Women protest Kabuye arrest

KIGALI - Thousands of women from across Kigali city Wednesday braved a heavy downpour to add their voice to the protests against the arrest in Germany of Director of State Protocol, Rose Kabuye. It was a very emotional day. The protesters, some with tears’ rolling down their cheeks held banners calling for the immediate release of Kabuye. “Rwandan women are tired of France and Germany’s arrogance and disrespect,” read one of the banners. “We thank all friends of Rwanda who have come up to condemn the injustice against Rwandan women in general and Rose in particular. She is among the women who stopped the 1994 Tusti Genocide and as women we demand for her immediate release,” read another. The nonviolent demonstration which lasted over four hours was attended by women from all walks of life visibly disappointed that perpetrators of the Genocide continue to enjoy life in Europe while the heroes who stopped it are being threatened with arrest. They presented their protest message in five languages, including German. Germany also harbours Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDRL), an outfit composed of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide of Tutsis. “The main message from Rwandan women to the western world is that Rose is innocent and that is why she took the trip despite the warnings. The indictment against Rwandan officials is a gimmick to blur the role of France in the Genocide,” read the message in part. The women who kept on chanting “we want our Rose back” were fighting for a cause that was also widely joined by the African Union and some members of the European Union. Eugenie Musayidire, a Rwandan with German citizenship and whose husband and children live in Germany described the whole scenario as comic and shameful. “I am a German but standing here without fear to condemn actions by a country where the whole of my family lives,” the 54 year old mother of four said. Ndabaga Women Association comprising women who participated in the country’s liberation struggle who stopped the Tutsi genocide also firmly called for Kabuye’s release. They sang songs they used to sing during the liberation war. Police had to be firm on the Gatsata women council, who threatened to sleep at the German embassy until Kabuye is set free. ‘‘We want our woman. Rose is a hero. If you are to arrest the innocent, come take us all,” they challenged. “We are fed up with these imperial politics,” their banners read. Senator Aloysia Inyumba and Angelina Muganza were also among the demonstrators. Meanwhile, the German Ambassador to Rwanda, Christian Clages was Tuesday given 48 hours to leave the country and Rwanda’s envoy to Germany, Eugene Richard Gasana, recalled for consultations in protest over the arrest which government terms as politically motivated. Ends

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Women protest Kabuye arrest