For so long , there has been claims that Mozambique is harboring a big number of genocide fugitives. However, the visit is seen as a milestone for genocide fugitives hiding in Mozambique.
Justice Minister Johnston Busingye, while commenting on the Nyusi’s three-day visit said that cooperation in justice is a key aspect of the Kigali-Maputo relationship.
“Not only on the usual activities; professional growth, capacity building, exchange of experiences, but because this whole geographical space is increasingly getting connected by trade, travel, investment, tourism, it is important that law enforcement, tracking of offenders and fugitives from justice, exchanges of prisoners also get connected to ensure that the rule of law governs this growing environment.”
In particular, he said, Rwanda has evidence there is a number of Genocide fugitives in Mozambique.
“The evidence is so credible that we sent about six indictments already. So, cooperation in justice is a key aspect of our relationship.”
Rwanda’s quest to have extradition treaties with several countries across the world was being derailed, potentially delaying delivery of justice.
Over the last seven years, Rwanda has put out about 39 extradition treaty requests, 18 of them with African countries. However, even on the continent itself, only three have been signed with officials at the Ministry of Justice saying there is need for increased diplomacy and negotiations.
So far, only Ethiopia, Zambia and Malawi have signed and ratified binding extradition treaties with Rwanda.
Providence Umurungi, the head of international justice and judicial cooperation at the ministry, told that the signing treaties would expedite extradition of Genocide fugitives.
“We have very many indictments for Genocide fugitives who are mostly in Africa. We have been trying to sign extradition treaties, and we have secured six extradition treaties so far out of eighteen in Africa. This year we signed three, Malawi, Zambia and Ethiopia. We are negotiating to sign another one with Mozambique,” she said.
Surprisingly, a number of African countries have not been very cooperative in this regard but the authorities are keen to continue using diplomacy and negotiations
A number of bilateral agreements was signed during the three-day visit of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who arrived in Rwanda yesterday.
According to Olivier Nduhungirehe, the State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community.
Nyusi arrived in Kigali in a reciprocal visit following a similar trip by President Kagame two years ago.
Over 4,000 Rwandans in Mozambique
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Monique Mukaruliza, who also covers Mozambique, said: “We have more than 4,000 Rwandans living in Mozambique and strengthening the bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Mozambique benefits Rwandans doing business in Mozambique.”
During his 2016 visit, Kagame addressed members of the academic and business society in Maputo and emphasised that the private sector must play a key role, alongside government, to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.
This, he said, promotes social and economic prosperity.
The visit by the Mozambican leader, Mukaruliza said, also serves an important purpose of opening borders to Rwandans that need to expand their activities in foreign countries. She termed it as a “Rwanda connection to SADC countries.”
The 15-member states Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana.What Nyusi’s Visit means to the Genocide fugitives in Mozambique?
The Express News
