President Mwanawasa has taken a swipe at the Oasis Forum for teaming up with people facing corruption charges, to undermine his Government over the constitutional making process.
The President said this in Mazabuka, Southern Province, Tuesday on arrival at Nakambala football ground.
He said he was disappointed to see photographs of Oasis leaders hand in hand with people accused of plundering the economy.
Mr. Mwanawasa who was addressing Mazabuka residents, also accused the Oasis Forum of failing to support his crusade against corruption.
He charged that the Oasis Forum has never condemned corrupt people publicly but were quick in criticising Government.
Mr. Mwanasawa accused the Oasis Forum of having a personal hatred against him.
He wondered why the Forum invited Former President Frederick Chiluba to be their consultant and advisor on matters relating to the Constitution when he is accused of having stolen colossal sums of money.
The President said the country is dogged with so many problems which need support from all stakeholders.
The President who described those criticising his administration as being unpatriotic, said Government will not change its position on the constitutional making process.
He complained that some members of the opposition and Civil Society were fond of changing goal posts each time Government accomodated their concerns.
The President observed that even if people criticising his Government take to the streets to protest against the adoption of the constitution through the National constitutional Conference (NCC), Government will not reverse its decision.
He regretted that the constitution making process has taken four years because of unreasonable opposition to the process.
The President advised Zambians not to follow what the Oasis Forum was doing because doing so would make the country unstable.
The President said the country has enjoyed peace and only requires good leadership to chart the way forward.
He advised Zambians not to make leadership experiments because they may end up regretting.
Mr. Mwanasawa said the argument advanced by the Oasis forum that the NCC Chairperson and his vice should be appointed by members is unrealistic and Government would not succumb to their demands.
He said the NCC was instituted to adopt the republican constitution but regretted that the Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has withdrawn on grounds that they are just escorting the MMD.
Mr. Mwanawasa said he was disappointed with the NGOCC and his administration will ensure women are given more rights.
The President urged NGOCC to rescind its decision and re-join the NCC and support Government on matters relating to women rights.
And MMD Southern Province Chairman, Daniel Munkombwe, informed the President that the ruling party has been overwhelmed by the increased number of opposition United Party for National Development (UNDP) party officials resigning to join the party.
The president is in Mazabuka to launch the Zambia Sugar expansion programme.
ZNBC
Iwe chuchu, what’s your problem? You have Katele Kalumba in your alliance. Where are your morals? And who throw stones when you live in a glass house?
Ba Munkombwe….all you can tell the boss is the same old story of defections ?? Talk about having old horses in ones stable !!!
I support LPM in many things but having the Chiengi Wizard involved in his administration and then castigating others of cavorting with corruption suspects is plain hypocrisy!!
My brother Pragfimofimo wherever you are, plz accept my extended hand as a sign of friendship and let’s debate diligently as we used to do minus insults or being at each other throat. A debate is wealth called when there are pipo with different opinions rather than one person saying “cho†without a respond of “chise†I need you to come out from hidings and absolute the “cho-chise†proclivity on LT. On my side I have delinked Lifa from my gang for he showed an uncalled off behaviour of almost like a rabid dog banking at his master and all I would do is to use a double sharpen spear and pierce it right into the month and lift it above my head and throw it in Zambezi river with a spear in the month. Pragfimofimo, I guess you have taken my words of brotherhood. Meanwhile am in intensive prayers to bring back our lost brother Lifa.
COMING TO THE TOPIC
This is not news anymore. Anyway ba Chuchu should just declare his interest ati balefwaya ukuba ba chairman ba NCC rather than operating pa remote control.
#1. Ba Levy is also doing the same thing. Katele and that other chap, the chayiman of MMD have also looted the govt. He is man of short memory. There is no better evil.
Leave them they are fools without a winning strategy. Let them stay away and history will have them in the archives. From blogs we will fill up the gap.
Don’t Withdraw From NCC, Oasis Urged
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
NEWS
19 September 2007
Posted to the web 19 September 2007
Ndola
The Germany ambassador to Zambia, Ireen Hinrichsen, has appealed to the Oasis Forum to return to the National Constitution Conference (NCC), saying withdrawing was undemocratic.
Dr Hinrichsen said in a media briefing at the Solwezi Royal Hotel in North-Western Province on Monday night that the Oasis Forum should give the NCC process a chance. “Withdrawing from the beginning is not right. I would like them to stay inside, give NCC a chance. They are being undemocratic by withdrawing from NCC. It’s always good to give it a try,” she said.
While conceding that the Constitution-making process was solely a Zambian affair, she said by pulling out of the NCC, the Oasis Forum would not be exhibiting the fighting spirit they were known for. Dr Hinrichsen said the civil society would only contribute effectively to the Constitution-making process from inside the NCC, and could pull out if the process was not going right. Meanwhile, Germany has said it would review its strategy after the expiry of the North-Western Province (NWP) water supply project in Kasempa, Mufumbwe and Kabompo next year. The ambassador said after a tour of the projects in Kasempa that while Germany would not walk away, her government has spent K165 billion in the water sector between 2004-2007, said.
And after a request by North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Richard Salivaji, Dr Hinrichsen said her government would consider extending the project to Mwiiya . Applauding the success of the three-year project, Mr Salivaji thanked the German government for providing support to North-Western Province including helping the people add value to the honey industry. The ambassador said that now that the mines were making profits, the Government should strike a compromise with the mining companies by asking them to invest their surplus in infrastructure. And NWP rural water supply project manager, Jim Anscombe, said in Kasempa during the tour that the project was intended to benefit 350 rural communities.
Mr Anscombe said the government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Germany Development Bank and the Government of the Republic of Zambia would finance the projet. People will be served with an ample supply of clean, safe water.
Levy, it is US who have employed you. In short, we Zambians should be respected. It pity that FTJ balimupingula akale ba Chuchu.
“The Germany ambassador to Zambia, Ireen Hinrichsen” These ambassadors go over there boundaries. What has german got to do with the constitutional making process? Has anyone ever heard an African ambassador telling europeans what to do about there national issues? I have not heard even one trying to get involved in domestic politics. Ambassador Ireen please stay away, the constitution is about Zambia and Zambians only. Just because your country helps us in one way or another does not give you the right to try to influence domestic politics. If for example the Zambian commissioner in the UK started telling UK nationals to join the euro and drop the pound, chances are the man would be asked to leave the UK. But in African politics EU ambassadors get themselves too involved in domestic politics and nothing happens to them. That is why westerners will never respect Africans unless we start to respect ourselves first.
Ba President, people are dying of hunger. Your term of office is soon coming to an end. Your constitution will not bring food on the table. Please Mr President twapapata create jobs.Atleast FTJ did something, he created ututemba and gave out amayanda.You have not stolen and your government is not corrupt,meaning your government has saved up enough resources to create employment.Lets talk about developmental projects and not ‘UNHOLY ALLIANCES’. Only God is holy.
Gentlmen who is the Director of Public Prosecution? The man is fond of entering nolle prosequi now its Mwalas case. What its wrong with the prosecution can our courts prove cases beyonded doubt. Life cannot be lost just like killing a chicken.
Well it is sad that Mr. President has already found FTJ guilty before the law and any way like some one has already said what about Katele and many others who are still facing charges like FTJ please Mr. President be reasonable and remember you are president of Zambia and not only those that support you. Stubborness will not build Zed at all. Let us develop ZED for all Zambians.
Are we going to have a new constitution every time we have a new president Com’on this is taking up so much money that can be used for other developments.
Mvunga
Mwanakatwe
Mungomba
????????
Man with charms causes stir
A man suspected of having charms during a court session caused a stir at the High Court.
This was in the case of Lusaka Business woman Beatrice Mwala, accused of having killed the lover of her husband.
The man was found in possession of objects suspected to have been used to help Mwala be released.
This was after one of the C5 police officers suspected that one of the men was carrying charms in his bag.
The police officers apprehended the man, searched the bag he was carrying and discovered the suspected witchcraft objects.
He was then ordered to display the contents of the bag and notable among the itmes was a bottle written ‘Court.’
The man who was taken to the high court cells denied having, anything to do with Mwala’s case but later admitted, he was hired to help in her re-leased.
The witchdoctor and Mwala where later driven out of the court premises in separate police vehicles.
Mwala’s freedom short-lived
Police in Lusaka have re-arrested a Lusaka Business woman who is alleged to have murdered her husband’s lover after she was released from jail, Wednesday.
Beatrice Mwala, 40, and her co-accused Charles Mwanza, Mary Moyo and Jungwe Majula were freed, after the state entered a nolle prosequi.
This is in a case where the Four are accused of the murder of, Monica Phiri in April this year.
In the second count, Mwala and her co-accused are charged with attempt to murder Ben Banda.
Police Service Spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso told ZNBC, that Mwala together with her co-accused have been re-arrested with the same charges.
Mr. Kapeso said the idea of the state to enter a nolle prosequi was to facilitate the arrest of another suspect who was apprehended in Luapula Province in connection with the murder of Monica Phiri.
He said all the accused will appear in court, Thursday.
The State made an application to discontinue Ms. Mwala case by way of a nolle prosequi following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution.
This was when the matter came up for trial before High Court Judge, Japhet Banda.
The court also heard that Lawyers representing Ms. Mwala withdrew from handling her case.
That woman from Germany should not get emotional with our domestic issues. Hitler did whatever he did, no diplomat from any country advised him or how to lead.
It seem s LPM has already passed judgement on FTJ. if he hasn’t stolen ‘our’ money, where is the money going?. we dont see any development at all, except white people ‘owning’ our mines and calling us undemocratic.
ba pelete dont waste space on this blog with duplicates. We need constructive debate to flow on this web site and not duplicated work.
#5 IS VETERAN THE IMPOSTER.
This is day light strangulation of democracy. It is dirty politics, unacceptable and wrong. If they are true democrats Why practice choking politics? In whose interest is all this nonsense?
Prof Chirwa donates K15m to MMD
By Bivan Saluseki: Wednesday September 19, 2007 [21:00]
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AUTOMOTIVE aerospace expert Professor Clive Chirwa has donated K15 million to MMD for the forthcoming parliamentary by-election in Nchanga and two Lusaka ward by-elections.
Katuba MMD member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa confirmed the donation by Prof Chirwa who recently joined the MMD.
According to a breakdown of Prof Chirwa’s donation, K5 million will be given to Charles Chimumbwa for the by-election in Nchanga and K2.5 million to former PF John Howard councillor, Musonda Mwaume, who has since joined the MMD.
The other K2.5 million will be given to Susan Nakazwe and K5 million to Katuba constituency.Both are expected to recontest their seats on the ruling MMD ticket.
And Mwaume said he had resigned from PF to join MMD together with former mayor Nakazwe.
“We were expelled from the party without justifiable cause and on malicious grounds without following the rules of natural justice,” he said.
Mwaume said PF vice-president Dr Guy Scott charged them with offences related to receiving President Hu Jintao of China in contravention of the PF’s code of conduct.
He said PF was discriminatory in charging both of them as eight other PF councillors were at the airport to receive President Hu and were not charged.
Chuchu Muwelewele uleke ukusata sata. Pls think be4 u open ur mouth, u are most unholy person this side of the equator.
Shame to this prof Chirwa he already lost his campaign instead of doanting money to a hospital or UNZA which saw him what he is he is giving money to by election campaign shame shame.
You see I told you last time this prof cannot be trusted with our public funds. So BY was right
THERE is a lot of frustration among auditors when reports of misappropriation of funds are not acted upon, director of ministerial audits in the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Henry Zulu has said. And Zulu said there was need for the OAG to have prosecution powers if the rampant abuse of public funds was to be reduced.Presenting a paper on the role of the Auditor General in public finance at the ongoing media economic reporting workshop on Tuesday, Zulu said there was too much demoralisation when action was not taken on the audit reports.”We really get frustrated when no action is taken about our reports and there is too much demoralisation because every year we investigate and compile comprehensive data, which brings out same results but action is not taken but we are happy with the current composition of the Public Accounts Committee and we hope their recommendations will be acted upon,” Zulu said.He explained that the OAG was completely independent in as far as planing and exec
ution of general operations was concerned
levy z ryt ,how can the oasis forum even imagine to consult FTJ on the Constitution we r tryn to do away with wen the latter designed that same stupid document.
levy z ryt ,how can the oasis forum even imagine to consult FTJ on the Constitution we r tryn to do away with wen the latter designed that same stupid document.
Max’s lukewarm welcome angers minister
IN a new twist, Energy Water and Development Deputy Minister, Gaston Sichilima has come out to criticise Zambians for not having welcomed 2007 Zambian Big Brother envoy, Maxwell Chongo despite his efforts to promote Zambia to the outside world.
Mr Sichilima who yesterday telephoned Times Entertainment to register his displeasure at how Max who enjoyed a good friendship with South African Lerato, received a cold shoulder from Zambian fans who could not even care to welcome him.
He said Max did his best even to the extent of singing Zambian songs and also explaining Zambia’s lifestyle to his housemates and the rest of the world.
The deputy minister also said business houses had also been disappointing for not having taken advantage of Max’s arrival to get involved on his arrival and advertise the products and services because the former Big Brother housemate is a celebrity in her own right.
He singled out Zesco where Max worked before he went into the Big Brother House, MTN and Celtel who benefited from Short Messages Service (SMSs) that were being sent for the reality show as companies that should have done something.
Although Max could have had his shortfalls in the house, he ended up being evicted from the house because Zambia is the current winner of the first Big Brother if only Cherise Makubale could be remembered for her outstanding African behaviour in the house.
“You know when you are a winner no one will like you and that it is why Africa ganged up and voted our Max out,†he said.
He said what Zambians should now think of is how to help Max advance in life because he has talents that all people saw when he succeeded in several tasks that Big Brother gave to the housemates
And September 18 will go down in history as the day that Max answered hard-hitting questions from the Zambian media during a Press briefing at the Holiday Inn in Lusaka following the eviction that some felt was premature.
Many people have argued that the Zambian housemate had not taken his eviction, as he should have.
Several housemates had been through the nomination but none had taken so much offence as did Lerato and Max. Others however feel that Max was not strategic in exercising his authority as head of house.
They believe that had he saved Meryl, when she was up for eviction against Offuneka and Maureen, the latter would have left the show and Meryl’s vote would have swayed the votes away from him.
At some point, Max congregated at the garden with his closest friend and made the nominations their focal point of discussion and he was quoted saying “This means war!
After this nominations, the noticeable rift between the two camps who were nick-named the “Untouchables’ (Max, Lerato, Bertha and Kwaku) and the “Big Five†Tatiana, Richard, Code, Maureen and Offuneka) became more evident and the animosity between the two could be felt.
The “ Untouchables†received many negative comments from some viewers.
Their attitude towards their nomination was disappointing.
Many messages that braced the screens criticised Max for taking the nominations personal disregarding the fact that it was the nature of the game to nominate and be nominated.
But at the Press briefing, Max acknowledged this flaw in his game plan and the applause that came from the guests was to commend him for realising his mistake and at least being mature enough to publicly declare that his game was not devout of fault.
Nevertheless, he maintained that his decision to save the Nigerian housemate was proof of his good leadership qualities and objectivity.
He based it solely on the fact that Maureen was very close to Code who was his friend, in-turn, Kweku was close to Meryl, so he had to take a neutral stance as not to show favouritism.
Referring to an article that ran in one of the newspapers, that his girlfriend wanted nothing to do with him, Max argued that he had not yet spoken to her and that she had lost her phone so he could not reach her.
He said that she had supported him entirely before he entered the house and that he still had hope that they could work something out.
The conversation finally drifted to the South African housemate Lerato and the nature of his relationship with her.
Max maintained that Lerato was his comfort zone and that their relationship was purely platonic. With his hands joined on the table, he said his heart still belongs to Suli (his girlfriend).
[Times of Zambia]
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Ba Easy have you seen the calibre of our Ministers in C& P #24? what are your views over this?
UK gives Zambia £25m for budget support
By NANCY MWAPE
THE United Kingdom has released a total of £25 million pounds towards Zambia’s budget support.
This is under the Department for International Development (DFID).
The DFID’s total envelop for Zambia this year is £40 million pounds.
The large amount is for budget support while the remaining is supposed to be used on other national projects.
In June this year, President Mwanawasa and the British government signed a 10-year agreement for DFID to provide at least £40 million pounds each year to assist Zambia.
DFID head for Zambia, Joy Hutcheon, said her country enjoyed a warm relationship with Zambia and that through the high commission was committed to supporting the nation.
She said this in Lusaka during a press lunch at the commission.
Ms Hutcheon said the British government had established long-term partnership with the Zambian government to help in poverty reduction programmes.
Ms Hutcheon said Zambia’s cooperating partners had established areas of support in the FNDP.
She said while 60 per cent of DFID funding went into budget support, 40 per cent was for programmes such as health, HIV/AIDS, macro-economics issues and social protection.
Ms Hutcheon also pointed out that DFID was interested in supporting Government’s stance against corruption through support to the Task force on Corruption, Anti-corruption Commission.
I think mr lpm has a big problem.He is wrongly accusing the oasis forum for associating with ftj and other former MMD leaders.But the truth of the matter is that when constitution matters arises,there involve every citizen.Despite levy, kunda’s comments on ftj,i think ftj and any former leader is entitiled to their opinion and to contribute to the nation if there can.
Its a shame for levy to condem ftj because the case is still in court.Other wise will think levy is an interested part and is up to no good.
Fellow bloggers kindly ignore any paste and copy that VETERAN the imposter is posting using my name.I don`t believe in such lazziness.I would rather read an article,grind and summarise the data and then offer my own opinion.
LPM is sick men
#16 VETERAN.Is it 15 million Kwacha or Dollars?
#24 Pelete that is your minister i dont know him I have not heard about him. Everyone want to be heard how can energy minister talk about big brother as though he nothing to do. Most household have not electricity or experience load shedding yet a minister is talking about big brother even phonig the media. This is shameful. I have never heard any statement about energy in the country. Even vera has bypassed this man by standard of leadership. She knows that in Canada there is no global warming so pipo can come to zambia to experience global warming- in her own words she means tourism which a good idea. Pelete its very interesting to see you bring such stories. Where did you get this one?
Hello everybody, just wanted to express my sincere gratitude to those who responded to my request. As a result, I am seriously talking to one of the guys that responded. And I am also making plans to visit Zambia early next year so we can meet in person. Thank you once again and may God bless y’all.
#32 thought you were gone for good.
LEVY GETS TOUGH
President Levy Mwanawasa says he will boycott the European Union-Africa summit in Portugal if Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe is not allowed to attend.
Mr. Mwanawasa who is also SADC Chairman said the purpose of the summit will be defeated if Mr. Mugabe is barred from attending the meeting scheduled for December in Lisbon.
He has suggested that leaders who have anything against Mr. Mugabe should utilize the summit to dialogue and iron out their differences.
The Zambian leader was speaking to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport shortly before departure for New York where he is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the BBC, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said Mr. Mugabe’s presence at the conference will divert attention from important issues that need to be resolved.
The EU has placed a travel ban on Mr. Mugabe for his alleged abuse of Zimbabweans and urged EU leaders to sustain the ban.
#31 Easy
Easy, that is the caliber of ministers we have who are sacred of talking about national issues once not given green light from chuchu. Ask VJ, Mundia Sikatana, and Nevers Mumba who were flushed red cards right on their noses for doing right things in their own way. You wait, George Kunda will follow suite for castigating The Post and Fred Mmembe where Temba Chito and Chuchu have shares. Shuwa mwandi, how would ba presdo ask Kunda to apologize to Mmembe? In what capacity?. Any way, that’s why ba minister nomba balela ifikopo…They are scared to talk on national issues nomba icashalakofye kulandafye pali “Big Brotherâ€. WHO CARES?
Easy Sheli is now on DVD, Kuti wayigeta ku Kabulo, Northmead, Ndola (main masala), Chingola na L/stone. You can contact Kuku [email protected] for more details.
What a joke.Very hypocritical.Just becoz Gabby told you off, now you don’t even know what to think,say or how to act.This is the most inconsistent President we have ever had.Stick to your guns LPM.A wrong is a wrong.How are you going to bring peace in Zim if you keep supporting this out-dated tyrant?
What any inconsistent presdo we have zedians. Just becoz Bob told u off, u want to play his blue eyed boy to win his friendships, his is not interested. Chuchu be ur own man, men.
Chuchu u injured Bob by meeting the West secretly (his first class enemies) and talk of how to cast him of zim.
#36 KCC dont propagate, there is no war in Zimbabwe only a blind will not want to accept what is on stake over Zimbabwe.
Former UNZA Students Condemn Oasis Forum
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
NEWS
20 September 2007
Posted to the web 20 September 2007
Ndola
THE Oasis Forum has come under further criticism for its decision to invite former Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, to the recently held meeting to discuss participation in the Constitution-making process.
Former University of Zambia (UNZA) students, Lameck Lungu and Brian Bwalya said in a joint statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the invitation of Dr Chiluba had shown that the Oasis Forum’s continued opposition to the Government roadmap was not driven by a genuine motive to serve the nation.
The duo said the invitation of Dr Chiluba was a betrayal of the people of Zambia because the former president was the main architect of the flawed Constitution that Zambia had today.
The statement says Dr Chiluba refused to include 75 per cent of the recommendations made by the Mwanakatwe Constitution Review Commission (CRC) and that only went to show that he refused to accept the people’s will.
They questioned how Dr Chiluba could be trusted to make positive contributions regarding the Constitution-making process with his track record of having attempted to amend the Constitution for selfish reasons.
The former university students said they considered the invitation of Dr Chiluba by the Oasis Forum as confirmation that the alliance’s masters were not the people of Zambia but some other hidden master.
Mr Lungu and Mr Bwalya also expressed disappointment at the way the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) had continued changing its positions over the Constitution-making process.
The Government had given in to accommodate the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) but they did not want to accommodate the Government’s stand points even when it gave progressive suggestions.
“This shows that the NGOs want to confuse the Zambian people and use them to advance their selfish motives.
“As former UNZA students, we would like to appeal to our fellow intellectuals not to be used by the Oasis Forum when UNZA and the Copperbelt University (CBU) are facing problems,” they said.
They said the attitude of some NGOs had shown that even their decision to stay away from the talks was good riddance because they would have simply held back the process if they joined the National Constitution Confrence (NCC).
The duo advised students to concentrate on their studies and later contribute to Zambia’s development instead of being misled by members of the Oasis Forum whose aim was to satisfy their own selfish interests.
In a related development, a concerned citizen has said the refusal by some NGOs to participate in the NCC is not surprising because these groups have always wanted the exercise to fail since the Government embarked on it.
Richard Chella, who has been following the issue of the Constitution said there was no need to worry about those who opted to boycott the NCC because they did take part in the preliminary stages when they were invited.
He said those who decided not to attend the NCC should realise that President Mwanawasa was a man of his words who promised to change the face of Zambia and was doing exactly that for the good of the country.
RWANDA: HOW THE GENOCIDE HAPPENED
Between April and June 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days.
Most of the dead were Tutsis – and most of those who perpetrated the violence were Hutus.
Even for a country with such a turbulent history as Rwanda, the scale and speed of the slaughter left its people reeling.
The genocide was sparked by the death of the Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, when his plane was shot down above Kigali airport on 6 April 1994.
A recent French official report blamed current Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.
The report – extracts of which appeared in the daily, Le Monde – said French police had concluded that Mr Kagame gave direct orders for the rocket attack.
Rwanda has rejected the report, describing it as a “fantasy”.
Within hours of the attack, a campaign of violence spread from the capital throughout the country, and did not subside until three months later.
But the death of the president was by no means the only cause of Africa’s largest genocide in modern times.
History of violence
Ethnic tension in Rwanda is nothing new. There have been always been disagreements between the majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, but the animosity between them has grown substantially since the colonial period.
The two ethnic groups are actually very similar – they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas and follow the same traditions.
But when the Belgian colonists arrived in 1916, they saw the two groups as distinct entities, and even produced identity cards classifying people according to their ethnicity.
1994: RWANDA’S GENOCIDE
April: Rwandan president Habyarimana killed in plane explosion
April -July: An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed
July: Tutsi-led rebel movement RPF captures Rwanda’s capital Kigali
July: Two million Hutus flee to Zaire, now the DRC
The Belgians considered the Tutsis as superior to the Hutus. Not surprisingly, the Tutsis welcomed this idea, and for the next 20 years they enjoyed better jobs and educational opportunities than their neighbours.
Resentment among the Hutus gradually built up, culminating in a series of riots in 1959. More than 20,000 Tutsis were killed, and many more fled to the neighbouring countries of Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.
When Belgium relinquished power and granted Rwanda independence in 1962, the Hutus took their place. Over subsequent decades, the Tutsis were portrayed as the scapegoats for every crisis.
Building up to genocide
This was still the case in the years before the genocide. The economic situation worsened and the incumbent president, Juvenal Habyarimana, began losing popularity.
At the same time, Tutsi refugees in Uganda – supported by some moderate Hutus – were forming the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Their aim was to overthrow Habyarimana and secure their right to return to their homeland.
Habyarimana chose to exploit this threat as a way to bring dissident Hutus back to his side, and Tutsis inside Rwanda were accused of being RPF collaborators.
In August 1993, after several attacks and months of negotiation, a peace accord was signed between Habyarimana and the RPF, but it did little to stop the continued unrest.
When Habyarimana’s plane was shot down at the beginning of April 1994, it was the final nail in the coffin.
Exactly who killed the president – and with him the president of Burundi and many chief members of staff – has not been established.
Whoever was behind the killing its effect was both instantaneous and catastrophic.
Mass murder
In Kigali, the presidential guard immediately initiated a campaign of retribution. Leaders of the political opposition were murdered, and almost immediately, the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.
Within hours, recruits were dispatched all over the country to carry out a wave of slaughter.
The early organisers included military officials, politicians and businessmen, but soon many others joined in the mayhem.
Encouraged by the presidential guard and radio propaganda, an unofficial militia group called the Interahamwe (meaning those who attack together) was mobilised. At its peak, this group was 30,000-strong.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part. In some cases, Hutu civilians were forced to murder their Tutsi neighbours by military personnel.
Participants were often given incentives, such as money or food, and some were even told they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
On the ground at least, the Rwandans were largely left alone by the international community. UN troops withdrew after the murder of 10 soldiers.
The day after Habyarimana’s death, the RPF renewed their assault on government forces, and numerous attempts by the UN to negotiate a ceasefire came to nothing.
Aftermath
Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire.
As soon as it became apparent that the RPF was victorious, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). These refugees include many who have since been implicated in the massacres.
Back in Rwanda, UN troops and aid workers then arrived to help maintain order and restore basic services.
On 19 July a new multi-ethnic government was formed, promising all refugees a safe return to Rwanda.
Pasteur Bizimungu, a Hutu, was inaugurated as president, while the majority of cabinet posts were assigned to RPF members.
But although the massacres are over, the legacy of the genocide continues, and the search for justice has been a long and arduous one.
About 500 people have been sentenced to death, and another 100,000 are still in prison.
But some of the ringleaders have managed to evade capture, and many who lost their loved ones are still waiting for justice.
‘TAKEN OVER BY SATAN’
In 1994 in the village of Nyarubuye, Rwanda, the Hutu majority went on a killing spree in the local church, slaughtering neighbours and friends.
Gitera Rwamuhuzi is one of those who took part in the genocide. This is his story.
Before the genocide, life was normal. For us, as long as there was a harvest good enough to save us from buying food from the market, I would say that we were happy.
I heard that Tutsis were regarded as superior towards Hutus. For example a Hutu could only change his social status by serving in a Tutsi’s household. The rest were low-class Hutus.
Some people did not even find someone to kill because there were more killers than victims
Because the RPF were blamed for the death of President Habyarimana, we thought that they had started with the high-ranking officials and that they were going to end up doing the same to us ordinary people.
We thought that if they had managed to kill the head of state, how were ordinary people supposed to survive?
On the morning of 15 April 1994, each one of us woke up knowing what to do and where to go because we had made a plan the previous night. In the morning we woke up and started walking towards the church.
No life
After selecting the people who could use guns and grenades, they armed them and said we should surround the church.
They said one group would go south and another group would go to the north. There were so many of us we were treading on each others’ heels.
People who had grenades detonated them. The Tutsis started screaming for help.
As they were screaming, those who had guns started to shoot inside.
They screamed saying that we are dying, help us, but the soldiers continued shooting.
I entered and when I met a man I hit him with a club and he died.
You would say why not two, three or four but I couldn’t kill two or three because those that entered outnumbered those inside.
Some people did not even find someone to kill because there were more killers than victims.
When we moved in, it was as if we were competing over the killing. We entered and each one of us began killing their own.
Each person who we cut looked like they had been hit by the grenades. They looked traumatised. They looked like their hearts had been taken away.
No one was asking for forgiveness. They looked like they had been killed already.
My neighbours
Those you cut were just not saying anything. They were scared that no one said anything. They must have been traumatized.
Apart from breathing you could see that they had no life in them. They looked like their hearts had been taken away.
I saw people whose hands had been amputated, those with no legs, and others with no heads. I saw everything.
Especially seeing people rolling around and screaming in agony, with no arms, no legs. People died in very bad conditions.
It was as if we were taken over by Satan. We were taken over by Satan. When Satan is using you, you lose your mind. We were not ourselves. Beginning with me, I don’t think I was normal.
You wouldn’t be normal if you start butchering people for no reason. We had been attacked by the devil.
Even when I dream my body changes in a way I cannot explain. These people were my neighbours. The picture of their deaths may never leave me. Everything else I can get out of my head but that picture never leaves.
Continuation….
navigation, see below for text 100 Days of Slaughter: A Chronology of U.S./U.N. Actions
April 6, 1994 Rwandan President Habyarimana and the Burundian President are killed when Habyarimana’s plane is shot down near Kigali Airport. Hutu extremists, suspecting that the Rwandan president is finally about to implement the Arusha Peace Accords, are believed to be behind the attack. The killings begin that night.
April 7, 1994 The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and Hutu militia (the interahamwe) set up roadblocks and go from house to house killing Tutsis and moderate Hutu politicians. Thousands die on the first day. Some U.N. camps shelter civilians, but most of the U.N. peackeeping forces (UNAMIR–United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda) stand by while the slaughter goes on. They are forbidden to intervene, as this would breach their “monitoring” mandate.
On this day, ten Belgian soldiers with UNAMIR, assigned to guard the moderate Hutu Prime Minister, are tricked into giving up their weapons. They are tortured and murdered.
Also on this day, President Clinton issues a statement:
“… shocked and deeply saddened … horrified that elements of the Rwandan security forces have sought out and murdered Rwandan officials … extend my condolences … condemn these actions and I call on all parties to cease any such actions immediately …”
April 8, 1994 The Tutsi Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) launches a major offensive to end the killings and rescue 600 of its troops surrounded in Kigali. The troops had been based in the city as part of the Arusha Accords.
President Clinton speaks to the press about Rwanda–
“… I mention it only because there are a sizable number of Americans there and it is a very tense situation. And I just want to assure the families of those who are there that we are doing everything we possible can to be on top of the situation to take all the appropriate steps to try to assure the safety of our citizens there.”
April 9-10, 1994 France and Belgium send troops to rescue their citizens. American civilians are also airlifted out. No Rwandans are rescued, not even Rwandans employed by Western governments in their embassies, consulates, etc.
April 11, 1994 The International Red Cross estimates that tens of thousands of Rwandans have been murdered.
At the Don Bosco school, protected by Belgian UNAMIR soldiers, the number of civilians seeking refuge reaches 2,000. That afternoon, the U.N. soldiers are ordered to withdraw to the airport. Most of the civilians they abandon are killed.
April 14, 1994 One week after the murder of the ten Belgian soldiers, Belgium withdraws from UNAMIR.
April 21, 1994 The U.N. Security Council votes unanimously to withdraw most of the UNAMIR troops, cutting the force from 2,500 to 270.
The International Red Cross estimates that tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of Rwandans are now dead.
April 28, 1994 State Department spokeswoman Christine Shelley is asked whether what is happening in Rwanda is a genocide. She responds,
“…the use of the term ‘genocide’ has a very precise legal meaning, although it’s not strictly a legal determination. There are other factors in there as well.”
However, a secret intelligence report by the State Department issued as early as the end of April calls the killings a genocide.
April 30, 1994 The U.N. Security Council passes a resolution condemning the killing, but omits the word “genocide.” Had the term been used, the U.N. would have been legally obliged to act to “prevent and punish” the perpetrators.
Tens of thousands of refugees flee into Tanzania, Burundi and Zaire. In one day, 250,000 Rwandans, mainly Hutus fleeing the advance of the Tutsi RPF, cross the border into Tanzania.
May 1994 The White House starts holding daily confidential briefings on Rwanda with various U.S. government organizations via secure video link.
May 2, 1994 Kofi Annan, head of U.N. peacekeeping, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
“When the Belgians left it was clear that the U.N. could not implement the mandate it had, and either the mandate had to be changed, or reinforcements introduced … I do not know what the Council will decide after they have reviewed and reconsidered the situation today. If the council is going to recommend reinforcement, the reinforcement that goes in has to be well equipped, very mobile, and also able to protect itself. If we do not send in that kind of reinforcement … then I’m not quite sure they’ll be able to bring about a sort of law and order … that will lead to the end of the massacres … here we are watching people being deprived of the most fundamental of rights, the right to life, and yet we seem a bit helpless …”
May 3, 1994 Clinton signs a Presidential Decision Directive (PDD 25), created after a review of the nation’s peacekeeping policies and programs. PDD 25 aims to limit U.S. military involvement in international peacekeeping operations.
May 5, 1994 Madeline Albright, U.S. Representative to the U.N., testifies at a congressional hearing on funding of U.N. programs:
“But let me just tell you that on the Rwanda thing, it is my sense that to a great extent the Security Council and the U.N. missed the boat. We are now dealing with a situation way beyond anything that anybody expected. And as I mentioned earlier, what happened was that we were on one process where a smaller United Nations force, we felt, could deal with some of the issues in the area, and then all of a sudden with the shootdown of this airplane with the two presidents, it created an avalanche. And so it is hard to judge whether that particular operations started out properly.”
Anthony Lake, National Security Advisor, gives a press briefing on PDD 25:
“When I wake up every morning and look at the headlines and the stories and the images on television of these conflicts, I want to work to end every conflict. I want to work to save every child out there. And I know the president does, and I know the American people do. But neither we nor the international community have the resources nor the mandate to do so. So we have to make distinctions. We have to ask the hard questions about where and when we can intervene. And the reality is that we cannot often solve other people’s problems; we can never build their nations for them …”
May 11, 1994 At a State Department briefing, Mike McCurry is asked, “Has this government been able to determine whether any of the acts committed in Rwanda since April 6 constitute genocide?” He answers, “I don’t know that they’ve made any legal determination on that.”
May 13, 1994 The U.N. Security Council prepares to vote on restoring UNAMIR’s strength in Rwanda. However, Madeline Albright delays the vote for four days.
May 17, 1994 As the slaughter of the Tutsis continues, the U.N. finally agrees to send 5,500 troops to Rwanda. The Security Council resolution says, “acts of genocide may have been committed.” However, the deployment of the mainly African U.N. forces is delayed because of arguments over who will pay the bill and provide the equipment.
Albright testifies at a Capitol Hill hearing on tensions in U.S.-U.N. relations and discusses the Security Council’s resolution:
“… The United States has been a driving force in the provision of humanitarian assistance, in condemning the violence and in trying to organize a U.N. mission designed not simply to promise, but to deliver what it promises. Sending a U.N. force into the maelstrom in Rwanda without a sound plan of operations would be folly … The resolution adopted last night requires the Secretary-General to report back before the next phase of deployment begins … these choices are not easy ones. Emotions can produce wonderful speeches and stirring op-ed pieces. But emotions alone cannot produce policies that will achieve what they promise. If we do not keep commitments in line with capabilities, we will only further undermine U.N. credibility and support. The actions authorized last night will help. They may save lives. But ultimately, the future of Rwanda is in Rwandan hands.”
May 19, 1994 The U.N. requests the U.S. provide 50 armored personnel carriers (APCs). However, there are arguments between the U.S. and the U.N. over the costs.
Mid-May The International Red Cross estimates 500,000 Rwandans have been killed.
May 25, 1994 Mike McCurry, State Department spokesman, is asked at a press briefing, “… Has the administration yet come to any decision on whether it can be described as genocide?”
He answers, “I’ll have to confess, I don’t know the answer to that. I know that the issue was under very active consideration. I think there was a strong disposition within the department here to view what has happened there; certainly, constituting acts of genocide that have occurred …”
June 10, 1994 At a State Department briefing, spokesperson Christine Shelley is asked, “How many acts of genocide does it take to make genocide?”
“That’s just not a question that I’m in a position to answer.”
“Well, is it true that you have specific guidance not to use the word ‘genocide’ in isolation, but always to preface it with these words ‘acts of’?”
“I have guidance which I try to use as best as I can. There are formulations that we are using that we are trying to be consistent in our use of. I don’t have an absolute categorical prescription against something, but I have the definitions. I have phraseology which has been carefully examined and arrived at as best as we can apply to exactly the situation and the actions which have taken place … ”
June 22, 1994 With still no sign of U.N. deployment, the Security Council authorizes the deployment of French forces in south-west Rwanda–“Operation Turquoise.” They create a “safe area” in territory controlled by the government. However, killings of Tutsis continue in the safe area.
Mid-July 1994 The Tutsi RPF forces capture Kigali. The Hutu government flees to Zaire, followed by a tide of refugees. The French end their mission and are replaced by Ethiopian U.N. troops. The RPF sets up an interim government of national unity in Kigali.
Although disease and more killings claim additional lives in the refugee camps, the genocide is over. An estimated 800,000 Rwandans have been killed in 100 days.
epilogue
March 25, 1998 In Kigali, Rwanda President Clinton apologizes to the victims of genocide.
“… the international community, together with nations in Africa, must bear its share of responsibility for this tragedy, as well. We did not act quickly enough after the killing began. We should not have allowed the refugee camps to become safe havens for the killers. We did not immediately call these crimes by their rightful name: genocide. We cannot change the past. But we can and must do everything in our power to help you build a future without fear, and full of hope …”
Click here for more of President Clinton’s speech.
May 7, 1998 In Kigali, Rwanda U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan apologizes to the Parliament of Rwanda
“… The world must deeply repent this failure. Rwanda’s tragedy was the world’s tragedy. All of us who cared about Rwanda, all of us who witnessed its suffering, fervently wish that we could have prevented the genocide. Looking back now, we see the signs which then were not recognized. Now we know that what we did was not nearly enough–not enough to save Rwanda from itself, not enough to honor the ideals for which the United Nations exists. We will not deny that, in their greatest hour of need, the world failed the people of Rwanda …”
Click here to read Annan’s speech.
December 1998 A French parliamentary commission completes a nine-month inquiry into France’s military involvement in Rwanda before and during the genocide. The commission concludes that most of the blame lies with the international community, particularly the United Nations and the United States. Although France is noted as making “errors of judgment,” the government is absolved of responsibility for the killings.
March 1999 A week before the fifth anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights Leagues and the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch release a report titled, “Leave None to Tell the Story.” The 900-page report documents events before and during genocide. It also criticizes the U.N., the U.S., France and Belgium for knowing about preparations for the impending slaughter and not taking action to prevent the killings.