The UN Security Council has been asked to put pressure on Kenya to arrest Kabuga. But will Kenya comply?

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) petitioned the UN Security Council to put pressure on Kenya to have Felicien Kabuga arrested following his role in the 1994 Genocide. 

Kabuga is accused by the ICTR for sponsoring the 1994 Tutsi genocide, in particular the Radio Television Mille Collines (RTLM), and purchasing machetes that were used by Interahamwe militias to kill over one million Tutsis.

The United States has also put pressure on Kenya to arrest Kabuga who is believed to be living in the country.

A $5m bounty has been put on his head, for whoever provides information leading to the arrest of this fugitive by the US government.

The ICTR Chief Prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, visited Kenya last year in his efforts to convince Nairobi to help in the capture of Kabuga.

The UN has been accusing the Government of Kenya of protecting Kabuga though Kenya has always denied awareness of Kabuga living on her soil.

Nairobi has, however promised to be cooperative in bringing him down if he is in the country. These efforts have thus far not produced any tangible result.

Nairobi not doing enough

The ICTR’s president, Judge Dennis Byron, said recently in Arusha that talks between the office of the ICTR prosecutor and the government of Kenya have not produced the expected results to arrest Kabuga.

One wonders whether this time, particularly because the ICTR mandate to operate has been extended, Kenya will be forced to hunt for Kabuga who has been in hiding for the last 14 years.

He is believed to be having a lot of businesses in Kenya and being protected by powerful people in the government. He also uses various names such as Faracean Kabuga, Idriss Sudi, Abachev Straton, Munyarunga Anathase and Oliver Rukundakuvuga to disguise himself, a factor that has helped him hide.

Ends