Thanks alot, all. @A_ThorpeUK, I checked on the team last night, after their training session.
They are in great spirits, looking forward to the 🏊♂️ 🥽 🏊♂️ races!
📢 Only 1 day left until #GAISAfrica2025!
We are counting down hours to when the global AI ecosystem will converge in Kigali.
Follow the conversations via #GAISAfrica2025 as thought leaders and innovators explore answers that will shape Africa’s AI future.
Stay tuned!
📅: 3–4 April 2025 | Kigali, Rwanda
@RwandaICT@wef@RealSmartAfrica@rwictchamber
"300 Tutsi homes burned to the ground in Nturo by FDLR!"
A report by Bojana Coulibaly
As part of a book project on the Mechanisms of Genocide Ideology in North Kivu, my research partner and I went to investigate the infamous attack on the village of Nturo which took place in October 2023.
➡️ After conducting interviews with Nturo residents, we found that Nturo had about 300 homes owned by Congolese Tutsi. They were attacked by #FDLR on October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2023. This was 6 months after the #M23 withdrew from 80% of their previously controlled territory in the Rutshuru and Masisi areas, and one month before the withdrawal of the EAC forces.
➡️ During the main attack, the area was under control of the Burundian EAC contingent.
➡️ We found out that after the #M23 withdrew in March 2023, the 300 Nturo families were systematically targeted by FDLR-Nyatura-Wazalendo. The residents were persecuted and had to pay monthly taxes for cattle and land ownership to the #FDLR. People were killed when they could not pay the taxes.
➡️ The FDLR attacked Nturo several times after M23 withdrew, on the watch of the Burundian EAC forces. All the Nturo residents we interviewed agree that the Burundian EAC soldiers gave a green light to the FDLR-Nyatura-Wazalendo on the day of the main attack. This was confirmed in a video by one of the assailants. The complicity of the Burundian EAC forces with FDLR may be explained by their endorsement of anti-Tutsi genocide ideology.
➡️ On October 2nd, the big attack began. Two Nturo residents got killed during the attack. On October 3rd, FDLR, Nyatura and their families came and looted all the homes, loading trucks with the belongings of Nturo residents. Most residents had fled on October 2nd and 3rd. On October 4th, the assailants came with yellow canisters full of gasoline. They deliberately sprayed all the houses and set fire, which led to the total annihilation of the village of Nturo.
➡️ As we can see in the video footage, FDLR-Nyatura-Wazalendo clearly acknowledged that they were wiping of the map a "Tutsi village".
➡️ During the attack, the majority of Nturo residents fled to the Bwiza IDP camp where 17,000 IDPs had gathered from several parts of eastern DRC, after facing persecution by #FDLR & Nyatura for decades.
➡️ Since November 2023, Nturo residents have began to return to Nturo to rebuild their homes. Those who came in November 2023 witnessed attacks carried out by a FARDC Sukhoi. Indeed, according to the residents, seven bombs were dropped on Nturo.
➡️ When we visit Nturo today, we can see that all the houses have recently been rebuilt.
➡️ ➡️What happened in Nturo is illustrative of the politics of divisionism used by the Government of Kinshasa in its conflict against #M23, particularly through its collaboration with the genocidal force #FDLR. It is also representative of the impact of genocide ideology in DR Congo.
➡️➡️While the attack is slightly mentioned in the December 2023 UN Group of Experts report, it is certainly inadequate as no statement was done by @MONUSCO & no investigation was ever carried out. In fact, around the time of the withdrawal of the EAC forces in November 2023, the Burundian army joined the DRC government coalition comprising FARDC, @MONUSCO, #FDLR, Wazalendo and European Mercenaries, to fight against #M23.
➡️➡️The total annihilation of Nturo is proof that there is ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Congolese Tutsi in eastern DRC. It shows the impact of genocide ideology in the region, as systematic attacks on Congolese Tutsi in Kitchanga and Bwiza by FDLR also took place.
➡️➡️This tragedy similarly highlights that Nturo residents were feeling safe under the presence of #M23. However, when #M23 withdrew in March 2023, letting EAC take over, the security of Nturo residents drastically decreased. This particular element seems to legitimize the existence of #M23.
➡️➡️➡️ In view of these observations, could we conclude that #M23 is the solution to insecurity in Eastern DRC?
(Video by @TEDDYMAZINA)
The Western media have been attacking Kagame for the last 30 years, I am used to it.
But these days? Europeans, British, and French amplified their attacks on him.
As an African, if I see Europeans and Americans attacking someone he/she is probably doing something right!
🗣️ Call him a dictator if you want, but...
✅ His people are thriving.
✅ Rwanda is safe and secure.
✅ He’s a leader other presidents should learn from!
To me, H.E. @PaulKagame is a HERO! 🇷🇼✨
“I'm not British. I'm not American. I'm not French. Whatever thing they practise, that is their business. I am an African. I am Rwandan” President Paul Kagame
Rwanda is the first African country to sanction a European country 🙌🏾🙌🏾
Rwanda has made it clear that Africa is not just a continent of weak people it’s a land of smart people
Congo wanted Belgium to sanction Rwanda, but Rwanda is sanctioning Belgium.
This is a win for all Africans
1) Vu son passé, le rapport de la commission d’enquête du sénat (1997), les excuses au Rwanda de Guy Verhofstadt alors premier ministre, la Belgique devrait S’ABSTENIR de prendre des positions en pointe dans les conflits de la région et s’abstenir d’essayer d’influencer la position européenne ou celles des organisations internationales
2) En prenant position contre le Rwanda et pour la RDC, la Belgique va inévitablement attiser les tensions entre les deux communautés congolaise et rwandaise très présentes en Belgique et dont les membres sont souvent nos compatriotes. C’est inutile et dangereux.
3) On se demande si la Belgique n’a pas pris cette position pour la seule raison que le Congo est plus grand et plus peuplé que le Rwanda.
4) La situation au Kivu est bien plus complexe que ce qui est présenté. Le point essentiel est l’incapacité de la RDC d’assurer la sécurité et la protection de tous ses citoyens dans l’est du Congo. Le Rwanda n’est pas responsable du fait que la RDC est un « Failed State » dans cette partie de son territoire.
STOP à l’activisme diplomatique du gouvernement belge contre un des États les mieux gérés d’Afrique. Une approche IMPARTIALE et NEUTRE s’impose dans ce conflit @prevotmaxime@DavidClarinval@GLBouchez@de_NVA@MR_officiel@FranckenTheo@BernardQuintin_@onduhungirehe
We got you PK! We will not be quiet anymore! We know who you are to us.
We will not accept idiots to drag Rwanda 🇷🇼 in the mud! Been there, done that. #NoMore
📚 Les mémoires de la magistrate Eva Joly, ancienne députée européenne et candidate écolo à la présidentielle, se lisent comme un roman policier. La célèbre affaire Elf qu’elle a instruite a‚ dit-elle, brûlé ses forces, son idéal politique, son couple. https://t.co/L3MQIUgkZ2