Rose Kabuye

This week, the case of Mrs Rose Kabuye, the director of State protocol, remained top news. She was on Thursday transferred from Germany to France where she appeared before a French Judge and was later released.

Kabuye, who is revered for her heroic role in the 1990-94 struggle for liberation was given bail and is likely to get a speedy trial according to some news outlets. This is what she and the Rwandan government have been demanding for, since her arrest.

Members of the Rwandan community in France were not able to see her as she was whisked into the Palais de Justice. But she was later seen on television after her release hugging and laughing with Rwandans who came to see her.

The Minister of foreign affairs Rosemary Museminali, was quoted saying that her release is a step forward, but called for the charges to be dropped as they are politically motivated.

National demo
 
Meanwhile tens of thousands of people on Wednesday thronged the streets to demonstrate against the arrest and detention of Rose Kabuye. This not only demonstrated the high regard with which Rwandans hold her, but also the collective anger of a people betrayed.

They in effect according to observers were protesting against the victimization of a woman and mother who stopped the Genocide, while the very people who carried out the Genocide still live in comfort in France and Germany.

UN special envoy

Again the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) continued to dominate news at home, in the region and overseas.

President Paul Kagame on Sunday met with Olusegun Obasanjo the UN special envoy for the DR Congo. The discussions centered on the conflict in the DR Congo and possible solutions.

Before his meeting with Kagame, Obasanjo held talks with DR Congo President Joseph Kabila and National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) Chairman Laurent Nkunda.

Still on DR Congo, the CNDP this week withdrew from two frontline areas in a show of goodwill. At the same time, the UN forces in DR Congo were reported to have exchanged fire with a pro-Kinshasa militia group.

International justice amyth

President Paul Kagame addressed a press conference on Monday where according to press reports he described international justices as a myth, some countries use it to serve their interests at the expense of others. He was reacting to the arrest of Rose Kabuye in Germany.

He said that the charges that were being leveled against Kabuye were trumped up. Kagame was quoted saying that the rich countries of the world are using international justice only when it is convenient to their interests.

Kagame also used the opportunity to express optimism on the recent appointment of Obasanjo as the UN chief’s special envoy to the DR Congo. He said that Obasanjo has knowledge of the DR Congo problems from the days he was Nigerian President.

President Kibaki

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki jetted into the country on Tuesday for a three day state visit. While in the country, the Kenyan leader held bilateral discussions with his host President Kagame.

He also traveled to Eastern Province where he made a pledge to boost cattle farming in the area. The support includes the training of Rwandan veterinary experts at the Kenya College of Animal Husbandry, and also help with veterinary experiments.

Gahaya Links

Also in the news this week, Gahaya Links, a local wholesale trade firm, was among the six African companies that won the 2008 Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa awards. The entrepreneurs behind these companies were awarded USD 350,000. The function was graced by Presidents Kagame and Kibaki.

British Minister for Africa, Asia and the United Nations Lord Molloch- Brown told reporters on Thursday that the DR Congo rebel group CNDP is not assisted by Rwanda. He made the comments after meeting President Kagame and Urugwiro Village.

Ends