Leon Mugesera goes on trial in Kigali
Leon Mugesera was formally charged with “planning genocide, inciting the masses to participate in genocide and distribution of arms” at Nyamirambo court in Kigali on 2nd February. The case is adjourned until April 2 to give the defendant time to find a lawyer and prepare his defence. Mugesera moved to Canada in early 1993. He’s [...]
ICTR transfers case to Rwanda
This is a bit of a landmark moment for Rwanda. Almost eighteen years after the genocide, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has formally transferred its first case to Rwanda for prosecution in Rwanda. The case of Jean Uwinkindi – “a pastor arrested in Uganda in 2010 and indicted for genocide and crimes against [...]
France and Rwanda turn the page
The key findings of a French report into the downing of the plane carrying President Habyarimana in April, 1994 were made public through lawyers in Paris yesterday. I spent 25 minutes with Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Kigali this morning to discuss the report, Franco-Rwanda relations, press freedom, political space and regional [...]
20 wounded in Kigali grenade attack
A grenade exploded at a small, dirt road intersection in Nyabisindu, Gasabo district, near Amahoro Stadium in Kigali tonight. The shaky image above shows the cordoned off area where the grenade exploded. As I blog, twenty people are confirmed wounded. I saw several victims at nearby Kibagabaga hospital who had lost limbs. I filed a [...]
UN report alleges mineral smuggling has “risen substantially during 2011”
Smuggling of minerals between DR Congo and Rwanda has “risen substantially during 2011” according to a report published by the United Nations Group of Experts on DR Congo today. Here is my feature for Reuters on the UN report written with Jonny Hogg, Reuters Kinshasa-based correspondent. The report, which also covers rebel groups, arms dealing and [...]
Rwanda prison biogas story on the BBC
Following on from the story I did for Reuters on the use of biogas in Rwanda’s prison system, I put together a nine photo slideshow for the BBC. It tells much the same story, but… in pictures. I was pleased to hear from the BBC this morning that the piece had “120,000 hits on Sunday” [...]
Hunting for gold in Rwanda
There are two ways to hunt for gold in the hills of Rwanda. The traditional method – pictured above – requires little more than a sturdy pan to sift the dirt and gravel found in the many, murky streams that snake Rwanda’s thousand hills. These “artisinal miners” are not strictly legal. The pursuit for a [...]
U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Rwanda
Four noticeable things from Ambassador Susan Rice’s speech at Kigali Institute of Technology (KIST) in the Rwandan capital this evening. The first was the activity on Twitter. I admit, I got distracted during the first part of her speech, as the now familiar praise for Rwanda’s impressive development on multiple fronts was heaped upon the audience [...]
Prison poo power
The concept is simple; Prisoners go to the toilet, their waste is collected, it makes gas, the gas goes to the kitchen, prisoners cook using the gas, eat the food they cook, go to the toilet… and the whole process starts again. I have visited Nsinda Prison in Rwamagana district in eastern Rwanda twice in [...]
The Chronicles newspaper launches in Rwanda
Rwanda is in the process of reforming the media law. Should the law become enacted, print media will self-regulate. Rwanda is regularly criticised by organisations such as Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect journalists for a lack of press freedom. However, some Rwandan journalists, emboldened by the proposed new law, believe the time [...]
