The Minister of Internal Security Mr. Fasil Musa Harerimana officially opens the training of 506 armed Militias called Imbanzabigwi in Nkumba in Burera District. Minister Hererimana told the participants that they should use the military skills obtained from that course in self_defence and in defending what the Minister called the whole country.
“Yasabye intore kuba maso ndetse ubumenyi bahabwa bakabusangiza abandi kugira ngo buri wese ashobore kuba maso mu gucunga umutekano we ndetse n’uwigihugu muri rusange”
Minister Musa Harerimana was franked by IGP Gasana and the leader of Intore Mr. Boniface Rucagu. The participants assured the Minister that they will use their new skills in implementing the government policies,
Uwingabire Vestine yagize ati, “Ubundi imbogamizi tugira ni uko tuba dufite ubumenyi buke ariko mu gihe turi bumare kano buraba bwiyongereye, ubundi wasangaga dukora ariko tukajya duhuzagurika ariko buhoro buhoro bizagenda bishira bitewe n’ubumenyi tuzongererwa.”
If anybody was in doubt of what the Intore will do, you have been given an answer. We all know what the Intore do and stand for, and our history is no stranger to the armed groups during the last days of dictator’s power. This is called the game of chase or stalemate, for those who know the game of chase this is where the player will not leave his/her position, because he/she knows that when he moves a step from his position he/she is in danger, he/she rather opts for a draw.
This is the government of RPF under Kagame, doing the same mistake of its predecessor Gen. Juvenal Habyarimana. The Interahamwe Militia group was formed by the late President to be used in what they called the defence of their MRND Party and supporters but eventually became uncontrollable and more powerful than the regular security forces.
These Interahamwe militias were instrumental in the genocide of the Tutsis and massacres of many people who disagreed with their barbaric actions in 1994. After 21 years RPF and Kagame are launching similar groups that would inevitably cause the same mayhem of 1994 against innocent Rwandans.
The demise and brutal removal from power by the ragtag militia groups banded together supported by NATO to overthrow the Gaddafi regime have since refused to disarm and submit to any central authority. The result has been continued political turmoil and violence that has in recent months escalated to new heights. The country’s capital, Tripoli, and the second largest city, Benghazi, have become battlegrounds for heavily armed militia groups vying for control.
This is the same tragedy that happened in the Central African Republic after the fall of Gen. François Bozizé on 24 March 2013, the Muslim population of CAR was being systematically targeted by the predominantly Christian and animist “anti-balaka” militias. Formed largely in response to abuses by the Séléka rebel alliance, the predominantly Muslim armed group who overthrew the above former President, anti-balaka militias up to this very day, have conducted widespread attacks against Muslims and are responsible for the majority of civilian deaths.
In the neighboring Burundi, the Imbonerakure of the ruling party CNDD/FDD of President Pierre Nkurunziza have been accused of mass violations of human rights, beating, extorting and killing civilians. Benefiting from complete impunity, some armed and militarised elements within the most popular youth party have become a weapon that the state can wield as it cracks down on critics ahead of elections in May. “There’s no shortage of fear around here,” said Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa the country’s leading rights activist.
Unlike in Burundi where Human Rights groups have been active in defence of the human rights violations, their Rwandan counterparts are controlled by Government officials were openly have been hostile toward independent nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working on human rights. The pro-government media echoed these views with public attacks on international human rights organizations and other perceived critics.
Even, the last effective independent Rwandan human rights organization, the Rwandan League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LIPRODHOR), was taken over by members believed to be sympathetic to the government. We appeal to the UK and US governments that support the Kagame national budget to discourage him from forming armed militias which we all know are meant to destabilize the country and weaken the opposition which is even not functioning in the country.
Joseph Ruhumuriza
Legal Expert Great Lakes Human Rights Link.
http://www.greatlakeshumanrightslink.com/the-danger-of-armed-militias-kagame-creates-imbanzabigwi/