http://www.jambonews.net/en/news/20121004-u-s-house-hearing-examining-the-role-of-rwanda-in-the-drc-insurgency/ U.S. House Hearing: Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC Insurgency   Oct 4th, 2012 | By Jeph Mboneye | Category: Top news Congressional Hearing - Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC Insurgency Washington, DC — Rwanda's armed interventions in the affairs of its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were the topic of a congressional hearing held Wednesday September 19, 2012 by Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House panel that oversees Africa and international human rights. The purpose of the hearing was to examine the US policy towards Rwanda following the UN report of experts which confirmed the Rwandan support to the M 23, a rebel movement fighting the Congolese army in the north Kivu in eastern DRC. "Six million people have lost their lives in the DRC as a result of recurring conflict. Far from resolving ethnic disputes, the interventions by Rwanda in the DRC have exacerbated tensions among the ethnic groups who live there," Smith said. "We hold this hearing today to begin the process of finding a way to address the factors that have caused Rwanda's armed intervention in hopes that the U.S. Government can offer a lasting solution to the long crisis in the DRC." Relevant Links The hearing, entitled "Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC Insurgency," featured witnesses testifying before an open hearing of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights. The subcommittee examined Rwanda's hand in the DRC in light of the recent release this summer of a United Nations report confirming Rwanda's support of rebels who have ravaged eastern Congo in the provinces of North and South Kivu. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide until the issuance of this report, the international community generally has declined to comment on Rwanda's interventions in the DRC. "We need to better understand the devastation caused by these interventions and gauge how the United States can play a helpful role in bringing this crisis to an end," Smith said. Jeph Mboneye Jambonews.net Congressional Hearing: Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC Insurgency Share and Enjoy:

Kagame attacks Belgium over Congo conflict

Kagame attacks Belgium over Congo conflict

Thursday, 04 October 2012 17:31 by RNA Reporter

 

 

President Kagame during the speech in Parliament today (Photo: PPU)

Kigali: President Paul Kagame on Thursday made another swipe at the regional colonial master Belgium – in a major speech in parliament in which he also described the DR Congo government as "ideologically bankrupt".

Without naming Belgium by name, President Kagame said whoever was still looking at Rwanda from the colonial period was mistaken. "Rwanda is no longer part of Rwanda-Urundi and Congo Belge," said Kagame.

The President's comments come following weeks of frosty relations with Rwanda's colonial master over the current conflict in eastern DRC. Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Didier Reynders has found himself in Kigali's firing line after suggesting repeatedly that Rwanda was backing Congolese M23 rebels.

During a sideline UN meeting on DRC in New York hosted by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last week, the Belgium top diplomat again came in the spotlight when President Kagame reportedly walked out as he spoke in the closed-door meeting. Rwanda's UN mission has played down the incidence – saying the President moved out to attend to an urgent matter.

Back in Kigali, the President spent much of his 1-hour speech bashing at the west. The Head of State was swearing-in senior government officials including; Maj Gen Frank Kamanzi Mushyo was appointed the Army Chief of Staff for land forces; and Ombudsman, Aloysie Cyanzayire.

In a mixture of English and Kinyarwanda, the President criticized western nations for the latest stance on Rwanda that has seen several donor nations indicating they would free aid. "After these boundary lines were drawn by colonizers, we are now being asked why there are Rwandophones in the Congo," said Kagame.

While outlining the aid agreements including Busan (South Korea), he said donor governments had abused the international agreements by cutting aid to Rwanda. The donors did not have the courtesy to communicate to Rwanda but relayed the messages in the media, complained Kagame.

"…injustice does not make us compliant, it makes us defiant .I'm not the one to comply to injustices caused to my people," added the President. 

He said the west and the Kinshasa government falsely blame Kigali for developing Rwanda using Congolese resources. Western companies are transporting minerals through Kigali, said Kagame adding: "Have we stopped anybody at roadblock?"

"The issue here is why do resources that continue to enrich them are not doing the same for Congolese," said Kagame.

The President also said future Rwandan leaders should be judged on him because he has stopped at nothing to protect Rwandans against attack. "This is why you hired me," said Kagame.

 http://rnanews.com/regional/6516-kagame-attacks-belgium-over-congo-conflict-

 

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Le mépris du Président Francois Hollande envers les Africains.

Le mépris du Président  Francois  Hollande envers les Africains.

Francois  Hollande  prochainement en Afrique. Il ne dormira pas en RD Congo. Il passera la nuit en avion soit dans son voyage pour la RD Congo, soit en regagnant la France.

 

Il méprise les Africains, les noirs. En RD Congo, il n'y a pas de hôtel qui lui convient, il n' y a pas de lit  qui lui convient, il  n' y a pas des repas qui lui conviennent. Probablement que ce comportement est pour montrer qu'il est un Président important, qu'il n'aurait même pas dû  aller  en  RD Congo, cela pour satisfaire les revendications de l'opposition. Ce comportement de Francois Hollande est ridicule et enfantin. Il aurait dû  être présent pendant les deux  jours et plus pour montrer son soutien à  la Francophonie. Il aurait dû prendre son temps pour visiter les pauvres, les agriculteurs, les malades,  les projets, les atouts  dont la RD Congo dispose.

 

Les problèmes en rapport avec l'opposition en RD Congo auraient dus être mis de cote pour un autre rendez-vous. En effet, Francois Hollande aurait dû  planifier une autre visite pour  les discussions approfondies avec l'opposition au lieu de tout mêler avec le Sommet de la Francophone qui est organisé par le pouvoir en place.

 

La rencontre avec l'oppositions ne va rien changer sur la démocratisation de la RD Congo. Au moins en RD Congo, on parle ouvertement, les partis d'opposition travaillent avec des difficultés qu'on connait, mais ils existent, ils sont actifs. Ils organisent des réunions, des démonstrations, etc.

Regarde le Rwanda,  tous les opposants son en prison.  Aucun parti politique d'opposition ne fonctionne ou  est autorisé à  travailler.  Aucun parti d'opposition n'est agrée. Aucun Rwandais ne peut s'exprimer librement sur les affaires de son pays. Mais le Rwanda est le premier pays à recevoir un grand volume d'aides internationales.  Tous les pays occidentaux sont en concurrence au Rwanda en matière d'octroi  d'aide au pays.

 

Le dictateur Kagame du Rwanda n'a jamais été élu démocratiquement. Il impose les résultats des élections.  Les élections sont trichées et tout le monde doit voter pour  lui.  Kagame crée et décide les partis ou les individus qui peuvent entre en compétition avec lui. Personne n'exige le dictateur Kagame de dialoguer avec l'opposition, qu'il doit laisser les partis politiques  travailler.

 

En conclusion, le citoyen africain attend que la communauté internationale  respecte les africains et traite tous les pays et leurs dirigeants de la même manière.

 

 

 

RDC: L'Allemagne demande au M23 de cesser d'enrôler les enfants

http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/201210030797.html Congo-Kinshasa: L'Allemagne demande au M23 de cesser d'enrôler les enfants Tagged: Armes et Armées, Afrique Centrale, Enfance, Conflit, Conflit, Congo-Kinshasa,Afrique de l'Est, Afrique et Europe, Relations Extérieures, Rwanda 3 OCTOBRE 2012 Comment Photo: Radio Okapi/ Ph. John Bompengo Peter Blomeyer, ambassadeur de l'Allemagne en République démocratique du Congo L'Allemagne est préoccupée par la dégradation de la situation humanitaire dans l'Est de la RDC. Son ambassadeur à Kinshasa, Peter Blomeyer, l'a déclaré ce mercredi 3 octobre, à l'occasion de la fête nationale allemande. Il exige au M23 de cesser d'enrôler les enfants dans la guerre et d'arrêter de commettre des violations contre les femmes. «Nous sommes très préoccupés par rapport à la dégradation de la situation humanitaire. Nous demandons [au M23] d'arrêter tout de suite l'emploi des enfants dans la guerre, les violations contre des femmes et des enfants mais surtout d'arrêter cette mutinerie», a déclaré Peter Blomeyer. Sur le même sujet Peter Blomeyer - « L'intégrité territoriale du pays et sa souveraineté doivent être respectées par tous » Le 11 septembre, Human Rights Watch avait accusé ces rebelles de crimes de guerre commis à grande échelle, y compris des exécutions sommaires, des viols et des recrutements forcés. Trente-trois des personnes exécutées étaient des jeunes hommes et des garçons qui avaient tenté de quitter les rangs des rebelles, selon l'ONG. Les responsables du M23 avaient alors nié que leurs troupes ou eux-mêmes aient commis des crimes, démentant les allégations de recrutements de force et d'exécutions sommaires. Le diplomate allemand a de nouveau condamné l'appui que Kigali apporte à la rébellion du M23, qui sévit au Nord-Kivu depuis mai dernier: «Nous condamnons cette mutinerie et son soutien. Nous avons demandé au Rwanda de s'expliquer par rapport aux révélations des experts des Nations unies. Nous n'avions pas reçu une réponse convaincante. Alors, nous avons suspendu notre aide budgétaire au Rwanda, d'un montant de 21 millions d'euros.» Le ministère allemand au Développement, cité par l'agence Reuters, avait indiqué, samedi 28 juillet, que Berlin suspendait 21 millions euros (26 millions de dollars) de ses contributions au budget du Rwanda, planifiées à partir de cette année jusqu'en 2015. Deux jours auparavant, les Pays-Bas étaient le premier pays européen à avoir annoncé la suspension de leur aide au développement accordée au Rwanda pour la même raison. Cette aide est évaluée à 5 millions d'euros soit 6,160 millions USD). Les USA avaient déjà donné le ton, samedi 21 juillet, en suspendant son aide militaire au Rwanda évaluée à 200 000 dollars américains. Ces fonds étaient destinés à financer une académie militaire rwandaise pour des officiers non gradés, avait précisé la porte-parole du Département d'Etat. Ils seraient désormais être réaffectés sur un autre pays, avait-elle poursuivi, sans le nommer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2212027/Mitchell-insisted-handout-dictator--16m-aid-parting-favour-friend-Rwanda.html Mitchell insisted on handout to dictator: £16m aid 'a parting favour' for his friend in Rwanda New chief whip said to have made the decision in his final hours as International Development Secretary Senior Foreign Office source tells the Mail it was a 'mistake' and that Mitchell overruled civil servants Rwandan president Paul Kagame accused of backing  militia leading a bloody uprising in neighbouring Congo By JASON GROVES PUBLISHED: 18:33 EST, 2 October 2012 | UPDATED: 18:33 EST, 2 October 2012 Comments (160) Share 'Parting favour': One of Andrew Mitchell's final decisions as International Development minister was to unfreeze aid to Rwanda Andrew Mitchell overruled Foreign Office advice to hand £16million of British aid money to a controversial African dictator accused of fuelling a bloody civil war. A senior Foreign Office source told the Daily Mail that Mr Mitchell's decision to lift the freeze on aid to Paul Kagame's Rwandan regime was a 'mistake' which would damage Britain's reputation for standing up against human rights abuses. Mr Mitchell, now David Cameron's chief whip, is reported to have overruled his own civil servants by making the decision in his final hours as International Development Secretary last month. Half of the money will go directly into the Rwandan government's coffers – despite fears that it will be used to fund a murderous rebellion in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). One human rights campaigner yesterday described the move as a 'parting favour' to President Kagame, a personal friend of Mr Mitchell. The revelations will pile pressure on the chief whip, who is already fighting to save his job after being accused of hurling foul-mouthed abuse at police officers who stopped him riding his bike through the gates of Downing Street.   More... EU squanders our aid millions, says minister (so why hasn't he done anything about it for two years?) ANDREW PIERCE: Why Andrew Mitchell shouldn't be too confident Labour yesterday called for the publication of the civil service advice received by Mr Mitchell. Shadow International Development Ivan Lewis accused him of putting 'personal friendship above proper foreign policy considerations'.  The Department for International Development insisted his decision had been 'based on advice from policy officials within the department', but refused to detail the advice. In June, a United Nations report produced detailed evidence showing that Rwanda is backing the notorious M23 militia which is leading a bloody uprising in the DRC. Dictator: Rwandan president Paul Kagame (pictured with David Cameron in 2007) is accused of backing a murderous militia operating in neighbouring Congo The militia, led by alleged war criminal Bosco Ntaganda, is accused of widespread murder and rape and has driven 470,000 people from their homes in recent months. Kagame, who was re-elected in 2010 with 93 per cent of the vote, has also been accused of suppressing political opponents and journalists in his own country. A senior Foreign Office source said: 'The evidence against Kagame's regime is absolutely overwhelming. The UN experts' report found incontrovertible evidence that there had been support from Rwanda to the M23 rebels in terms of supplying weapons, uniforms, tactical advice and command and control assistance. There was also evidence of Rwanda fomenting strife in the area. 'Most people in the Foreign Office think the time has come to take a really tough stand.' Sources close to the new International Development Secretary Justine Greening have indicated she is also unhappy about the decision and will review it when the next aid payment to Rwanda is due in December. Congolese troops and tanks hunt for M23 rebels in the east of Congo: The UN found evidence of support from Rwanda to the M23 rebels in terms of supplying weapons, uniforms, tactical advice and command and control assistance Foreign aid accounts for more than 40 per cent of the Rwandan government's income, and Britain is the country's single biggest donor, giving £75million this year. A £16million aid payment was frozen at the end of July following the publication of the UN report. It was released just six weeks later on Mr Mitchell's last day in office. Aid freezes imposed by the United States, Germany, Holland and others remain in place. In a statement last month Mr Mitchell said he was releasing the cash because Britain had a 'responsibility to protect the poor' in Rwanda. He said he had 'sought assurances' from Kagame that he was not abusing human rights. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2212027/Mitchell-insisted-handout-dictator--16m-aid-parting-favour-friend-Rwanda.html#ixzz28EjIqQcc  Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook