January 19-25, 2015
Media Monitoring Report for Rwanda
Posted on January 26, 2015
Compiled by Berta Fürstová
Report content:
1. Kinshasa protests extended to Rwandan border; Congolese flee into Rwanda
2. Duo handed 20 years for murder of Transparency International staff
1. Kinshasa protest extended to Rwandan border; Congolese flee into Rwanda
Private independent newspapers
News of Rwanda, 22nd January 2015
“‘Rwanda-DRC border tense amid deadly riots, Congolese flee in massive” by Gahiji Innocent
- Deadly protests which have been ongoing for the past week in DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa, have extended to DR Congo-Rwanda border. The protests are following a proposed bill to postpone next year's presidential elections for three years.
- President Joseph Kabila serves his second and last term which ends next year. The protesters are demanding the bill be thrown out of parliament because it is a "plan to extend Kabila's rule".
- The situation at the DR Congo-Rwanda border is tense as hundreds of Congolese began crossing into Rwanda for their safety. Bukavu, a border town with Rwanda has been declared as a 'dead city' by civil society organisations following Wednesday's violent demonstrations which involved looting and vandalism.
- Bukavu Mayor, Filemon Mulolo, insists: "Nothing big happened." But reports say businesses are closed. No open shop and a few people are seen walking on the streets, except the mobs.
- As for Goma, situation worsened Thursday morning after three people were reportedly killed during an accelerating uprising. Sylidio Sebuharara, Kigali Today corespondent in Rubavu says the riots in Goma this morning triggered a massive panic as police swept on the streets shooting live bullets and tear gas. He witnessed hundreds of Congolese fleeing into Rwanda.
- Informal pathways across borders with DRC were all closed. Rwandans were advised to use regular border posts for business.
- Rubavu mayor said Rwandan security forces are ready to act if the violence spills across the border. He said: “Our army is firm to defend the country's sovereignty in case someone attempts to threaten it.”
2. Duo handed 20 years for murder of Transparency International staff
Private but pro-government newspapers
New Times, 23rd January 2015
“Duo handed 20 years for murder of Transparency International staff“ by Jean d'Amour Mbonyinshuti
- Rubavu High Court sentenced two former police officers to 20 years in jail for the murder of Gustave Makonene, the former coordinator of Transparency International Rwanda.
- The prosecutor asked the court to hand the suspects, Corporals Nelson Iyakaremye and Isaac Ndabarinze, the life sentence. But presiding Judge Esron Gashyende, said that although the crime committed usually attracts a life sentence, they received a lighter sentence because they had had confessed, pleaded guilty, and cooperated during both investigations and subsequent proceedings.
- Transparent International Rwanda staff and the deceased's family members said they were shocked by the court's verdict which they said was light compared to the crime committed. They consider to appeal.