NORTHERN PROVINCE

NYABIHU — Several residents in upcountry towns have condemned the recent arrest in Germany, of the President’s aide, Rose Kabuye.

Bishop John Ruchahana, of Shyira Diocese described the arrest as a real exposure of not only France and Germany, but Europeans’ attitude towards Africans- have held for centuries.

"It’s a huge, long existing oppression and derogation which Africans should shake off their shoulders now,’’ he said, calling upon religious leaders, Rwandans, young and old to protest and pray for the end of injustice every where.

The bishop pointed out that all people are born free, equal and should enjoy equal status.

Kabuye, the Director of State Protocol, was arrested in the Germany city of Frankfurt as she arrived at the airport on state duty on Sunday.

The arrest was based on the contested indictments issued in 2006 by French Judge, Jean Louis Bruguiere, against nine senior government officials.

Referring to John: 10:10, in the Bible, Bishop Ruchahana said that the world needs to know that Africa has come to a moment where it needs to be free like any other person of the world.

Meanwhile, in the Nyabihu district, hundreds of residents took to the street to raise their voices against the arrest.

"It is imposing European authority and yet another form of colonialism on the African people,” Frank Kobukyeye, one of protestors said of the arrests.

Festo Muhawenimana, another protestor, observed that where as Rwanda ensures cooperation, non violent policy with other countries, France is bent on destabilising it- and this should not be tolerated. 

The indictments which were issued without hearing from the persons allegedly implicated, accused the nine officers of having played a role in the shooting down of the plane that was carrying former President Juvenal Habyarimana.

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