AU dismisses French and Spanish indictments

African presidents during the Africa Union Summit this week condemned foreign indictments filed against senior officers of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) by two foreign judges. “The Summit requests the chairperson of the AU Commission to call a meeting between the AU and EU to discuss the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution to this problem and in particular to ensure that those warrants are withdrawn and are not executable in any country,” reads a resolution from the Summit. The indictments, denounced by various continental institutions, were issued by two judges from France and Spain against RDF officers. “Those warrants shall not be executed in the African Union member States,” the presidents unanimously ruled. The Heads of State urged that the political nature and abuse of the principle of universal jurisdiction by judges from some non-African States against African leaders, particularly Rwanda, is a clear violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The abuse of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction is a development that could endanger international law, order and security,” the Heads of State resolved. The presidents also called upon the chairperson of the AU commission to table the matter before the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly for consideration. A name cleared Also this week, the United States urged the UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon to renew the contract of Major General Karenzi Karake, as the deputy force commander for the AU/UN Hybrid force in Darfur (UNAMID). This came as a recognition of the invaluable work Karenzi has done in Darfur, building the trust that the extension of his contract will lead to much greater achievements as far as security in Darfur is concerned. The fact that the United States of America proposes an extension of Karenzi’s contract is a manifestation that the Spanish indictments against him do not hold any water. Mystery remains On Monday, news about the suspension of three senior police officers was confirmed by Internal Security Minister, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana. The news followed a game of hide and seek characterised by thwarted information disclosure from the concerned authorities when contacted by the press. The actual reason behind the indefinite suspension of the Commissioner General of Police, Andrew Rwigamba, criminal investigations department boss, Costa Habyara, and head of police training school in Gishari, has not been fully explained. The minister only said the directive to suspend the officers came from the president. A fond farewell This week also started with a melancholic tone, with the death of Monsignor Leonard Rubumbira, who succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 89. Monsignor Rubumbira, is much remembered by the Rwandans who lived in camps as refugees in neighboring Uganda. For a long time he helped many devastated people. Monsignor faced a challenge of bringing people to God, through teaching church doctrines, yet it was the same institution that had worsened their plight. He was kindhearted and caring he became a friend and father to many, he gave many a shoulder to lean on, and a hope to live. Many people have praised him, as an exceptional person with a heart that is not easy to find. He did not survive with any biological child, as inclined to his divine calling, may his soul rest in eternal peace. On Tuesday, heads of African states attended the African Union summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. A day to remember On July 4, Rwandans celebrated the fourteenth anniversary of the country’s liberation, an event which merged with Independence Day cerebrations. On this day, President Paul Kagame called upon Rwandans to have self esteem if they are to expect any respect from other people. Rwanda celebrates independence on July 1 while July 4 is when the country was liberated from the past regimes that culminated into the Genocide. The President noted that very many years were wasted in the 32-year transition between the independence and liberation of the country as the pioneers of the independence did less to give value to all Rwandans. “We did not utilise the independence we got because its pioneers chose not to let Rwandans make choice of what is good for them, those from whom we had acquired independence kept influence on us,” he said. Ends