AfroAmerica Network
Kigali, Rwanda
03.03.01
The Rwandan Prime Minister will soon be replaced by a Rwandan exile and Belgian citizen living in Belgium.
The Rwandan government has appointed Bernardin Ndashimye as Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office. According to political sources, he is expected to replace Bernard Makuza as Prime Minister.
The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) that has ruled Rwanda with an iron fist since July 1994 is unhappy with Makuza. An RPF official who has asked to stay anonymous says, "Makuza is a very quiet man who shows up at his office regularly, who does not bother anybody, who does not open his mouth, and who ultimately does nothing. No one knows whether he exists except when Radio Rwanda says so".
The same source says Rwandan President General Paul Kagame will soon run for the presidency to please foreign aid donors. He needs a Prime Minister who can mobilize Hutu, has roots in Gitarama, and is well connected to former Hutu politicians who lead the social revolution of 1959.
Ndashimye hails from Nyamabuye, Gitarama, the birth of the social revolution of 1959. Until early April 1994 he was one of the leaders of Inkuba or Thunders, a youth movement of the Democratic Republican Movement (MDR). He left Rwanda in early April 1994 and fled to Belgium where he pursued a law degree. After graduation and obtaining Belgian citizenship, he joined the Belgian civil service.
While in Belgium he tried to collaborate with former Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu and also to maintain contacts with RPF through Aloysia Inyumba, a close aide to Kagame. Some Rwandan exiles have accused him of spying on them on behalf of the RPF.
Ndashimye is a great speaker who can energize audiences. As the leader of Inkuba, he presided over many events known as kubohoza or liberating. During such events Inkuba forced out of office or converted by force former National Revolutionary Movement for Development (MRND) supporters. In the process Inkuba damaged or stole properties, and allegedly committed murders.
The RPF has also appointed Amandin Rugira as chief of staff in the Prime Minister's Office. Officially Rugira belongs to MDR but informed sources told AfroAmerica Network that he joined the RPF in a secret ceremony some time ago. A person who joins this organization swears to uphold the rules and practices of the RPF. A violation of these rules and practices carries the death penalty.
AfroAmerica Network, March, 2001.
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Soon to come: Coverage on Rwandan Refugees in the Republic of Congo.