Felly Kimenyi
13 May 2008
Kigali — The United States Department of State has rejuvenated the manhunt for some 13 key fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
In 2004, the US included the 1994 Rwandan Genocide fugitives in its "Rewards for Justice" programme which rewards anyone who provides information that can lead to the arrest of wanted fugitives.
Despite the incentive, some of the most wanted suspects remain untouched; notable among them is Felicien Kabuga, the financier of the Rwandan Genocide.
"Their continuing presence in the region represents a threat to stability and reconciliation,"
Clint Williamson, U.S. Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Issues is quoted as having said Monday.
According to media reports, the plan will be specifically be relaunched In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where most of the fugitives are believed to be hiding. Posters and other materials advertising the rewards will be distributed in the DRC.
As a new development, a 24-hour telephone hotline has been set up listing both international and local Numbers.
When contacted for comment, Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama said that this was a welcome move that puts an end to impunity.
"The Government of Rwanda is appreciative of the assistance being rendered by the United States. This will facilitate the arrest of some of the key suspects who have evaded justice for long and are mainly hiding in the DRC," Karugarama said by telephone yesterday. He added that it further sends a clear message to those fugitives and the whole world that nobody would commit Genocide and get away with it. According to a release from the US State Department, the efforts are aimed at strengthening security within the Great Lakes Region.
"The Department of State is cooperating with other governments, the UN, and with the ICTR to make it more difficult for these fugitives to elude justice. This initiative is a critical element of our continuing efforts to bring peace to the Great Lakes Region," reads the release.
The campaign is being launched at a time when the ICTR which was established by the United Nations 13 years ago faces a deadline of not later than December this year to have finalized all the trials and wind up appeals by the end of 2010.
Since the Rewards for Justice was first launched in 2004, many fugitives have been arrested.
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