Finnish Ambassador bids farewell

VILLAGE URUGWIRO - The Finnish Ambassador to Rwanda, Juhani Toivonen, yesterday called on President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro to bid him farewell. The Ambassador, who was based in Dar–es –salaam, Tanzania, completed his four-year term and will leave in July. In an interview shortly after meeting the Head of State, Toivonen commended the relations between the two countries. “I have been working very well with Rwanda’s Ambassadors in Dar –es – salaam and the relations between the two countries are good,” he said. The envoy disclosed that among the issues he discussed with the President was the forthcoming arrival of a delegation from the Finish court to investigate the case of a Genocide fugitive, François Bazaramba. Bazaramba was convicted by the Finnish court for involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He was convicted on two charges; intent to destroy the Tutsi population in Maraba, and spreading malicious propaganda calling for their extermination, crimes for which he was handed a life sentence. The convict is said to have masterminded the killing of over 5,000 people in Nyakizu, Southern Province. Bazaramba allegedly organised and maintained night patrols and road blocks, forcing the Tutsi to leave their homes. He is believed to have organised the torching and destruction of Tutsi homes and property. He, however, appealed against the sentence and his defence sought revision of the case hence the Finnish High court visit to Rwanda. Toivonen said that the court will arrive not later than October this year. The ambassador also said that although Finland and Rwanda lack embassies in their respective capitals, Rwanda is renowned in Finland for its recovery from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ends

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Finnish Ambassador bids farewell