City Mayor urges protesters to end demonstrations

The City of Kigali Mayor, Fidele Ndayisaba, has appealed to Rwandans to end the peaceful protests that erupted following the arrest of Lt General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake.The Mayors call comes on Day 6 of the protests that have already spread across the country and to Rwandan communities in the Diaspora.Rwandans were outraged by the arrest of the head of the National Intelligence and Security Services at Heathrow Airport in London on his way to Kigali.The Mayor told the protesters that their outrage had been heard across the world.“Your cries, anger and frustration have been heard throughout the country and beyond. We, as Rwandans will not and will never allow to be disrespected by any country. We stand by Gen Karake’s side, we shall use all possible means to make sure that he returns back,” the Mayor said.Many of the protestors, however, did not agree with the Mayor, saying that they will continue to protest until the General is released.Nurudin Munyaneza, one of the protesters said he wants assurance that Gen. Karake will be at the airport by midnight.“With all due respect to the Mayor, I kindly ask him to give us assurance that our General will be back today by midnight. We can’t stand the arrogance and disrespect of the British.”Aisha Uwera told the Mayor, as mothers who have left their families at home; it’s not fair to go back without a promise from the British that Karake will be back.“Mayor, we understand what you are asking us to do. But, we as Rwandan mothers left our homes, children and husbands to come and ask for the release of Gen. Karake, one of the few people who gave up his life so that we can have a peaceful country. So, why should we go before he touches down at Kigali International airport? We want him back.”But the Mayor assured them their message will still be conveyed through other just as effective channels.Speaking outside the British High Commission, the base for the protests, in Kigali, the mayor, flanked by senior Police officials, including Police spokesperson, Celestin Twahirwa, pointed out that though the demonstrations were peaceful, they had disrupted traffic.“We appreciate how you held peaceful demonstrations without vandalizing any property or harming anyone. However, these demonstrations have disrupted traffic flow around this area and we are concerned about the security of the place.“This area has an international hotel, Umubano Hotel, the European Union embassy and residence of its ambassador and an international hospital (King Faisal); so, we request that other means be used to solve this problem and I we will always update you on what is going on,” he said. Police wrote to the City of Kigali urge them to manage the issue which has resulted to the closure of some streets to accommodate the protests.The demonstrations have been going on round the clock, and Police are concerned about road and public safety, including noise pollution. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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City Mayor urges protesters to end demonstrations