Kigali — Sixteen years after the Genocide against the Tutsi in this country, these is a whole generation that does not have a clue as to what price has been paid for Rwanda to be the most stable and peaceful country on the African continent, that it is today.
They were either not yet born or too young to remember that this country went to hell and back. Indeed to many independent and objective observers, what has happened in Rwanda is nothing short of a miracle.
For all intent and purposes, Rwanda, after the Genocide, had been written off, virtually listed among the failed states.
Today, the country continues to serve as an example of success in all areas of human endeavour. From the economy, to health care and education to ICT and security, the country's experience has been an inspiration to the rest the continent, with frequent delegations of African administrators and experts making trips here to learn from the Rwandan success.
Indeed the country's success story is not just an African affair. The achievements registered in the last sixteen years have not only attracted the attention of analysts and academics all the over world, but we have had world politicians weigh in, to add their voice.
Everybody is in agreement that the remarkable achievements in Rwanda are largely attributed to the peace and security that have characterized the country for many years.
Security and the rule of have been so prevalent in this country, they have come to be taken for granted, both by the Rwandan people and foreign residents.
Rwanda's success with her own security benefited the region when in 2004 the country became the first to volunteer a peace-keeping force to the war-torn Darfur region of the Sudan, before anyone else could contemplate sending their troops to the war ravaged zone.
Today, the presence and performance of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in the Sudan is not only hailed by both the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) as exemplary, but it has also served as an inspiration.
The recent UN/AU Retreat that brought together key stakeholders in the peace-keeping exercise in the Darfur region, including the European Union, that took place in Kigali was, according to Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative of the African Union - UN Peace keeping mission, a statement on the part of the UN and the AU, in appreciation of Rwanda's contribution to the restoration and the keeping of peace in Darfur.
Clearly, Rwanda has been able to "export" peace to other parts of the world following its own success at home. However, what most people tend to forget is that the peace and security that the Rwandan people enjoy and have, over the years, come to regard as a given, came at a cost.
The people of this country have fought decisive battles and defeated efforts by the genocidal forces, who re-grouped across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to force their way back.
While these negative forces have never given up on their agenda to create instability in the country, security inside Rwanda has been successfully consolidated, way beyond anyone's expectations.
It is against this background that Rwandans have not only come to expect a safe environment for people and their property, they also take the security for granted.
That is precisely why recent efforts by certain criminal elements to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the city, by setting off some explosions, did not amount to anything, as the residents and indeed the country at large hardly noticed.
The people are aware that security in this country is anchored on a firm foundation and nothing can threaten it, and their reading into the motivation behind the recent explosions in the city, is probably that it was some attention-seeking criminal at work.
However, confirmed reports that former Rwandan High Commissioner to India, Kayumba Nyamwasa and one Patrick Karegyeya, now believed to be based in South Africa, were the brains behind the recent grenade attacks is a sad commentary.
The Prosecutor General has, indeed, confirmed that the two are wanted for acts of organized insecurity in the country. The attacks orchestrated by these two fugitives, which caused the loss of innocent Rwandan lives, constitute an act of terrorism.
Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kuteesa, has confirmed that Nyamwasa fled to South Africa, through Uganda and Kenya. That the former Rwandan envoy to India has chosen to join the individual with whom he is suspected to have planned and orchestrated terrorist attacks in the country, is likely to help investigators fill in the gaps.
The fact that Kayumba Nyamwasa fled to South Africa to join his suspected accomplice, soon after he had been questioned about his role in the grenade attacks, makes the case against him even more solid. Investigations had revealed that Kayumba and Karegyeya were not only the principal perpetrators of the recent grenade attacks in the city, but that the two fugitives had also planned more acts of terrorism around the country.
I wouldn't want to speculate on the motivation behind these two gentlemen's decision to join the ranks of those who have chosen to perpetrate terrorist attacks on innocent citizens.
However, in case they forgot, these individuals need to be reminded that the history of this country is littered with details of several individuals and organisations that chose a similar course, with only the lucky ones ending up in the Mutobo transit camp. Clearly, Kayumba and Karegyeya stand no chance with this new enterprise they have started.
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We can only understand that no matter how evil you are if superpowers are backing your deed it will seem that success is on your way; but only Eternal God through Jesus Christ will have the final word. Standing beside the lion does not make you become a lion too. Whenever the lion disappears you will be vulnerable. A boom, success or peace that comes from looting, stealing, killing, cheating...etc will never last. Tommorrow will tell
Welldone new times, we are all know about your support to the regime that is killing millions of Congolese and thousands of rwandans gone and chasing his fellow country men and women one after another by claiming that is one of the best in Africa and world. No one coming to Rwanda because of learning about Rwanda recovery but they are just coming to share money that Rwanda is looting from DR Congo. You are fooled and do not know about how european and america behave. The New Times is very ignorant, irresponsible, insulting to rwandan people and congolese, africans and can not see that Rwanda is a bomb waiting to explode soon or later by trusting UK and US support. The whole central africa is in danger of becoming a battle field for unknown years to come and looming insecurities due to the Hitler of africa (Kagame) that they are supporting. Believe me that Rwanda will pay dearly what Kagame is doing in Congo. If Leopold 2 of Belgium with all the power, relations he had failed in Congo and i can not see where Kagame will succeed with the support of UK and US succeeding in Congo because democratic republic of Congo will come back to Rwanda. US failed in Vietnam, failing in afganistan and Irak and will fail in Congo together with Rwanda. One day and the same people supporting Kagame will support congo against Rwanda because this just happened after supporting Mobutu for more than 30 years and they became ennemies of Congo and supporting Rwanda and Kagame. Saddam hussein gone but was their allie in the past, Iran in embargo now but was US and Uk allie in past. Our children will not be in peace if News paper like The new time does not take some responsibilities now to change africa leaders mentalities and its people. We, africa are so silly, ignorant and never learn like The new Time for the sake of money. They can not see the end of the Hitler Kagame is up. How many people has to die for the the New Times to know that Rwanda is not in peace, will not be in peace until kagame, museveni, Kabila and the rest are out of power to destroy central africa. The new time does not have a clue of what price rwanda will pay and instead of saying the whole generation that does not have a clue as to what price has been paid for Rwanda to be most stable and peaceful country on african continent. This new generation has to work very very very had to reverse and learn how to repair the damage that Kagame and his partners are causing in central africa for the sake of good future. As we know that with the power of congolese population, its size, richness and once they become together like the history of Congo teaching us about Lumumba, mulele ...and recover they will ask Rwanda to pay back everything that Rwanda has looted in Congo as reparation through international courts that will be in amount of billions of dollars because its well documented or they may try to go to war with Rwanda to make Rwanda pay back. At that time, all the money that Kagame looted in Congo will go to his owm pocket not the country coffer. And confiscated by banks that his hiding them.
GUY MUK, what a shallow diatribe you have posted here! that song about Rwanda looting Congo has become outdated. Rwanda is moving forward and i would advice you as my neighbour(assuming you are from Congo)to concentrate your energies and effort to contribute to Congo's recovery. You must be still living in the past as both these countries have improved thier relations,people are of both countries are trading with each other and are fighting thier common enemy. So please, calling Kagame names and be-deviling Rwanda will not get you and your kind anywhere- get on board "Tusonge Mbele"
vince96000,
I will guarantie you that i am not lliving in the past but the beginning of end time of Rwandan and Kagame reign which is very interesting to watch. Just see the signs of what happening in Rwanda now such: Indicted generals in south africa that rwanda will not be able to extradict back home but may go to Espagne or France so that they can witness against Kagame by making deals of less charges, you are having a decent opposition woman Victoire Ingabire fighting for liberation of Rwandans (Tutsi, Hutu and twa) all together from Hitler Kagame, grenades in Kigali These are signs which destabilising Kagame and other Rwandans killers. The best thing to watch is that Kagame as desperate criminal to hang up in power for dipolamatic immunity to avoid justice will not like to go without a fight that is when he will be killing opposition leaders and this may include Mrs. Victoire Ingabire and it will be very interesting to see Rwanda, Kagame, living in past and trade as you mentionned. That will be the time when UK and US will be a shame of accomadating Kagame and others resulting of being snub.
I can see that you have no knowledge of international law, remember our discussion and see what will happen in the future. People has not moved on may be Rwandans tutsi but not congolese or most of Hutus and i can not imagine that you personally losing all members of your family including cousins and others and someone like you coming with no sense that you moved on. I am congolese and know what i am talking about i have seen in england where nazis been taken to court after over 40 years for killing jews, Pinochet of Chili being arrested in England for killing spanish and that will happen to Rwandans including Kagame and it will be a big wipe out of all yours criminals. enjoy when you can but soon or later justice will catch up with you. Rwandans and congoleses are not trading as you are fooling yourself and get real it is a survival time since Rwanda has occupied both Kivu under fake congolese who are Rwandans. and some in Kinshasa changing Rwandan names to Congolese names like women changing their underwears but fortunately we know all of them. i am not going to teach you or train you anymore but keep this date and hope God will keep us alive to see all of this including my previous comment. I live in europe for very long time and seen a lot that you may have seen and good luck and be prepare for the future.
Congratulations Mr. Newtimes. And you think people will believe your opinion or the Prosecutor's statements? Biased and Wrong to the core!!!!!!.