Towards the end of 2019, the story of Noël Zihabamwe’s relatives, who reportedly disappeared and were allegedly kidnapped in Rwanda, gained widespread attention on social media, in international news outlets, and in a Human Rights Watch report of 2023.
According to the reports, Jean Nsengimana and Antoine Zihabamwe were supposedly abducted in Rwanda. Noël Zihabamwe, known for his advocacy in human rights, has been accused of leveraging his influence to garner support for the terrorist group in DRC allegedly united in a plan to overthrow the Rwandan government. Noël left Rwanda in 2000 to pursue his studies and later sought asylum in Australia. One of the reasons cited by Noël Zihabamwe for seeking asylum, as highlighted in media reports and social media , is his refusal to work for the Rwandan government.
Notably, his sister, Komusabyuwera Brigitte, also resides in Australia , and together, they initiated efforts to bring other family members to join them. However, their attempts were met with challenges, necessitating navigation through legal or illegal channels.
Noel Zihabamwe, formerly known as Yandamutso Noël, was born in Huye District, Mbazi Sector, to Emmanuel Zihabamwe. This father had eight children including Mukakalisa Enatha, Nsengimana Jean, Uwera Assoumpta, Zihabamwe Fidèle, Zihabamwe Antoine, Yandamutso Noël (later known as Noël Zihabamwe), Komusebyuwera Brigitte, and Niyibikora Anne Marie. Emmanuel Zihabamwe and his wife passed on after the Genocide against the Tutsis in 1994. However, conflicting information has surfaced, with former neighbors claiming that the family members were still in Rwanda as of 2019, contrary to Noël Zihabamwe’s statements and the Human Rights Watch report.
Mwesigwa Roger, Noël Zihabamwe’s nephew, inherited one of his uncle’s properties while the rest of the family opted to sell their assets. According to Roger, Brigitte was the first to move to Australia, and Noël Zihabamwe later joined her. Once there, they made concerted efforts to encourage their other relatives to relocate as well.
Mwesigwa Roger, nephew of Noël Zihabamwe (Photo by The Express News Team).
“They left, claiming to have found their sister in Australia. Initially, Jean Nsengimana ‘s children (who share the same parentage as Zihabamwe) left for educational purposes. Later, Assoumpta [Uwera], who had a house here, sold it to our neighbor, Nsabimana Ignace. The others left when I departed Kigali and arrived here in 2019. They initially planned to go with me, but circumstances changed upon my arrival.” Roger said.
The group that left in 2019 comprised Nsengimana Jean, Zihabamwe Fidèle, Mukamana, Antoine zihabamwe and Jean Nsengimana’s son, Fils and others .
Marie Goreth Mukabuzima, a 66-year-old neighbor of the family since pre-Genocide times, disclosed that they bid farewell to everyone in 2019, announcing their move from Mbazi to Australia.
“They first withdrew their child from school, they sold their land and livestock (cows, goats, and sheep). They were informed they could only bring a bag with them. That’s how they left. Jean Nsengimana, Zihabamwe Fidèle, his wife, and their children departed, and Nsengimana brought his wife and son who had discontinued school along with his daughter.” She said.
Mukabuzima Marie Goreth, a neighbor of Noël Zihabamwe’s family.
Contrary to the 2023 HRW report claiming abduction, neighbors dispute this narrative, asserting that the family’s departure was anticipated, and they were well aware of their destination.
These people informed everyone, saying, “We are going to Australia.” They shared information with us that they were seeking facilities in their trip, I saw them carrying their gabs, ready to rise and move forward.” Mukabuzima shared.
The HRW report, published in October 2023, reveals that Noël Zihabamwe’s brothers, Jean Nsengimana and Antoine Zihabamwe, went to Nyagatare District in 2019 to purchase land, and faced imprisonment, but were subsequently released.
The report highlights events in September 2019, indicating that Jean Nsengimana’s wife, who resided in Huye, traveled to Nyagatare and was arrested for attempting to cross the border into Uganda illegally. On September 28, 2019, Jean Nsengimana and Antoine Zihabamwe, who had come from Kigali, sought to locate her but were detained by the police upon reaching Karangazi, diverting them from their intended destination.
Nsengimana Jean and Antoine Zihabamwe (Photo: internet).
They Were Well-Prepared Before Quitting
Ignace Nsabimana, a 45-year-old man who was born and raised in Mbazi with Jean Nsengimana, Antoine Zihabamwe, and Noël Zihabamwe, now resides in Australia. Recounting the events, he shared, “Nsengimana and Assoumpta came to see me and said, ‘Would you buy Assoumpta’s house so that we can get a ticket to go to Australia?’ They were also selling livestock – cows, goats, and sheep – and searching for individuals willing to lease their land.”
Agreement between Marie Assoumpta and Nsabimana Ignace, who bought a house before going to Australia (Photo by The Express News Team)
“After making preparations, they rented properties, sold their belongings, packed their bags, and departed. Assoumpta and her children went first, followed by Jean Nsengimana’s children. Subsequently, Nsengimana, along with his wife and son, and Fidele, along with his wife and children, left later. Fidele, being our neighbor, rose later and suggested that everyone gather in Kigali before heading to Australia.”
Nsabimana refutes claims of kidnapping, asserting that those making such allegations are fabricating stories. He points out that the individuals involved had official documentation, having gone through legal processes and telling bye! bye! to everyone demonstrates their readiness for their plan to quit the country.
Nsabimana Ignace, who bought Marie Assumpta’s house.
He queried, “How can someone claim to have been kidnapped after bidding farewell and making all the necessary arrangements?”He further noted, ” Jean Nsengimana bid farewell, informing people that he is joining his sister in Australia. Some genuinely accompanied him. […] they were not kidnapped, rather they planned for their relocation.
Marie Goreth Mukabuzima also disputed HRW’s statement, asserting that Jean Nsengimana, Antoine, and their families were not kidnapped. She questioned the logic, asking, “How could you be kidnapped when you were ready to leave, said goodbye to your neighbors, and disclosed your destination?”
He stated, “They left without being arrested. So, would you call it kidnapping? They leased the land before departure, as their sister had indicated they were not allowed to sell them. They made preparations, said their goodbyes, and left.”
Rose Twabonyinshuti, who has been renting Jean Nsengimana’s land since 2019 for six years, said she met them at the bus station with their bags ready to go.
She recounted, “They were walking, and we crossed paths near the museum. I had turned around in the market.”The mother emphasized that the lease agreement stipulates that if they choose to rent again after six years, the funds can be given to Mwesigwa or an elderly woman residing in Munazi-Butare.
Twabonyinshuti affirmed her lack of awareness regarding the alleged kidnapping of Jean Nsengimana and his brothers. However, she mentioned that their nephew, Roger Mwesigwa, had inherited one of the properties. Roger informed her that they intended to consult an elderly family member residing in Munazi.
She explained, “I spoke with Mwesigwa Roger, inquiring about his family’s situation. He mentioned that they were in contact with their relative in Munazi, who married a girl using the wedding funds sent by Brigitte.”
“So, I asked Roger about Jean Nsengimana. He replied that he is not aware because they are discussing the matter.”
Unraveling the Enigma of Nyagatare
In a Voice of America (VOA) story from 2019, revisiting the disappearance of Jean Nsengimana and Antoine along with their families, a man called Gatera Jean Pierre is mentioned. The individual heard in this story claims to have assisted Jean Nsengimana’s wife, Josee when she was caught attempting to cross the border illegally and subsequently imprisoned. The narrative concludes by stating that Gatera was awaiting the arrival of Jean Nsengimana, Antoine Zihabamwe, and their families, but they were forcibly taken into a car at Karangazi.
In the course of compiling this story, it was deemed necessary to seek relevant information from Gatera. A three-hour journey from Kigali led us to Nyagatare, where we inquired about the plans, he had with them. Gatera informed us that they had come to Nyagatare, but he was unaware of the purpose as Jean Nsengimana ‘s wife were released.
Gatera Jean Pierre, a friend of Noel Zihabamwe’s family who lives in Nyagatare.
He recounted, “I opposed [Jean Nsengimana’s wife] returning home immediately, as she had requested to leave promptly due to feeling unwell for a few days. Subsequently, he informed me that he wished to return to Butare, where his father was unwell. He left my house and returned to Butare to attend to his ailing father. Since then, I am unaware of his fate.”
Josée’s End
Upon Gatera’s revelation that Josee, the wife of Jean Nsengimana mentioned in the HRW report, had disappeared, claiming that he left her, stating he was going to visit his sick father, the thought arose that this father might possess information about his daughter’s whereabouts. Josee’s father, Ngirumpatse Epimaque, informed us that his daughter did visit him but stayed briefly before heading to see her elderly relative residing in Congo (DRC).
Nsengimana Jean’s wife, Josee, has been said by HRW and Noel to have been kidnapped by Rwanda
Gatera recounted that after media reports surfaced about their disappearance, Jean Nsengimana’s wife was the one who spoke to the bus driver, purportedly transporting them. They sought them at the Karangazi RIB Station but were unsuccessful. This occurred before he went to see his father in Huye.
Gatera suggested that the two men may not have been in the car from Nyabugogo (car station in kigali city) . He speculated that this could be a part of Noël Zihabamwe’s plan to leave Rwanda, as there were allegations of people being kidnapped and harmed. This would serve as a basis for reporting to organizations like HRW, to expedite his brothers’ asylum application for easier relocation to Australia.
Problem with the Government of Rwanda
Human Rights Watch highlighted that the Rwandan government, for Noel Zihabamwe’s brothers to acquire land in Nyagatare, had supposedly asked them to relocate to Butare, where they previously resided.
Contrary to this claim, Gatera Jean Pierre, acquainted with them, asserted that “they did not possess land in Nyagatare. If they did, they would have the corresponding documents, and I would have been aware, as I was the one who welcomed them when they arrived in Nyagatare; we were genuine friends.”
Neighbors from their residence in Mbazi attested that they had no issues with the Rwandan government, lived harmoniously before their departure, and had no disputes with anyone.
Furthermore, they emphasized that the decision to leave was not due to any troubles but was conveyed as a move to Australia .
We encountered Rose, a tenant on Jean Nsengimana’s land for six years, who remarked, “They departed with prior preparations, and there were no issues before their departure. Everything was peaceful because if there had been a problem, we wouldn’t have rented to them. The indication that they were planning to leave came from their farewells to neighbors.”
Rose, who rented Nsengimana Jean’s farms before she went to Australia.
During this time, Mwesigwa asserted that no acts of violence had been perpetrated against his family, including Nsengimana Jean, Antoine Zihabamwe, and their families. He stated, “Regarding him, I mentioned that he enjoyed alcohol, which is normal, but to claim he abused it would be untrue.”
Residents and the brothers of Nsengimana and Zihabamwe Antoine contended that these men should refrain from perpetuating insults against the country by asserting they were kidnapped, knowing that they would eventually be located. Mwesigwa addressed this, stating, “I advised him, ‘try to stop insulting your country by claiming they kidnapped you. We know where you went, as you visited neighbors.'”
Our Findings
After cross-referencing information from various sources, including news broadcasts on Voice of America, social media reports, and the HRW Report, a logical speculation arises about the possible whereabouts of the individuals in question.
Let’s rewind a bit. Emmanuel Zihabamwe’s family, comprising eight children, initiated their journey to Australia with Brigitte being the first to make the move. Once there, she returned to facilitate the relocation of others, including Noel Zihabamwe. Subsequently, attempts were made to bring over the remaining relatives back in Rwanda, notably Jean Nsengimana and Antoine Zihabamwe, along with their families, as confirmed by their nephew Roger.
The picture shows the evacuation of Emmanuel Zihabamwe’s family from Butare to Australia
In exploring the avenues through which people could enter Australia, it became apparent that the most viable options are either through a Visa application or as a refugee. However, entering Australia from Rwanda as a refugee became implausible after Rwanda revoked refugee status for its citizens on December 31, 2017, encouraging them to seek asylum in neighboring countries.
Neighbors and relatives of Jean Nsengimana and Antoine Zihabamwe lean towards the belief that these men, along with their families, are residing in countries neighboring Rwanda. Epimaque Ngirumpatse, who is also the father of Nsengimana’s wife, Josee, disclosed that his daughter and her family have relocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo and are presently safe. He mentioned, “They were taken by their brother to Congo.”
Nsabimana Ignace, who bought Jean Nsengimana’s family house, attests that Uwera Assoumpta and her children, Nsengimana Jean and Zihabamwe Antoine, are currently in Uganda and Kenya. This information was obtained from their nephew, and contacts in Mbazi who affirm that Assumpta’s sons are operating as motorcycle taxi drivers in Kampala City.
This fact is also corroborated by the incident involving Josee, the wife of Jean Nsengimana, being apprehended while illegally crossing the border into Uganda.
Based on all the evidence gathered during our interviews for this story, it appears that Noel Zihabamwe’s brothers are residing in countries neighboring Rwanda. They utilized the same method as Jean Nsengimana’s wife to cross into Uganda, but she encountered an accident and was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. Following her release, she relocated from Uganda to Congo, with her father’s approval.
What does it mean to say that these individuals are missing, as reported in the media and documented by HRW as kidnapped persons?
We seek to understand the significance. Upon consultation with lawyers, we were informed that this status could expedite the process of obtaining asylum documents from those countries. They are more readily accepted by the Australian government, often referred to as the country of dreams, where their family members, Noel Zihabamwe and Komusabyuwera Brigitte, reside.
Mike URINZWENIMANA
