International
US Legislators trample Rwandan judiciary to free terror kingpin
The
US House of Representatives has once again trampled on Rwanda’s judiciary and
sovereignty by calling for the release of Paul Rusesabagina, a terror kingpin
serving a 25-year sentence for terrorism.
Resolution
H.Res.892, sponsored by Representative Castro Joaquin (D-TX-20) and voted
unanimously by the Congress, on July 14, 2022, calls on the Rwandan government
to immediately release Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
To
many Rwandans, the word “humanitarian” should never be evoked in the same
sentence with Rusesabagina, a man who was and probably still is, the leader of
an armed terrorist militia group, MRCD/FLN which, over three years ago, wreaked havoc in south-western Rwanda.
His
militia have been killing, maiming people, and caused a lot of damage to
property. When he declared war to topple
the Rwandan government “by all means possible”, he announced his full support
to his militia; and didn’t show any humanity. Why is it that the US Congress
believes that he deserves empathy this time around?
At
different times in 2018, the armed militia
founded and funded by this terror convict, ambushed and torched buses
carrying innocent civilians who were travelling from Rusizi town to the capital
Kigali. They also attacked and ransacked Nyabimata sector.
Victims
included13-year-old Ornella Sine Atete from Gasabo District, Kigali. Her dreams
were cut short because of the ambition of the man the US Congress wants
released. What’s also perplexing is that the
resolution is built around flimsy grounds, unworthy of respected institution like the US
Congress.
US
lawmakers were made to believe that Rusesabagina was lured from his home in
Texas by the Rwandan government. Hollywood
heroics cited in the resolution and the fact he’s “a Presidential Medal of Freedom
Honoree” cannot redeem Rusesabagina from his odious crimes. It’s also
hypocritical to criticise Rwanda for luring him to Rwanda to answer for his
crimes.
For
these US legislators, Rusesabagina “was extra judicially transferred from Texas to Dubai, but they
never condemned Sweden for arresting Hamid Nouri, 61, in 2019, after he was
lured in the country for his alleged role in killing political prisoners in
1988. This is pure double standards.
In
October 2013, Belgium tricked Mohamed Abdi Hassan, also known as Big Mouth,
into coming to Brussels. He was wanted for having been involved in hijacking a
Belgian vessel. He was arrested upon arrival. Did the US condemn Belgium for
this? No.
The
Resolution also recaps the same false allegations used by Rusesabagina’s family
and a web of his lobbyists to attract sympathy for the man who wanted to
overthrow Rwanda’s legitimate government by violent means.
They
have been trumpeting that Rusesabagina didn’t get a fair trial, and that his
conviction was not fair. The trial of Rusesabagina and his 20 co-accused, by
the High Court was done in the open, with full access by journalists, and
diplomats.
It’s
arrogant and highly patronising to insinuate that the Rwandan judicial system is unable to carry out a fair trial.
Allegations that his presumption of innocence, and his right to prepare his
defence were not respected are pure lies.
The
Congress also calls for a trial by a competent, independent, and impartial
tribunal applying international standards as does the US Congress smacks of the
usual arrogance the global north shows to the global south. This is total
disregard to the competencies of the Rwandan High Court.
The
last inane argument made by the US Congress is that because Rusesabagina is “a
cancer survivor and he suffers from a cardiovascular disorder,” and that his
family alleges that he missed many appointments, and he should be released
immediately.
First,
these members of Congress should know that when Rusesabagina embarked on his
evil enterprise, he was suffering from the same diseases. He should have
weighed up the risks. The Rwandan penitentiary has always ensured he gets proper medical care.
These
lawmakers should know that Rwanda is not
the US's 51st State, and it doesn’t take orders from alien entities like
the US Congress. Rusesagina has never shown any remorse for the crimes
committed by his armed militia. Nothing indicates that once released, he will
not pursue the same ambition which landed him in trouble in the first place.