Zambia and Rwanda have agreed to work together in identifying possible genocide suspects who may be living in Zambia as refugees so that they can be repatriated to Rwanda to undergo the due process of the law for their part in genocide which left over one million people dead in 1994.
The two countries have also agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Commission, JPC, which was signed in 1982, to serve as a platform for regular consultations and cooperation in various sectors.
This is part of the outcome of President Rupiah Banda’s bilateral talks he held with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda today.
In a joint press briefing with his Rwandan counterpart Louise Mushikiwabo at the end of the two leaders’ meeting held at the presidential office in the capital Kigali today, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande said as a strong advocate of human rights and the rule of law, Zambia cannot allow any genocide suspect to take refuge on its soil.
Mr. Pande said the process of identifying genocide suspects will be carried out in close collaboration between the Ministries of Justice of Zambia and Rwanda.
He said the genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994 in which over one million people were killed, was a sad event which Africa and humanity as a whole should never allow to happen again.
“We should all learn a lesson from what happened here and ensure it never happens again. The genocide is also a reminder that ethnic and tribal sentiments can have grave consequences on society,” said Mr. Pande.
The minister said Presidents Banda and Kagame also discussed various bilateral and regional issues including peace and security in the region, ahead of the forthcoming African Union, AU, summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the end of this month.
On the Joint Permanent Commission, JPC, Mr. Pande said the two governments are in a hurry to have it operational and agreed that the first meeting should be held not later than June this year.
This will mark the beginning of regular contacts between Rwanda and Zambia to exchange views on various issues of mutual interest.
And Rwanda has paid tribute to Zambia for her support at both bilateral and regional levels.
Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, during a joint press briefing with Mr. Pande, said among other attributes, Zambia played a key role in Rwanda’s admission to the membership of the Commonwealth.
“We thank Zambia for her support to Rwanda in many areas. Among them is the fact that Zambia was instrumental in lobbying the international community to have Rwanda admitted to the Commonwealth for which we are most grateful,” said Ms Mushikiwabo.
She said Rwanda is eager to have the JPC revived to serve as a vehicle for deepening and broadening cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier, president Banda visited the Kigali Memorial Centre where the remains of quarter a million victims of the 1994 genocide, are buried.
Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and several Rwandan Cabinet Ministers, President Banda laid a wreath on one of the mass graves at the memorial centre in honour of the genocide victims.
The president was later taken on a conducted tour of the centre during which he was briefed on the events and factors which led to the 1994 genocide.
President Banda who arrived in Kigali yesterday for a two-day working visit, has since flown back home.
He was seen off at Kigali international airport by Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, Zamba’s Deputy High Commissioner to Tanzania Patrick Ngoma and other Zambian and Rwandan government officials.
ZANIS
Iyo yeve izashupa ka….I am sure most them have even blended in so smoothly since nachitundu nacho it’s so similar and very easy to learn considering the years they have stayed in Zed. To distinguish one chifita from all bachifita? Kaya…..:o
It would be a sad story for Zambia to be used to hunt down the Rwandese who fled their country as a result of civil war. Zambia sent a peace keeping contigent and most of the men and women who served there are still alive carry with them fresh memories of how defenceless pipo where butchured by PF. Thse guys they have fused in our society and have brought some business ideas such using containers as tuntebas, corner homeshops and transport business. I am sure the FTJ regime had competent men and women who know things better. On this one lets not be pushed by others to settle their old scores. The brutality in the Great Lakes Region is not new. Zambia has hosted alot of refuges before and never yielded to pressure from South Africa and Rhodesia forces to surrender refuges. Let us keep out
# 2 Investigator, No, no,no! If it is found that these Rwandese we are keeping here participated in the Genocide, then they must be hunted down like the dogs they are!! Its easier to feel pity when non of your relatives were butchered like that! Its criminals like that, that will one day organize a similar thing in Zambia and then, where will you run to? Rwanda?[-x
I agree with you Ba Moze. If there are any Rwandese who participated in the Genocide in our Zambia then justice has to be done. There is no smoke without fire! Our intelligence officers will work on it.
It’s true any refugees found to be connected to the genocide must face up to their deeds. But Zambia cannot be buried by these people. Just recently they were accusing Zambia of hidding criminals, forgetting that it was Zambia that arrested the first genocide suspects and sent them to Arusha for trials. Also the Rwandese Govt is known to use this line to get involved in other countries. Look at Congo for example, they have caused several wars there with the same excuse. Only to go in and steal minirals.
Do you guys really think that all refugees are connected to the genocide? Don’t think that’s a catchy line for the Rwandese govt to eliminate it’s opponents? I smell a rat here!