http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/19/obama-rwanda-support-congo-rebels Obama urges Rwandan president to stop support for M23 rebels in Congo US president tells Paul Kagame that backing rebel group in eastern Congo is 'inconsistent with desire for stability and peace' Share74 inShare0 Email David Smith, Africa correspondent guardian.co.uk,  Wednesday 19 December 2012 10.22 EST Jump to comments (25) The US has been accused of turning a blind eye to Rwandan president Paul Kagame's meddling in neighbouring DR Congo. Photograph: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Barack Obama has urged the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, to halt support for rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a move welcomed by critics of Kagame's government. The United States, and in particular its UN ambassador, Susan Rice, have been accused of turning a blind eye to Rwanda's meddling in its neighbour, partly because of residual guilt over the 1994 genocide. But in a phone call to Kagame, Obama "underscored that any support to the rebel group M23 is inconsistent with Rwanda's desire for stability and peace". The White House said the US president stressed "the importance of permanently ending all support to armed groups in the DRC, abiding by the recent commitments he made… and reaching a transparent and credible political agreement that includes an end to impunity for M23 commanders and others" who committed rights abuses. Obama "welcomed President Kagame's commitment to moving forward in finding a peaceful solution" in eastern Congo, it added. A recent UN report presented detailed evidence that the Rwandan government is backing the rebels, a charge that Kagame's government has repeatedly denied. M23 members have allegedly perpetrated rapes, recruited child soldiers and carried out summary executions in eastern Congo. America has been criticised for a muted response. Rice, who is close to Kagame, delayed the UN report's publication for weeks and prevented a security council resolution from explicitly naming Rwanda as a supporter of M23. While Britain and others have suspended financial support to Rwanda, the US cut only $200,000 (£128,000) of military aid from a programme worth around $200m. Last week 15 leading campaign groups and thinktanks wrote to Obama accusing him of a failed policy and called for the president to impose sanctions. His intervention has been hailed as potentially signalling a new, tougher approach. "It's good news for us," said Jean-Baptiste Ryumugabe of the Rwandan opposition Social Party Imberakuri. "We hope Paul Kagamewill listen to President Obama because up to now many presidents and many organisations have asked him to stop fuelling the rebel group in eastern Congo but he refused. We have to hope he will now react positively." Ryumugabe called for the US to take further measures such as cutting financial aid and limiting visas for travel to the US. "They have many things they can do to stop this aggression," he said. Other Rwandan opposition groups said they were "greatly encouraged" by Obama's remarks. "It is absolutely important that the United States has taken this important and crucial step in seeking to bring president Paul Kagame to account for his actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo," said a letter addressed to Obama by the Rwanda National Congress and FDU-Inkingi. "Your voice and effort to bring Rwandan leaders of the M23 rebellion to account will be instrumental in stopping and reversing the carnage in DRC." But some questioned why Obama did not speak out sooner. Carina Tertsakian, senior researcher on Rwanda for Human Rights Watch, said: "They've lagged behind in terms of coming out strongly to denounce Rwandan support for M23. They've been unforthcoming. "Obama's words come quite late given how far the situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated in recent months, but we welcome talks at such a high level." In a further sign that US patience is wearing thin, the treasury department has imposed sanctions against two leaders of M23, Baudoin Ngaruye and Innocent Kaina, who are accused of using child soldiers. Ngaruye was cited for targeting children through "killing, maiming, and sexual violence". The move comes just weeks after a UN security council sanctions committee added the two men to its consolidated travel ban and asset-freeze list. Tertsakian urged the US to impose sanctions on senior Rwandan officials, including the defence minister and army chief of staff, because of their links to the rebellion in Congo. The US has launched a fresh appeal for the arrest and prosecution of Sylvestre Mudacumura, the head of Rwanda's main Hutu rebel group, and Congo's Bosco Ntaganda, an ex-general who spurred the ongoing mutiny in the east. Both are the subject of outstanding international criminal court warrants. M23 seized the strategic town of Goma in eastern Congo on 20 November as Congolese troops retreated to the nearby town of Minova. An investigation by the UN has found at least two deaths and 126 cases of rape in and around Minova in the 10 days that followed. Nine Congolese army soldiers have been arrested.

http://www.jambonews.net/actualites/20121220-rwanda-usa-sous-pression-obama-avertit-kagame/ Rwanda-USA : sous pression, Obama avertit Kagame   20. déc | Par Ruhumuza | Catégorie: A la une Barack Obama a téléphoné à Paul Kagame afin de lui souligner l'importance de cesser « de manière permanente tout soutien  à des groupes rebelles en RDC » estimant qu' « un soutien au groupe rebelle M23 était  incompatible » avec « le désir de stabilité et de paix du Rwanda » a annoncé la maison blanche ce mardi 18 décembre dans un communiqué ; une déclaration qui sonne comme un avertissement aux oreilles du dirigeant rwandais. Pour Human Rights Wach, les « paroles d'Obama arrivent tard au regard de l'intensité de la détérioration de la situation au cours des derniers mois » mais l'association de défense des Droits de l'Homme salue la tenue de « discussions à ce niveau » a déclaré Carina Tertsaskian  au « Guardian ».   Fortement critiqué ces dernières semaines par différents groupes de pression en raison du manque de condamnation du Rwanda pour son soutien au M23, Barack Obama a finalement cédé à la pression qui s'accentuait sur ses épaules et a appelé le Président rwandais pour lui demander de cesser tout soutien aux « groupes rebelles  en RDC » faisant référence au M23. La semaine dernière, 15 associations ainsi que des Think-Tank influents avaient qualifié d' « échec » la politique d'Obama dans la région des grands lacs et avaient dénoncé une « diplomatie silencieuse, n'ayant pas réussi à stopper les incursions continues du Rwanda ainsi que l'utilisation, en RDC, de groupes armés qui lui sont inféodés». En parallèle, plusieurs députés et sénateurs américains avaient élevé la voix et avaient demandé à l'administration Obama de « prendre des mesures plus sévères contre le Rwanda en raison de son soutien aux rebelles du M23 qui terrorisent la population civile à l'Est de la RDC ». « L'ONU est responsable des rebellions en RDC » Quelques jours avant, lors de la dixième édition du dialogue national qui s'est tenue les 13 et 14 décembre 2012,  Paul kagame, s'était pour sa part, à nouveau exprimé sur les accusations de soutien de son régime au M23 et les avait à nouveau rejetées de manière catégorique. Le numéro un rwandais avait accusé l'ONU d'être responsable des  rebellions en RDC  et avait comparé la situation à celle d'un meurtrier qui dépose le corps de sa victime devant la porte de son voisin et appelle la police pour l'accuser.  (http://www.jambonews.net/en/news/20121219-kagame-the-un-is-the-cause-of-the-congolese-uprising/) Situation à Goma Sur le terrain, malgré le départ du M23 de la ville de Goma, la situation sécuritaire demeure précaire et la population vit dans la crainte d'une nouvelle offensive du M23. Depuis le 8 décembre en effet plusieurs sources locales, ont affirmé avoir des bataillons rwandais pénétrer dans Goma. Mais à l'heure actuelle, ni la MONUSCO, ni le mécanisme conjoint de vérification des frontières n'ont été en mesure de confirmer ou infirmer ces allégations.  Interrogé à ce sujet, Lambert Mende, le porte-parole du gouvernement congolais  s'est également refusé de commenter se bornant à déclarer : « ce n'est pas seulement le M23 qui est autour de Goma. C'est tout ce que je peux dire ». Selon le département d'Etat américain, la crise au Congo a entrainé, depuis 1997, la mort de 5 millions de personnes et obligé des millions d'autres à quitter leur foyer. Ruhumuza Mbonyumutwa Jambonews.net

Book: Transitional Justice in Rwanda-Accountability for Atrocity

http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415522793/?utm_source=adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9780415619608%20and%209780415522786_Law   Transitional Justice in Rwanda Accountability for Atrocity By Gerald Gahima Published December 19th 2012 by Routledge – 432 pages Purchasing Options: Paperback: 978-0-415-52279-3: $55.95 Add to Cart Hardback: 978-0-415-52278-6: $155.00 Add to Cart eBook: 978-0-203-07515-9: Not Yet Available Description Contents Author Bio Subjects Description Transitional Justice in Rwanda: Accountability for Atrocity comprehensively analyzes the full range of the transitional justice processes undertaken for the Rwandan genocide. Drawing on the author's extensive professional experience as the principal justice policy maker and the leading law enforcement officer in Rwanda from 1996-2003, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the social, political and legal challenges faced by Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide and the aspirations and legacy of transitional justice. The book explores the role played by the accountability processes not just in pursuing accountability but also in shaping the reconstruction of Rwanda's institutions of democratic governance and political reconciliation. Central to this exploration will be the examination of whether or not transitional justice in Rwanda has contributed to a foundational rule of law reform process. While recognizing the necessity of pursuing accountability for mass atrocity, the book argues that a maximal approach to accountability for genocide may undermine the promotion of core objectives of transitional justice. Taking on one of the key questions facing practitioners and scholars of transitional justice today, the book suggests that the pursuit of mass accountability, particularly where socio-economic resources and legal capacity is limited, may destabilize the process of rule of law reform, endangering core human rights norms. Moreover, the book suggests that pursuing a strategy of mass accountability may undermine the process of democratic transition, particularly in a context where impunity for crimes committed by the victors of armed conflicts persists. Highlighting the ongoing democratic deficit in Rwanda and resulting political instability in the Great Lakes region, the book argues that the effectiveness of transitional justice ultimately hinges on the nature and success of political transition. Contents 1. Theoretical Framework of Transitional Justice 2. A Decade of Atrocities 3. Accountability for Mass Atrocity: Challenges, Choices and Goals 3. National Prosecutions 4. Accountability, Justice and the Role of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda 5. National Prosecutions 6. Seeking Alternative Accountability Mechanisms 7. Trials based on Universal Jurisdiction 8. Untold Story, Unfinished Business; Confronting the Crimes of the Victors 9. Assessing the Impact and legacy of Rwanda's processes of Accountability for Atrocity 10. Tentative Lessosns from Rwanda's mechanisms of Accountability for Atrocity 11. Conclusion Author Bio Gerald Gahima was central to the rebuilding of Rwanda's justice system in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, first as the chief of staff to the Rwandan Minister of Justice from 1996-1999, and subsequently as the country's Attorney General from 1999-2003. He now works as an independent consultant to various organizations, including UN bodies, on issues relating to the rule of law and reconstruction of post conflict countries. Related Subjects International Criminal Law Conflict Resolution War & Conflict Studies Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Restorative Justice Restorative Justice International Law - Law International Law Criminal Law & Practice Name: Transitional Justice in Rwanda: Accountability for Atrocity (Paperback) – Routledge  Description: By Gerald Gahima. Transitional Justice in Rwanda: Accountability for Atrocity comprehensively analyzes the full range of the transitional justice processes undertaken for the Rwandan genocide. Drawing on the author’s extensive professional experience as the... Categories: International Criminal Law, Conflict Resolution, War & Conflict Studies, Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict, Restorative Justice, Restorative Justice, International Law - Law, International Law, Criminal Law & Practice

Book: Britain's Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide

http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415619608/?utm_source=adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9780415619608%20and%209780415522786_Law   Britain's Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide The Cat's Paw By Hazel Cameron Published November 20th 2012 by Routledge – 160 pages Recommend to Librarian Purchasing Options: Hardback: 978-0-415-61960-8: $125.00 Add to Cart eBook: 978-0-203-11359-2: Not Yet Available Description Contents Author Bio Subjects Description Britain's Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide examines the role of the United Kingdom as a global elite bystander to the crime of genocide, and its complicity, in violation of international criminal laws during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. As prevailing accounts confine themselves to the role and actions of the United States and the United Nations, the full picture of Rwanda's genocide has yet to be revealed. Hazel Cameron demonstrates that it is the unravelling of the criminal role and actions of the British that illuminates a more detailed answer to the question of 'why' the genocide in Rwanda occurred. In this book, she provides a systematic and detailed analysis of the policies of the British Government towards civil unrest in Rwanda throughout the 1990s that culminated in genocide. Utilising documentary evidence obtained as a result of Freedom of Information requests to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as material obtained through extensive interviews - with British government cabinet members, diplomats, Ambassadors to the United Nations Security Council, prisoners in Rwanda convicted of being leaders and organisers of genocide, and victims and survivors of genocide in Rwanda – the author finds that the actions of the British and French governments, both before and during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, were disassociated from human rights norms. It is suggested herein that the decision-making of the Major government during the period of 1990 – 1994 was for the advancement of the interrelated goals of maintaining power status and ensuring economic interests in key areas of Africa. This account of the legal culpability of the powerful within the corridors of government, in both London and Paris, shows that these behaviours cannot be conceptualised under existing notions of state crime. This book serves to illuminate the inadequacies and limitations of a concept of state crime in international law as it currently stands, and will be of considerable interest to anyone concerned with the misuse of state power. Contents Chapter 1: An Introduction; Chapter 2: Global Elite Bystanders, Genocide Complicity; Chapter 3: Reading the Histories of Rwanda; Chapter 4: The Specter of Genocide in Rwanda and its Aftermath: Internal and External Responsibility for Genocide; Chapter 5: The French 'Resolution'; Chapter 6: Britain, Uganda and the RPF; Chapter 7: How Britain responded; Chapter 8: A conclusion; Notes; References Author Bio Hazel Cameron is lecturer in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews. Hazel is affiliated to the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI) based at King's College London in association with Harvard University and the University of Hull. Related Subjects International Criminal Law Criminology and Law Foreign Policy Human Rights Law & Civil Liberties Crime and Society Socio-Legal Studies - International Law & Politics African Studies International Law War & Conflict Studies African & Third World Politics Name: Britain's Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide: The Cat's Paw (Hardback) – Routledge  Description: By Hazel Cameron. Britain’s Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide examines the role of the United Kingdom as a global elite bystander to the crime of genocide, and its complicity, in violation of international criminal laws during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. As... Categories: International Criminal Law, Criminology and Law, Foreign Policy, Human Rights Law & Civil Liberties, Crime and Society, Socio-Legal Studies - International Law & Politics, African Studies, International Law, War & Conflict Studies, African & Third World Politics