Pro-Kabuye protests planned across Europe

Demonstrations against the Germany November 9 arrest of the Director of State Protocol, Rose Kabuye, are expected to be carried out at different German Embassies in Europe. Some of the confirmed protests are expected to take place in the United Kingdom and in Sweden where Rwandans living in those countries and their friends have finalised preparations. The UK based Rwandese Community Association, (RCA), will on Tuesday, November 18, demonstrate at the German Embassy located in London, Chesham Place, 23 Belgravia Square. According the Chairman of the Rwandese Diaspora in the UK, Ignatius Mugabo, RCA has already organised demonstrations against continuing French hostility and injustice meted against Rwanda and her people. “…this follows the arrest and detention of Director of State Protocal Rose Kabuye in Germany on a politically motivated indictment issued by French judge against Rwandan leaders,” says his communication. The Tuesday protests in the UK are expected to kick off at 1p.m up to 5p.m. According to Mugabo, thousands of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda are expected to turn up for the demonstrations. “Evidence of France’s role in the killings of over a million Rwandan has been adduced but instead of owning up, France, has embarked on a campaign to convince the rest of the world that the victims of the Genocide were the perpetrators. We are shocked that any country could believe this but we are also sure that this is a lie whose time to beexposed has come,” Mugabo said in a protest email. He added: “RCA, therefore, calls upon all Rwandans, friends of Rwanda and other peace-loving people to come out and condemn France’s attempt to poison other countries and turn them against our country, which is trying to rebuild itself following a French-aided Genocide of 1994. We call upon all EU nations and other countries of the world not to accept France’s dirty games against Rwanda.”According to Mugabo’s email, RCA has sought and obtained the permission of the Metropolitan Police making assurances that the protests will be peaceful and civilised. “We therefore ask everyone turning up for this protest to respect these principles as we shall not tolerate any acts of violence, racism or violation of the law,” the email reads further. The demonstrators will assemble at Hyde Park Tube Station (Nightsbridge exit) at 1pm and then proceed to the German Embassy. The New Times has also learnt that Rwandans living in Sweden have finalised preparations for similar protests. Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that the Swedish demonstrations will take place on Tuesday at 10.00a.m in front of the German Embassy in Stockholm. From there, the demonstrators are expected to proceed to the French Embassy also based in Stockholm. Other planned demonstrations in Europe are yet to be confirmed but are all expected to be conducted in a calm and secure environment. These demonstrations follow the just concluded one in the United States of America which drew scores of Rwandans and Americans alike, who protested Kabuye’s arrest. The demonstration was held outside the venue of the G20 Summit, a gathering of leading industrial powers such as the US, Japan and Germany, and emerging market countries such as China, India and Brazil - representing 85 percent of the world economy. Ends

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Pro-Kabuye protests planned across Europe