By Andrew Irumba
Kigali: The government of the republic of Rwanda has canceled the peace deal that was signed with Uganda between Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame in Luanda, Angola in August this year.
The cancellation of the peace agreement was communicated in notice issued by the government of Rwanda to the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday titled NOTE VERBALE.
The Notice, which is signed off without a nameplates, reads thus; “The High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and has the honour to forward this Note Verbale No.516/09.01/CABMIN/19 requesting to postpone the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda scheduled for November 18, 2019. The High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda wishes to avail itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Uganda the assurances of its highest commitment.”
This development however comes a few days after Rwandan military shot dead two Ugandans for allegedly trying to smuggle tobacco into Rwanda.The move also spells doom for the peace talks that were going on between the two countries aimed at restoring peace and economic relations between both states.
Kagame Issues Warning:
President Paul Kagame has warned anyone trying to play games with Rwanda’s security that they will be put “where they belong” and there would be no question about it.
The Head of State sent a frosty warning while delivering a speech at the swearing-in ceremony of new members of cabinet and the military at Parliament on Thursday in the capital Kigali.
He said it is a primary job of his government to ensure there is freedom, security, democracy among others but it is not a job of private individuals.
“I want to warn some people among us. Those who hide behind different things; politics, democracy, freedom or anything that we actually want and it is our responsibility to ensure that there is democracy, peace, security in our country. Primarily we are the ones responsible first and foremost. Me and you,” Kagame said.
The vividly angry President who punctuated his speech with deep breath and gestures and pauses, did not mention any names of people that are sabotaging the country’s security from within.
“People who hide behind this nonsense and are even backed and praised by people from outside…you will see us,” Kagame said without mincing any words, adding that, “For those who are actually involved, they better come clean very fast.”
President Kagame was sending a stern warning against such people that government will not sit back and watch as they continue to revive divisive politics that brought the country onto its knees 25 years ago before it was liberated by the Rwanda Patriotic Front rebels who he commanded.
“You cannot be here benefiting from the peace and security that we have paid for in blood over many years and then you do things behind our backs that cause us problems. We will put you where you belong. There is no question about it,” the President said.
According to the President, some people who have been involved in the tragedy of genocide still continue to play divisive politics and ideology.
He reminded them that they have gone to prison and have also been forgiven but they have started playing those games again.
“We will also put you where you belong. And those who make noises about it. We will see what you do about it. Yes am telling those that play games with this nonsense and want to put us back,” a determined Kagame said.
Anyone following events in Rwanda will be quick to identify the President’s statement with Victoire Ingabire, who last Saturday launched a new political organisation called Dalfa Umurinzi (Development And Liberty For All).
She is among those that benefited from the Presidential pardon last year but says her new political organisation has been created to help her continue with the mission that had been assigned to her by the FDU-Inkingi political pressure group largely active in Diaspora.
President Kagame described such maneuvers as nonsense and warns that those people who want to destabilize Rwanda are going to incur a very high cost on their part absolutely, “I mean it and you know that I mean it,” Kagame warned.
“When it is here we are in charge and responsible. The noise being made from outside or neighboring countries, there is nothing much we can do about it. We didn’t have to prove that we can deal with it but we will prove that we can deal with it,” Kagame noted.
He said his government is going to raise the cost on the part of anybody who wants to destabilize security; “The cost is going to be very high. Whether it is the means we are going to put in to makes sure that we have everything it takes to ensure security of the country and our development.”
Kagame concluded by saying that; “To achieve our goals, the country should have very excellent security. So far where we are, it has become normal and we have taken it for granted. That was right. We will continue to take it for granted.”
