability” in his case of genocide denial and spreading rumours that threaten state security.
Judge Maurice Mbishibishi yesterday said that court found the reasons presented by prosecution very serious and could not permit Erlinder to continue with the case outside detention and that his defence failed to convince court that his poor health is linked to his stay in detention.
“Court has decided that Carl Peter Erlinder be provisionally detained for 30 days on grounds of serious reasons that link him to the charges levelled against him by prosecution,”
“All crimes related to Genocide denial and threatening state security are serious offences punished by law with considerable sentences. Court also found no link between Erlinder’s health and his stay in detention.
He will therefore be provisionally detained for 30 days, he ruled, reminding the accused that this decision can be appealed against within five days.
Last Friday during the preliminary hearing, Erlinder had pleaded not guilty of all charges levelled against him which include denying and trivialising the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and spreading rumours that threaten state security.
Erlinder, who looked healthier than he was on Friday held his chin and momentarily closed his eyes as the judge pronounced the verdict of his bail hearing.
He had told court on Friday that he was not aware that his “obscure” publications back in America could be tantamount to genocide denial or even threaten the country’s security and that he was in ill health and needed urgent treatment.
He pleaded to the judge to conditionally release him and allow him to travel back to the United States for appropriate treatment as his health was deteriorating but prosecution insists he should be provisionally detained as investigations into his case continue.
According to Mbishibishi, Erlinder and his legal team failed to provide the necessary medical reports indicating a linkage between his detention which occurred on May 28 and his ill state.
“The medical report which Erlinder presented to court only shows that he was hospitalised twice but it does not convince court that his hospitalisation was a result of detention,” Mbishibishi said.
His defence immediately announced they would appeal which means that the case will now be heard by the High Court. Efforts to get a comment from the defence were futile as defence lawyers refused to say anything regarding the verdict.
Erlinder had on Friday told court that he was undergoing an emotional and psychological breakdown.
Last week he reportedly feigned a suicide attempt by mixing over 50 tablets in water which he supposedly drunk but doctors found that he had not taken the mixture.
The Judge told Erlinder, that his continued denial and trivialisation of the genocide is a serious offence that is punishable by the laws of the land.
It was also said that Erlinder’s explicit publications urging Rwandans to stand up against a ‘genocidaire ruler’ and his continued accusations on President Paul Kagame triggering the genocide by downing the plane of the former President Juvenal Habyarimana were baseless and tantamount to causing state insecurity.
He referred to a number of documents and books where Erlinder puts the word genocide in inverted commas or prefers to call what happened in Rwanda as “terrible massacres”, “horrific events”, “massive civilian killings”, “civilian-civilian massacres”. Emmanuel Mungwarakarama
Uganda backtracks on invite for Sudan's Omar al-Bashir
Uganda has backtracked on earlier comments that it had not invited Sudan's leader Omar al-Bashir to July's African Union conference in Kampala.
Over the weekend, Sudan demanded an apology after Uganda's president was quoted as saying he was not coming.
Since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr Bashir last year for alleged war crimes in Darfur he has had to limit his travel.
Uganda is currently hosting a summit reviewing the progress of the ICC.
Mr Bashir denies the ICC charges and the African Union has said it will not honour the warrant.
But on Saturday, Uganda's state house said President Yoweri Museveni had assured the ICC president that Sudan would be represented by government officials in July.
Following the outrage from Khartoum, however, Uganda's foreign ministry issued a statement to "clarify" that Mr Bashir had been invited to the summit of African leaders.
"The Sudanese embassy in Kampala has confirmed that they received and sent the invitation letter to Khartoum," a statement said.
Last July, Mr Bashir cancelled plans to travel to Uganda following speculation he could be arrested.
