from KELVIN JAKACHIRA in Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda Bureau
KIGALI, (CAJ News) – RWANDA has identified South Africa as one of the countries in southern Africa that is hosting individuals that have been sanctioned by the local Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC for terrorism and terrorism financing.
In a new sanctions list released by the east African country’s FIC South Africa together with Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are hosting individuals accused of seeking to destabilise Rwanda and effect regime change through the barrel of the gun.
Rwanda’s FIC list includes members of the FDLR, a Democratic Republic of Congo-based Rwandan militia linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and other militia groups.
According to the list, Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, one of the founding members of the RNC, is living in Pretoria, South Africa. The 67-year-old has been convicted in absentia on charges of grenade attacks in the City of Kigali between 2010-2013. The FIC, says Nyamwasa, has direct connections with the FDLR command.
Frank Ntwali who represents RNC in southern Africa is also listed as being based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is accused of coordinating recruitment for RNC and the P5 group, a rogue militia set up by people who have committed atrocities and plans to conduct military attacks on Rwanda. Ntwali is further accused of having liaisons with FDLR to coordinate terror activities against Rwanda.
Major Alphonse Munyarugendo, alias Monaco Dollar, who is accused of being the coordinator of the FDLR in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is said to be living in Maputo, Mozambique, where he is accused of coordinating fundraising activities to support FDLR terror activities.
He is further accused of supporting terrorism against Rwanda. The 59-year-old was among the original commanders of ALIR, a precursor to FDLR, that was accused of committing terror attacks on Rwandan territory.
Another renegade, Colonel Sylvestre Sebahinzi, is said to be based in Lusaka, Zambia. Also known as Zinga Zinga ZZ, the list says Col Sebahinzi is a member of the FDLR and an active mobiliser of financial support for the terror group, especially in the southern African region. The 64-year-old businessman is said to be a nephew of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana.
Rwanda’s FIC says between 2006-2009, Col Sebahinzi commanded terror attacks when he was the FDLR sector commander. “He also served as FDLR prosecutor in Kangaroo courts that executed many innocent civilians in DR Congo,” the FIC said. He is connected to the FDLR and its financial flows.
Topping the list is 76-year old Lt Gen Gaston Iyamuremye, the president of the FDLR, who is also known as Victor Byiringiro, Rumuri. Iyamuremye, who is based in Walikale, eastern DR Congo. He is also under sanctions by the UN Security Council and the US government. Iyamuremye is accused of involvement in planning and coordinating terrorism activities by FDLR targeting Rwanda, extortion, illegal taxation and plundering of natural resources for financing terrorism activities.
Another Walikale based renegade sanctioned by Rwanda’s FIC is 61-year-old Maj Gen Pacifique ‘Omega’ Ntawunguka, the commander of the FDLR-FOCA. Ntawunguka is accused of involvement in planning and coordinating terrorism activities by FDLR targeting Rwanda, extortion, illegal taxation and plundering of natural resources for financing terrorism activities.
Other renegades listed on the sanctions’ list are dotted around other African countries, the US, United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Canada.
They include 54-year old Maj Gen Antoine Hakizimana, alias Jeva, believed to be currently based in Bujumbura, Burundi. He is listed as the military chief of CNRD-FLN, who coordinated terrorist attacks on Nyaruguru and Kitabi inside Rwanda. He is said to have direct links with FDLR commanders, such as Victor Byiringiro.
Sylivestre Nduwayezu, alias Jet Lee, is accused of involvement in the planning and coordination of terror attacks against Rwanda and recruitment in Rwanda and Uganda. According to the list he is currently based in Kampala, Uganda, Nduwayezu is said to be connected to P5 and RUD-Urunana.
Maj Robert Higiro, alias Gasisi, is listed as a member of the P5 terror group. Currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, Higiro is accused of fundraising for RNC terror activities and coordinating RNC activities in the region, including training.
Another one listed is Faustin Ntirikina also known as Pacifique Zigabe, who is said to have French citizenship. He is accused of recruiting for RUD-Urunana, a militia that attacked Kinigi, Musanze District, western Rwanda in October 2019.
Also based in France is 64-year old Dr Innocent Biruka, alias Mitali who is listed as the secretary general of CNRD-FLN. He is accused of being actively involved in coordinating communication between terrorist groups targeting Rwanda and claimed a 2018 FLN attack on Yanze model village in Nyaruguru District. Biruka is said to be currently based in Alsace and has French citizenship.
In France again, the list says Maj Jacques Kanyamibwa, a member of FDLR, is based in Toulouse, France. He is accused of mobilizing funds for terrorism financing and participation in coordination of 2019 RUD-Urunana attacks on Kinigi.
Thomas Nahimana the president of Ishema party who is listed as living in Le Havre, France. Nahimana is accused of coordinating terror groups and incitement to terrorism against Rwanda.
Then there is Belgian based 53-year old Eric Munyemana, who is listed as the vice president and coordinator of FLN terrorist activities and in charge of fundraising for terror financing. He is listed as having Belgian citizenship and currently based in Flanders Region, Belgium.
Gaspard Musabyimana is listed as a businessman based in Brussels, Belgium. He is accused of advocating for terror groups and being an active supporter of FDLR and publicizing its activities.
Another renegade listed as living in Belgium is Placide Kayumba who is accused of involvement in the formation of the joint armed group P5 and of being instrumental in linking the FDU with FDLR.
Also listed as living in Belgium is Augustin Munyaneza accused of being a member of FDU-Inkingi and a sympathizer of FDLR-FOCA and P5.
Then there is Michel Niyibizi, who is listed as living in Tournai Commune, Belgium. He is accused of coordinating fundraising activities for FDLR-FOCA and P5.
Rwanda’s FIC lists Dr Emmanuel Hakizimana, as living in Montreal, Canada. He is accused of being a co-founder of the RNC and serving the MRCD movement. He is accused of recruiting for terror activities and terrorism financing. Now based in Montreal, Canada, Hakizimana is connected to Kayumba Nyamwasa.
London-based Abdulkarim Ali Nyarwaya, alias Dick Nyarwaya, is listed as a member of the terror organisation P5. He is accused of supporting terrorism against Rwanda, fundraising and mobilization of funds for terror activities. Nyarwaya is said to be a close associate of Kayumba Nyamwasa.
Also listed as living in London is Jonathan Musonera, who is accused of mobilizing funds for NEW-RNC terror activities against Rwanda and advocacy and incitement to commit terrorism against the country. According to the list, he has connection with RNC and Kayumba Nyamwasa
Theogene Rudasingwa, alias Redcom, is listed as living in Washington. He is accused of being among the founders of RNC and masterminded the 2010-2013 grenade attacks in Kigali. According to the list, in 2013, he initiated collaboration between RNC and FDLR-FOCA. He is said to collaborate with FDLR commanders, especially Gen Ntawunguka.
Ignace Rusagara, listed as a member of the RNC/P5 is based in Maine, USA, according to Rwanda’s FIC. He is accused of supporting terrorism and promoting FDLR objectives and defending its actions., Rusagara is a spokesperson of RNC.
Another renegade listed as living in Washington, USA is Jean-Paul Turayishimiye who is among the founding members of RNC. He is accused of supporting, recruiting and planning for RAC-Urunana terrorist activities. He deserted military service and has been instrumental in organizing P5 terror activities.
The list also identifies Christine Coleman Uwizera as an FLN supporter based in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is accused of incitement to commit terror acts against Rwanda. She is linked to FDLR-FOCA, P5 and FLN.
– CAJ News