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Rwanda: attempt of assassination on exiled army chief

By on June 21, 2010
The former chief of staff of the Rwandan army and a leading critic of President Paul Kagame was shot Saturday in South Africa, where he lives in exile.

For his spouse, Rosette Nyamwasa, the Paul Kagamé’s regime is behind this attack. She said she was certain it was an assassination attempt, since there was no demand for money or goods. General Kayumba is known for his critics towards the Rwandan president. Earlier this year, Rwandan officials accused Nyamwasa of conspiring with another former army officer against Mr. Kagame’s government.
The country’s chief prosecutor accused the two men of being involved in three grenade attacks in the capital, Kigali, in February. Two people were killed and 30 others were wounded.
When he was ambassador in India, the General had returned in the Rwandan capital for diplomats’ meeting. He then ran away to South Africa. But France and Spain have issued arrest warrants against Mr Nyamwasa for his alleged role in the lead-up to and during the genocide, along with other senior RPF figures. Lt Gen Nyamwasa played an important role in the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), led by Mr Kagame, which put a stop to the killing and which is now in power.
Mr Kagame, in power for the last 16 years, is viewed by many in the West as one of Africa’s more dynamic leaders.
However critics have raised concerns about his more authoritarian tendencies and the government has recently been accused of harassing the opposition ahead of the elections.

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