Munyambo sentenced to life imprisonment

EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA—The long-awaited ende to a famous Genocide case in Rwamagana is over. As the courts clear after months of debate, Ilidephonse Munyambo on Thursday October 25 was sentenced to life in prison for Genocide-related crimes. After two days of thorough reading of evidences contained in his dossier, court president Rwakayigamba asked Munyambo if he had any comment to make. Looking composed, Munyambo pulled out a six-page document which he read to court and the general assembly for almost two hours. As if he was aware of the consequences, Munyambo lingered around destroying every other evidence that had been raised in his dossier. He said “this is my submission” and handed the document to court before quickly announcing that he requested for forgiveness from anybody who thinks he wronged him or her in the 1994 Genocide. The massacre lasting from April to July killed close to 1,000,000 Rwandans. With deliberation taking upwards of 3 hours, the case was a long one relative to most in the country. Though residents could be heard complaining about delayed deliberations, they waited anxiously to know Munyambo’s fate. Article 71 of the law in Kinyarwanda states, “abashinjwa bo mu rwego rwa mbere, banze kwirega icyaha, kwicuza no gusaba imbabazi cyangwa bireze, bakemera icyaha, bakicuza bagasaba imbabazi ariko ntizemerwe, bahanishwa igifungo cya burundu…” Those Genociders who are in the first category, who intentionally refuse to point out their role in the Genocide only to be proved by court, who refuse to seek for forgiveness or who sought for forgiveness but their forgiveness was not granted, are sentenced to life imprisonment. Munyambo is convicted of leading killers in the 1994 Genocide; attending MRND meetings preparing the Genocide; manning and leading roadblocks at Kugiti Cy’ abatwa; killing of one Ruvumbika and several others; illegal possession of guns during Genocide; supplying tools and materials that were used in killing innocent people; participation in the killings that took place at John Karangwa’s home; looting of property in Rwamagana town; looting of property at Rwasamirira’s residence and looting of Rudasingwa’s property. The judge then told Munyambo that he had 15 days to appeal the case if he was “not happy” with the judgement. The case started in September, bringing business to a standstill in Rwamagana every Tuesdays and Thursdays of the week. Close to 20 people including testified in this case. Asked for a comment, Patrick M. Kabarira Gacaca coordinator for Kigabiro said that Munyambo’s case had been the “hardest case encountered” in. Ends