Kayumba Nyamwasa, a Rwandan dissident living in South Africa wonders why a whole President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame would resuscitate the Kisangani clashes in DRC, a military fight Kagame thinks he won.
Rwanda and Uganda were engaged in a fierce battle in Kisangani in the 90s.
Uganda’s newspaper, the New Vision over the weekend published an interview of Nywamwa in which he talked about his relationship with Kagame and governance in Rwanda.
New Vision: In your understanding, what do you think is the cause of Rwanda-Uganda standoff?
Gen. Nyamwasa: Paul Kagame thinks he can control, dominate and dictate to neighbouring countries. If any other leader wants to assert his authority in his country, then it becomes a source of tension and conflict.
Look at what has been happening in DRC for decades, to the extent of lobbying for a reversal of a court decision after announcing an election in DRC.
He quickly forgot that he had rigged his own election to the tune of 98%. Tension with Tanzania was palpable during the time of President Kikwete. It is common knowledge that Rwanda facilitated a failed coup d’eat in Burundi.
Even with Kenya, the Rwandan embassy was closed in the late 1990s because of assassinations. Ugandan should take solace that they are not alone, faced with an aggressive and belligerent Rwandan foreign policy.
New Vision: What do you say about Kagame’s claims that Uganda is sourgraping because of the defeat in Kisangani?
Gen. Nyamwasa: “That is insensitive and uncalled for a national leader. What did he gain from that war?” He asked.
“One needs a psychological medical examination to ascertain why and how a sane human being claims credit for killing his brother or friend. Nobody won in Kisangani. It was a terrible shame for both sides”.
New Vision: Kagame says RNC is a terrorist organisation and that you fled Rwanda because you had committed crimes.