The Republic of Niger has expelled eight Rwandans found to have been involved in the Genocide-related crimes that took place in Rwanda. 

The affected persons were transferred by the UN Court which tried them for Genocide-related crimes. This comes just a month after they were welcomed in the capital Niamey.

The men were convicted of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and had completed their sentences or were acquitted, Bwisa reports.

According to a statement released on December 27, 2021, the Niger Ministry of Interior and Decentralization ordered the men to leave the country within seven days.

The ex-convicts are Protais Zigiranyirazo, Francois Nzuwonemeye, Innocent Sagahutu, Alphonse Nteziryayo, Tharcisse Muvunyi, André Ntagerura, Anatole Nsengiyumva and Prosper Mugiraneza.

The men are widely considered to be among the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

After the conclusion of their cases, they remained in Arusha, Tanzania where the UN court was based.

Out of the eight names listed, four were reportedly convicted of crimes during the genocide by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

They are former prefect Alphonse Nteziryayo, ex-military intelligence head Anatole Nsengiyumva, and former army officers Tharcisse Muvunyi and Innocent Sagahutu, all of whom have served their sentences, ACP reports. 

The expulsion comes after an inquiry made by the government of Rwanda to the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) seeking clarification about circumstances under which the eight were transferred to Niger.

While addressing a UN Security Council meeting in New York in early December, Valentine Rugwabiza, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that Rwanda had not been informed by either the MICT or the host country about the transfer of these Rwandan nationals.

She then pointed out that there is evidence that some of these individuals, after their acquittal by the former ICTR, have been engaging in subversive activities that contributed to the insecurity and instability of the Great Lakes Region for the past decades.

The individuals in question had for long been stuck in Arusha, the former seat of the ICTR, after many countries had refused to take them in, including those hosting their families.

However, Rwanda previously said they may come back home to their country if they so wish.

Meanwhile, according to AFP, on November 15, Niger signed an agreement with the UN to host nine Rwandans, the eight expelled as well as former Rwandan foreign minister Jerome Clement Bicamumpaka, who was also acquitted by the ICTR.

Around 800,000 people died between April and July 1994 in Rwanda as the extremist Hutu regime tried to wipe out the Tutsi minority, causing one of the 20th century’s biggest massacres. - Sahara Reporters

By JAPHETH NZOMO

Once upon a time, in South East London, at a place called Lewisham, there was a magical garden. However, the occupiers of the main house and owners of the garden as well, decided it was time to find a new house and gave the house and garden to a family called the Nzomos’. Little did the Nzomos’ know it wasn't just an average garden that they were getting.

The thing which separates this garden from an average garden is its great rectangular layout. The rectangular shape gives it a magical like feel when you look it. The garden has a super smooth concrete path that leads up to a tiny set of stairs which also leads to a smooth concrete pile. The garden also has 3 beautiful trees. The Nzomos; uses that concrete pile as a place to host barbecues, have discussions with friends and would even have the children play it on it. Meanwhile next to the concrete path is a smooth pile of soil. 

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nzomos’ used the garden to plant flowers and grass. However, during the covid-19 pandemic, the Nzomos’ used it as a farm and planted vegetables, pumpkins and green chillies, greens and beans. The Nzomos’ thought of the farm as a wise decision as it helped save money while reminding them of their home country Kenya which too had beautiful farms and scenery.

Another thing about this magical garden wasn't just the scenery you get from the front window of the house, Not only does the mini farm the Nzomo's created provide a beautiful but also it has wildlife. This garden has a good number of wild animals such as wildcats, foxes, squirrels and birds. 

This provides entertainment for example, If you were ever bored you could grab a bit of popcorn and enjoy the show from the front window. If you were watching expect to see the squirrels doing acrobats on one of the trees, the birds singing their daily song on another one of the trees or you could just sit back and observe one of the wildcats just chilling over there. 

However, one of the bad things about having so much animals is that the garden can turn into animal warzone as sometimes in the middle of night you can hear the foxes and wildcats screaming and hissing each other but luckily ends in Mr Nzomo coming to the rescue speaking cat language which confuses them enough to give them a run for their money.

Another downside is that the farm the Nzomo's created is so good that the wildlife wanted it too. Sometimes pigeons would go on a mission to steal seed from the farm. Luckily Mr Nzomo stopped them one time by throwing Ugali (Kenyan food) at them with incredible accuracy which gave them a run for their money.

However, these were just a few events of the magical garden which I hope you enjoyed and I hope that you see this as inspiration to take care or do something with your garden too (if you're lucky enough to have one) as it could save you some money too.

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta today to discuss regional security issues of mutual interest, including the situations in Ethiopia and Somalia.  In Ethiopia, they agreed on the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, an end to human rights abuses and violations, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict.  The Secretary expressed the strong support of the United States for the mediation efforts of President Kenyatta and AU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo.  On Somalia, the Secretary underscored the importance of Somalia’s national and Federal Member State leaders concluding parliamentary and presidential elections immediately and free from irregularities that would jeopardize the credibility of the outcome.  The Secretary noted the U.S. opposition to the attempted suspension of Prime Minister Roble, and they agreed that all parties should refrain from escalatory actions and statements. - U.S Department of State