Skip to main content

Kagame, Bashir: Birds of the same feather…


Kagame, Bashir: Birds of the same feather…

"In fact it is too late. I don't know why I didn't invite him for my inauguration…" Those were the words Kagame used, while responding to a question as to why he didn't invite Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir for his inauguration ceremony last month. For those who know a thing about African politics, it was a real surprise to see Gen. Bashir missing, as all other African despots especially from west and central Africa were in Kigali, albeit for an MDG meeting at the time.

Apparently, Kagame and Bashir have a lot in common that I think the latter should have been the chief guest in Kigali when Kagame was crowned. The two are army generals who seized power through the gun, established ruthless military governments in their respective countries and are among the world's worst dictators; they both feature on 'Foreign Policy's list detailing the 23 'worst of the worst dictators' released recently. Simply put, both enjoy a comfortable rating on the list of African dictators.
But that's not all; the two are targets of international criminal justice, carrying indictments, with Bashir's immunity even lifted for his human rights excesses in the western Darfur region of the Sudan. Kagame is still 'safe', but that has not deterred peace and human rights activists from pointing out his excesses including leading an army that murdered civilians both in Rwanda and DRC. Not surprising therefore, the two are 'enemies' of the International Criminal
Court (ICC) and other international justice instruments and, as the investigations about genocide committed against the Hutu in DRC continue, it is likely that Kagame may find himself in Bashir's situation (immunity lifted), thereby sealing their commonalities.
It is important to note that much as the ICC may not be independent, it remains the best choice of for seeking redress for international crimes committed by thoughtless leaders that are responsible for the human rights violations in Rwanda, the DRC and the Sudan.
So, for Kagame to deny in a recent interview that Rwanda's policy on the Hague-based court was not informed by the indictments against President Bashir and his officers, but by the 'whole background and concept of ICC', is preposterous.
And only a handful if any can believe his words! As a matter of fact, even when Kagame's officers were indicted, he was never heard criticizing the ICC or any other international justice instrument, so why the sudden change of heart? It is the inevitable realization that just like Bashir, the noose befitting those who abuse human rights is also tightening around Kagame's neck. And fast!
Interestingly, despite all allegations against the two, Kagame still has the audacity to hoodwink the world with the 'never again' slogan against genocide, claiming that that is what African leaders stand for today. But his hobnobbing with Bashir, an indicted genocidaire is all but telling.
So, his apparent recalcitrance when asked why he didn't invite Bashir should not be taken as a joke; the two are now good bedfellows, share ideals, and are 'true African leaders'.
On the contrary however, his apparent sarcasm while responding to the invitation question should not bluff anyone because it is common knowledge that Kagame depends on the US for political survival, which means he didn't want to infuriate Uncle Sam by extending an invitation to al-Bashir, a figure of questionable popularity in the corridors of power in Washington.
But, knowing African leaders and God willing if both men are still alive, come 2017 Kagame will certainly invite Bashir because they will still be in power, afraid of stepping down for fear of the attendant repercussions, administered by global instruments of justice and executed by organizations like the ICC. Indeed, Kagame and Bashir represent pure impunity, which makes them birds of a feather…
The writer is the Managing Editor, The Newsline
E-mail: charlesk@newslineea.com
Tel: (+256) 788 053249




Featured News
Rwanda and Syria joined a list...
Read more...
Copyright © 2008 - 2010 Newsline Ea. All rights reserved.


It doesn't depent on you whether or not I exist. If you don't like me, don't accept my invitation and don't invite me to come and see you. Whether you like it or not, history is on my side, I will bury you.
Jean-Christophe, Utrecht,April 3rd, 2004.
Nothing but Human rights. We Will Win ! 
__._,_.___
Activités récentes:

"Le monde ne sera pas détruit par ceux qui font le mal mais par ceux qui regardent et refusent d'agir", Albert EINSTEIN.

Les messages publiés sur DHR n'engagent que la responsabilité de leurs auteurs.

CONSIDERATION, TOLERANCE, PATIENCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT towards the reinforcement of GOOD GOVERNANCE,DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS in our states.

Liability and Responsibility: You are legally responsible, and solely responsible, for any content that you post to DHR. You may only post materials that you have the right or permission to distribute electronically. The owner of DHR cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of any statements made in or materials posted to the group by participants.

Maître Innocent  TWAGIRAMUNGU
DHR FOUNDER&OWNER
Tél.mobile: 0032- 495 48 29 21


UT UNUM SINT

" BE NICE TO PEOPLE ON YOUR WAY UP, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT MEET THEM ON YOUR WAY DOWN." Jimmy DURANTE.

COMBATTONS la haine SANS complaisance, PARTOUT et avec Toute ENERGIE!!!!!!
Let's  rather prefer Peace, Love , Hope and Life, and get together as one!!! Inno TWAGIRA
.

__,_._,___

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

[RwandaLibre] Rwanda : 19 ans après les massacres de Kibeho restent toujours impunis

  http://www.fdu-rwanda.com/ Rwanda : 19 ans après les massacres de Kibeho restent toujours impunis avril 22, 2014     Ce 22 avril 2014 est un triste anniversaire. Souvenons-nous, en effet, c'est à cette date que plus de 8'000 réfugiés dans le camp de Kibeho furent tués à l'arme lourde et aux lance-roquettes des soldats du Front Patriotique Rwandais. Des dizaines de milliers de rescapés du camp qui ont tenté ensuite de s'échapper ont été froidement abattus sur leur chemin de retour, les uns, jetés dans des fosses communes, d'autres, jonchés tout le long des routes, d'autres enfin, tout simplement disparus, sans la moindre trace.   Le camp de réfugiés de Kibeho abritait près de 200000 personnes. Que l'on se rappelle, c'est peu avant le 17 avril 1995 que, sous le prétexte fallacieux de démantèlement de prétendus arsenaux d'armes, six bataillons de l'armée du FPR (2000 hommes) et de la...

[AfricaRealities.com] Rwanda court hears case to block third presidential term

  Wednesday's supreme court case was quickly adjourned after the lawyer for the Democratic Green Party failed to appear. One party official told Reuters lawyers had been fearful about taking on the case.  The court panel of nine judges led by Chief Justice Sam Rugege adjourned and set the next hearing for July 29. http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0PI11X20150708?irpc=932 Email Facebook Twitter By Clement Uwiringiyimana KIGALI (Reuters) - Rwanda's main opposition party opened a case in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to prevent constitutional change that would allow President Paul Kagame to run for a third term seven-year in office. The debate about term limits and challenges to veteran leaders has flared in several places in Africa. The United States and other Western nations have been pressing African leaders to stick to constitutional rules on presidential terms. Wednesday's supreme court case was quickly adjourned...

[AfricaWatch] Rwanda 2014: 24 years after the Ugandan invasion

  http://sfbayview.com/2014/rwanda-2014-24-years-after-the-ugandan-invasion/#.U1cA6yfqdSQ.facebook Rwanda 2014: 24 years after the Ugandan invasion April 17, 2014 4 by  Ann Garrison KPFA Evening News, broadcast April 13, 2014 Claude Gatebuke survived the mass killing in Rwanda and founded the African Great Lakes Action Network (AGLAN) to promote truth and reconciliation in Rwanda and the rest of the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Twenty-four years after the Ugandan invasion of Rwanda in October 1990, both the history of the four-year war that followed and realities of life on the ground in Rwanda today are fiercely disputed. Claude Gatebuke survived the violence and founded the African Great Lakes Action Network (AGLAN) to promote truth and reconciliation in Rwanda and the rest of the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Transcript KPFA Evening News Anchor Anthony Fest : The United Nations commemorated the mass killing that came to be known ...

-“The enemies of Freedom do not argue ; they shout and they shoot.”

-“The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.”

-“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”

-“I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.”

IRIN - Great Lakes

UN News Centre - Africa