HUKO NEWTIMES MJADALA UMEPAMBA MOTO.....
LAST WEEK President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania rolled out the red carpet for Faustin Twagiramungu, once Rwanda's Prime Minister. It is unusual for a head of state to give VIP treatment to an ordinary individual with no known achievements, or political status in his country.
Twagiramungu's only claim to distinction is his dismal failure as prime minister, perennial grumbling, plotting against his country and a high level of ingratitude to people who saved his life.
In normal circumstances this would be considered a diplomatic faux pas considering that Tanzania and Rwanda are neighbours and partner states in the East African Community.
Obviously this fact is not strong enough to dissuade some people against abandoning customary civilised conduct. In that sense Twagiramungu's high level reception was not unexpected. In fact, it fits into a pattern that became public early in 2013.
The visit comes after Twagiramungu announced an alliance of his little known party (to do with dreams or something) with the genocidal Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
His announcement followed another one by the Bernard Ntaganda faction of PS-Imberakuri that they were also forming an alliance with FDLR.
The Rwanda National Congress of another Faustin – Kayumba Nyamwasa – has been desperately trying to get hitched to the genocidal bandwagon. If they have not gone the whole distance, it is because of mutual mistrust, not for lack of effort.
So immediately the announcements are made, Twagiramungu and co. hops off to Dar es Salaam to meet President Kikwete. Was it on their initiative? No. They were invited. Was this a friendly visit to an old buddy? Yes and no.
Some of you will remember that a year ago, President Kikwete proposed that the Government of Rwanda should negotiate with the FDLR for them to return home and for peace in the Great Lakes Region.
To Rwandans busy rebuilding their country and their Rwandanness, Kikwete's proposal was either the result of great disrespect and insensitivity or part of a wider plan against Rwanda.
As it now turns out, that outrageous suggestion was not the random muttering of someone with nothing useful to say, but part of a well-thought out strategy.
The answer to his preposterous proposal was unequivocal. No – there can never be any negotiations with genocidaires.
President Kikwete and his new-found foreign allies – the same that are responsible for all the mayhem in this region – must have realised that the proposal for talks could not fly. In the eyes of Rwandans and other right-thinking people, FDLR was a criminal, terrorist and genocidal organisation and not a legitimate political party.
And so they had to move to the next stage of the plan – to legitimise it. Hence the rush for a PS Imberakuri faction and Twagiramungu to announce their alliance with the FDLR.
Allying with parties perceived to be free of genocide connections was obviously meant to erase the genocide label from FDLR and turn it into an acceptable and credible political organisation.
Whitewashing FDLR is the first phase in a two-pronged strategy by Kikwete, Rwandan fugitives and foreign powers to pressure the Government of Rwanda into negotiating with it.
Their thinking seems to be that if the genocide label is hidden from view and the base of the organisation broadened, the FDLR would gain credibility and there would be no more reason for Rwanda not to negotiate with it.
If this is not enough to push Rwanda into talks, there is a back-up position – use of force. This second phase of the strategy is already under way.
It is well-known that the FDLR has been an integral part of the forces that fought M23 rebels in the eastern D R Congo. This alliance of forces included MONUSCO, DRC army and special UN Intervention Brigade whose bulk of troops was provided by Tanzania.
It is also common knowledge that in the joint operations against M23 some of the UN arms were given to FDLR. The same weapons are expected to be used by the FDLR and its allies to fight their way into Rwanda.
This part of the strategy explains why the Intervention Brigade whose mandate was to fight all negative forces in DRC has made no move against FDLR. You simply cannot fight an ally, especially if that ally also happens to be a vital element of your strategy.
This is not the first attempt to legitimise FDLR. Its apologists led by Human Rights Watch, MONUSCO and some of the many special envoys to the DRC have argued that it is no longer made up of genocidaires but children born after the genocide.
And these should not be condemned because of the sins of their parents, that there is no issue of original sin here.
The trouble is that FDLR remains a genocidal organisation despite all the attempts to wash it clean. It has not renounced the ideology of genocide. The children born in FDLR territory in DRC in the last twenty years have been brought up on that ideology and know no other.
In that sense they are worse than their parents. But in any case they have always been invited to return home, and thousands have done so.
The political parties now allied to FDLR to give it a cleaner face and broader base have no national character and represent only a few people – mainly their founders.
Their leaders, such as Twagiramungu have lost touch with reality and live in a permanent state of reverie. President Kikwete is gambling on the wrong people.
The option of fighting the Rwanda Defence Force – well, that is a different proposition that only the foolhardy, the utterly stupid or suicidal can contemplate. I would strongly advise against it.
josephrwagatare.wordpress.com
Contact email: jorwagatare[at]yahoo.co.uk
Comments
What does Kikwete want?
02:41:43 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Eastern Suburbs - Peter DM Reply | Close
To me KIKWETE's proposal wasn't neither the result of great disrespect nor of insensitivity, but of a wider plan against Rwanda. Kagame talks much about Rwanda and Rwandans,...Africa and Africans,...but some African leaders and Africans are not yet ready to be free people.
They are good to be slaves.They are not ready for their dignity. Do you know the story of MACONCO and the King in Burundi?
May God bless Rwanda,Rwandans and the leaders of Rwanda. May God protect AFRICA.
06:35:15 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 w - b r Reply | Close
Who currently makes up the FDLR is not what matters today. What matters is their founding genocidal ideology which still stands today. Sympathizing with them is being not regretful of what happened in 1994, its a pity.
08:06:33 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - Eddie Reply | Close
Is it conceivable that the death of his bosom friend, fellow philanderer and notorious trafficker in every imaginable thing, Patrick Karegeya, has finally pushed our friend in Ikulu over the edge?
Don't they have adults in charge of our neighbours' foreign policy establishment, willing and able to counteract his readiness to listen to the siren songs and inducements that his emmissary Bernard Membe is getting every time he flies to Paris?
Or is it in fact Dar pushing the anti-Kigali agenda with Paris only too happy to oblige?
Whatever the case, our Mkwele friend seems hell-bent on biting off more than he can safely chew, let alone swallow. And his far-off friends won't be able to aid him. Wise people throughout history have cautioned against courting distant friends while alienating very close neighbours.
08:07:58 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 jkalinda@gmail.com - Mwene Kalinda Reply | Close
We don't want any more wars, Rwanda is at peace now, a good neighbor is suppose to support the legitimate government and not otherwise. God Bless Africa, any evil plans will fail, in Your holy name.
08:22:04 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Dar es Salaam - Milka Reply | Close
i love how this article is detailed, true en practical, kp it up joe.
08:27:05 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - Jackson Onyango Reply | Close
Sometimes I wonder whether the Tanzanian Government clearly understands Rwanda today! Tiny as it, it has the capacity to not only defend itself but disorganise and disorient any enemy force however big and large the size.
There are precedents set before. Tanzania had better rethink its position on Rwanda lest its hummiliated beyond reproach. I am no war monger but that the reality.
08:54:17 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Harare,Zimbabwe - Bob Kirenga Reply | Close
Bob, you have it right and wrong. It isn't Rwanda that destabilises the 'mighty' enemy. It is a factor long in possession of the tutsi people that whoever harms them by proxy or otherwise find themselves in hot soup.
I have cautioned JMK from the days of Bigaruka that he should desist from giving his offspring a feud for an inheritance. Christians should pray hard for this fellow. He is selling what is invaluable for a single meal.
Meanwhile TZ sober citizens, your ship is moving in uncharted waters by a very reckless skipper.
14:32:47 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kacyiru - Kennedy Maridadi to Bob Kirenga Reply | Close
This article has no any material facts. It is a piece of insinuation bent to mud-sling Tanzania. The writer seem to have poor reasoning as he is writing to satisfy his hunger of bitterness.
Tanzania has no intention to support any kind of agression against Rwandans. We all know that Rwanda was irked by our accepting to contribute to the UN Mission to restore peace in DRC.
But remember Tanzania did not sent our forces on a private mission rather we responded to the international call. Our forces are operating in Rwanda within the confines of international law.
We responded on the moral call, we support peace in DRC, we are tired of constant surge of violence, displacement, human rights abuse against especially helpless and vulnerable women and children.
It is inconceivable that Tanzania wants to cause trouble in Rwanda. Any effort or action done by Tanzania is for the good and stability of Rwanda. The earlier you understand this the better.
09:47:34 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Mwanza - kadulyu Reply | Close
Kadulyu, Mr. Rwagatare's piece does not pretend to be a news article presenting only facts to this paper's readers. Rather it presents a number of news items presenting a number of troubling facts to comment on President Kikwete's growing and incomprehensible links with the FDLR, RNC and their other similarly active anti-Rwanda Government political and armed groups.
The real question patriotic Tanzanians should be asking is: what does your President hope to gain for himself and your country in from these openly hostile moves?
10:40:31 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 jkalinda@gmail.com - Mwene Kalinda to kadulyu Reply | Close
I agree with you, the author is NOT objective in his analysis. In as much as TZ may NOT be a favorite in EAC i dnt think they wish to see problems next door since they will bear any brunt of refugees.
11:31:44 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - K Abatesi to kadulyu Reply | Close
Bwana kadulyu you should better leave such senstive matters to those who know better. If you have nothing to you better go to those bitches and drink silly out your self.
If you remember very correctly you kikwete was by then the foreign affairs minister when our beloved country was facing the most horible situation in the world and he said nothing (Kikwete).
And now irking with the forgiveness ideas to the same p'ple, why now for the same p'ple? By the he is not the one tell us who to forgive, Rwandans know who and how to forgive so he you and you Kikwete should Rwandan matters to Rwandese them selves.
11:46:13 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 K\'la Ug - Zigama to kadulyu Reply | Close
The problem is that the only source of information you rely is News of Rwanda and New Times. Kikwete was the Minister of Finance in 1994 before he became Minister of Foreign Affairs in November, 1995. Kikwete wishes you well rather than living in the past,
16:21:47 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Mwanza - Manzi to Zigama Reply | Close
Let Bwana Kadulyu tell us some thing about Kikwete giving a red carpet to Twagiramungu and other FDLR members. Is it worth of a sitting president to that to a neighbor?
12:56:53 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - seth to kadulyu Reply | Close
You seem not to understand what you're writing. "...Our forces are operating in Rwanda within the confines of international law....". Get your facts right, forces of the UN intervention brigade are operating in eastern DRC not in Rwanda. and their actions are supposedly meant for the stabilization of eastern Congo not Rwanda as you're trying to put it.
There is no war in Rwanda. Too, you're the one making insinuations when you affirm that "We all know that Rwanda was irked by our accepting to contribute to the UN Mission to restore peace in DRC".
On what basis, do you affirm this? Rwanda itself participates in UN missions, how can it complain about, let alone being irked by, your country's participation in similar missions?
13:13:53 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - Cento to kadulyu Reply | Close
shame on any president who plots for his neighbors
10:20:02 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 kigali - carine Reply | Close
WHEN AFRICAN WILL BE MATURE? ATHERS COUNTRIES OF EAC THEY ARE LOOKING FOR DEVELOPMENT, BUT TANZANIA LOOKS FDLR .IT IS WASTING TIME NO WAR WIIL HAPPEN AGAIN IN OUR COUNTRY.
10:43:11 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 KIGALI - ALOYS Reply | Close
I THINK THAT THE PRESIDENT OF TANZANIA NOT KNOW ,WHAT HAPPENED IN RWANDA DURING GENOCIDE.BUT HE IS DREAMING.
11:00:23 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 NGOMA - JEAN Reply | Close
KIKWETE!!!!. DO YOU KNOW WHAT FDLR DONE IN RWANDA?BUT YOU WIIL PAY OUR PARENTS
11:07:41 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 RWANDA ,KIGALI - MAHORO Reply | Close
Dear Kadulyu from Mwanza, we appreciate TPDF involvement in the regaining of peace by DRC, however your second last sentence, "Any effort or action done by Tanzania is for the good and stability of Rwanda" seems ideal, but what President Kikwete is doing now (meeting enemies of Rwanda) is entirely intended for the instability of Rwanda.
Am sure he is not discussing developmental issues such as how to improve the energy sector, improving general infrastructure etc. He is discussing with them how to accomplish what they started in Rwanda (Genocide).
As Rwandans we feel Kikwete is doing us a de-service as a neighbour. we only need to live in peace and develop our countries, we don't need war. please tell him (Kikwete) to stay away from those guys.
11:11:59 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - Shukuru Reply | Close
I think...we need Development in our region than Fighting each other.....They are a lot of people who are starving, homeless...,are n`t we tired of war...!
Shame is up on to those politicians who think...people can prefer war than peace....Twagiramungu its high time for you to come home and work with other Rwandan people instead of doing something which will not be achievable..."BETTER LATE THAN NEVER"
Oyee... Rwanda, we love you.. and God bless you!
12:42:59 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Gikondo - Mark... Reply | Close
Twagiramungu cannot work. He wants free money, tax payer's money. What can all these fellows on welfare assistance in Europe, USA, SA and Canada do for Rwanda?
Rwanda is already on the best way toward development, there is very good security and stability. Rwanda is open to every Rwandan to come home and there is no discrimination of any kind any more base on ethnicity, Hutu or Tutsi.
There is the "ndumunya Rwanda "program under way to get rid of all these ethnic biases. Hatred based on tribalism, shape, color and religion of Individuals is the main cause of wars and underdevelopment in Africa.
It is a shame on those greedy leaders of Africa who use or want to use these kinds of shameful cards to get to power, twagiramungu , the likes and his supporters included in the shameless team
18:00:02 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Mazimba - Kim to Mark... Reply | Close
peace will forever remain in our Land. we are prayin for it and whoever is even plotin for anything bad, God will deal with them before even the rwandan gvt does, so watch out! God is in Rwanda, he is not dead.
13:21:00 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 nairobi - amy Reply | Close
No facts yet one spends time to write issues that have no base at all. If the man visted TZ what is wrong with that? How did U know what they discussed. ACCORDING TO RWANDA Was it wrong for TZ to kick out M23?
WHY is it then that Rwanda always diny supporting M23? Why can it come up and say yes on its support to M23?
Where in TZ OR ELSE WERE Twagiramungu lives. why dont you talk about the country he has lived for all this time and talk a country he just visted. Do you fear it? Be at peace TZ will never kick b4 one dares to kick it
13:24:30 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Dar es Salaam - Billy Reply | Close
But why alwayz Tanzania ?? Kikwete could u pl'se concentrate on ur c'ntry's issues
14:46:14 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kigali - John mutabazi Reply | Close
what do you do when you have nothing to trade? Do you rely keep in business? Tanzanians with minimum ability to map things politically can see that his regime can only afford buying disaster to his countrymen, nothing else. Wait
01:11:54 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 Dar - mulamba to John mutabazi Reply | Close
Kikwete should not forget that all plots done in his country by Hutu will be accountable by his Government day live any time any day. How can you expell Tutsi in your country, kill them and taking off their belongings and now in a second your dealing with Hutu in a clandestine manner?
Kikwete be informed, we are much watching and alerting you that we aren't going to tolerate more loss of our people as it was in 1994.
15:13:27 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Gikondo kigali - Joseph Muhire Reply | Close
A very well articulated article. well done joseph!! Good neighbouriness is not indicated in the behaviour exhibited by our "dear friend". Rwanda and Rwandans will remain firm any actions aimed at undermining our sovereignity is totally unacceptable
15:23:47 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 musanze - hatrick Reply | Close
Now i know why there are names in Rwanda like "Ntuyenabo,", "Nsekanabo", Ndimubanzi" and in neighbouring Ugandan region Ankole "Tibenderana", "Tibeijuka", "Beitwababo".
Some situations give definition to words i always took lightly. Evil and sadism. The webster dictionary defines evil as "Intentionally causing injury or harm to someone" and sadism goes further viz "the tendency to derive pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others".
Can someone get the bottom-line here? Our resolve as a country will remain as solid as ever. No one can ever plan evil against Rwanda and escape the repercussions. What happened is History.
Even to some History is tormenting them like a ghost. The future belongs to those who will be positive and look at Rwanda in a constructive rather than a destructive perspective.
16:04:56 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Makerere University. - MUNANURA JAMES Reply | Close
FELLOW RWANDANS, LET US STAND FIRM
18:32:43 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Kayonza - Omwiza O Reply | Close
Dar es salaam has nothing against Kigali. If you at what Rwandans are doing to us, trying to tweet negative things about the country, writing negative things about the country and forgetting that we can also do the same; but no one is doing that.
20:04:04 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Dar es salaam - Francis Kessy Reply | Close
I wonder how the author was able to snare into the trap the mind of Rwandans. Most Rwandans comment with the sense of hatred,a gain its a show of small minds.
Why dont you concentrate in building your country and remove hatred among yourselves, instead your debating about Kikwete not knowing that by 2015 he will be a retired president in a most peaceful and stable country in the region.
To the author just stop your ----, we saw a lot of craps during the eviction of illegal migrants from Tanzania and yet nothing happened. Now its another ----....Kikwete helping Rwandans dissident..cant stop myself laughing, WAKE UP RWANDANS...
21:11:33 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 arusha - james Reply | Close
Never will I forget an old man who once told me that "every country gets the kind of the President it deserves"! True or wrong, Tanzania deserve more than Kikwete. At least we have known the Pan-African President Julius Nyerere and the son of Africa Ben. Mkapa.
Tanzania probably deserves a better President after Jakaya, if his speedy rushing to stabilize his own country is curbed by the same Tanzanians - before his mandate is over in the next less than 2 years. Shame on him.
A former country head of Diplomacy, Kikwete ascended to Presidency before he could graduate from international politics. If he did, evidently, the lessons did not include French opaque politics and underneath egocentric interest in Africa.
It is not too late though, if he considers as anything to go by he could opt to establish diplomatic relations with CAR, Libya, Gabon, Bukina Faso and the likes. These could tell him who the French and the brasses are.
Incidentally, the lessons he receives from Kabila and Nkurunziza will unfortunately cause him trouble. If the two were frank with him, they would have advised him, objectively, about how he should relate with Rwanda. It is not too late Kikwete.
21:11:35 Tuesday 28th, January 2014 Rusizi - Abdul Kanoti Reply | Close
Tanzania has been a peaceful country in Africa for long and has been respected for that. But change is terrible! Alliance with evil, betrayal to one's people have got heavy prices to pay and by the tax payer. Kikwete may change the the ever paradise Tanzania into agony for decades. God forbid in the name of my country. This is my dream
00:49:36 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 Nairobi - peter Reply | Close
Kikwete should be seen and known as a foreigner to Tanzanians. The only thing that does not change is change .change is pervasive. Tanzania's long peaceful history in the region may change by the factor of mister Kikwete's alliance with the internationally and regionally famous devil camps. Am not a prophet of doom!!!
01:07:21 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 Dar - kisara Reply | Close
If anyone thought that Tz is bent on distabilising Rwanda then that is utterly shallow thinking. Tz and Rwanda don't compare in anything-definitely not in economic performance, military might, governance, size natural resources and development.
Tz is more than tripple in all areas listed compared to Rwanda but of course Rwandans can continue dreaming. One thing Rwandans have failed to understand is that even shoes have sizes!
No neighbour is interested in distabilising Rwanda.
03:34:39 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 Kigali - Marcel Rwakabamba Reply | Close
Mobutu might have said more than that in 1995. sizes can surprise you my friend.
15:49:16 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 kigali - me to Marcel Rwakabamba Reply | Close
@ Marcel; you are always on the wrong side! The triumph of the country is never the size, if it were then Kikwete and his boyfriend Kabila would be leading the economic over weights of this world - far from that.
On contrary, the country need strong leadership, and one that has integrity - people-centered, fighting corruption, and with less worded but active vision for development. Unfortunately, Kikwete is not the type.
07:48:51 Wednesday 29th, January 2014 Kilosa - Amani Mbena Reply | Close