African Great Lakes Observer

  Rwanda: Why Are Some Memorial Sites in Bad Shape? 30 April 2014 , By Theophile Harushyamagara, Source: Focus Recently, while speaking to National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations, Protais Mitali, the Minister of Sports and Culture, had to explain the causes "of bad status" of some of the 1994 Genocide memorial sites across the country. While the minister agreed some memorial sites are in a poor condition and promises a new law that is meant to reverse the case, in meantime, pleas are coming to find immediate solutions to the problem. "Us, whose relative's remains lie in the Rukumberi memorial site, we are really sad. We would be delighted if this site was upgraded and put up to required standards," said Callixte Kabandana, the president of Rukumberi survivors' association in Ngoma, Eastern Province. Rukumberi memorial site, where remains of at least 35,000 kill...

  Teaching Difficult Histories: Rwanda's Post-Genocide Experience Posted by carylsue EDUCATION Educators and politicians are debating what some call the "official narrative" of the past, a broadly accepted account that roots the causes of the genocide in the colonial period. Some allege that this historical account downplays certain realities, including the murder of many thousands of Hutu, and favors what some describe as a "univocal narrative" that is managed by the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front. (National Geographic News) Use our resources for guidance in teaching difficult and contested histories. A Hutu boy, orphaned by the war in Rwanda, draws pictures of Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front soldiers shooting small stick figures who represent Hutus. Many Rwandan Hutus think their role in the Rwandan civil war is being re-written in an "official narrative" school c...

  Uganda: Investors buying a stake in Rwanda's renaissance Kampala (HAN) April 30, 2014 . IGAD2020 Weekly Regional economic update. When mass murder and destruction broke out in Rwanda two decades ago, 12-year-old Ashish Thakkar and his family were among millions of refugees who had to run for their lives. Thakkar and his family took cover at a hotel in Kigali, which was famously portrayed in the Hollywood film 'Hotel Rwanda', with hundreds of other displaced families. Earlier this month Thakkar, now 32, returned to Kigali to announce that his new investment vehicle Atlas Mara is buying a stake in the commercial banking subsidiary of the state-owned Development Bank of Rwanda. Atlas Mara was founded by Thakkar and former Barclays boss Bob Diamond with the aim of acquiring stakes in existing African banks and financial institutions. In December 2013, the company raised US$325 million through an i...

  ICC Congo witness on hunger strike over asylum bid 30/04/2014 A Congolese witness who implicated President Joseph Kabila in testimony at the International Criminal Court has gone on hunger strike over his stalled Dutch asylum bid, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Floribert Ndjabu has been placed under medical observation at the ICC's detention unit in The Hague, where he has been held for over three years after seeking asylum in the Netherlands, fearing prosecution if he is sent back to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), lawyer Ghislain Mabanga told AFP. "This is the last option, all other paths have been blocked, all procedures at the ICC have been exhausted," Mabanga said. "He will be on hunger strike until a solution is found," he said: "He's doing badly, he's very weak." The ICC was not immediately available for comment. Ndjabu is one of three ...

  http://www.anngarrison.com/audio/2014/04/23/500/western-leaders-shrill-on-ugandas-anti-gay-bill-silent-on-uganda-heading-the-un Western leaders shrill on Uganda's anti-gay bill, silent on Uganda heading the UN General Assembly Submitted by  Ann Garrison  on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 18:14 play stop mute 00:00 00:00 Milton Allimadi, Ugandan American Editor of the New York City-based Black Star News KPFA Morning Mix, broadcast 04.23.2013  Ugandan American newspaper editor Milton Allimadi spoke to KPFA Morning Mix host Anthony Fest and KPFA's Ann Garrison about his Black Star News editoria​l " Electing Kutesa Gen. Museveni's Top Spokesperson UN General Assembly President Would Reward Corruption, Tyranny And Homophobia ."   Transcript:    Anthony Fest : The United Nations General Assembly will soon be choosing a president. The President presides over the General Assembl...

  https://storify.com/steveinafrica/the-gospel-of-kizito?utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=storify-pingback&utm_campaign=&awesm=sfy.co_hh7Q The Gospel of Kizito: From Choirboy to Prodigal Son A symbol of Rwandan reconciliation has been charged with terrorism. Even the faithful are losing confidence in the beloved young leader. Despite a confession, many say the case doesn't add up. Here's how it has unfolded so far. (updated 29 April at 14:30:00) by @steveinafrica __._,_.___ Reply via web post • Reply to sender • Reply to group • Start a New Topic...

  http://en.rsf.org/rwanda-wave-of-intimidation-of-kigali-28-04-2014,46184.html Internet United Nations Helping journalists Safety of journalists Sochi HOME PAGE  -  AFRICA  -  RWANDA WAVE OF INTIMIDATION OF KIGALI MEDIA PUBLISHED ON MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014.  Print  Send   français   Reporters Without Borders is worried by the deteriorating environment for the media in Rwanda in recent weeks. In the past few weeks, a journalist has been arrested, at least two others have fled abroad, and a news website has been hacked. While apparently not linked, these events have helped to fuel a climate of fear and self-censorship among media personnel. Cassien Ntamuhanga , a journalist at the Christian radio station  Amazing Grace , appeared at a trial hearing in Kigali on 24 April on charges of endangering state security, complicity in terrorism, and treason. Three other defendants including the very popular ...