Ben King, in 1977 - Stand By Me

"Stand by Me" is a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, inspired by the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me," plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2--3.

There have been over 400 recorded versions of the song. Benjamin Earl Nelson (born September 28, 1938), better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me," a U.S. Top 10 hit in both 1961 and later in 1986 (when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name)  and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters.

Stand by Me by Ben King

Empire Cast - Bryshere Gray, Trai Byers, Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.

Did you watch the new TV Show called "Empire"? If not, do. Please do! The runaway success of the  show about a family-run hip-hop music company has surprised the experts since it has started to air, four weeks ago.

Felicien Kanyamibwa, Leading the Chamber of Commerce (Board of Trade) and business leaders in a meeting with Rwandan Government in Kigali, Rwanda in 1989

On July 1, 2023, Rwandans commemorated 61 years of independence.  In fact,  sixty one years ago, on July 1, 1962, the nation of Rwanda gained independence from colonial powers. I was then almost 1 year old  growing up in Congo - Kinshasa.  As Rwandans have been annually commemorating the independence, they have been under one of the most brutal dictatorships in Africa for the last 29 years, according to reports from various independent organizations, reputable media, and governments.  From these reports, it appears clear that while trying to project progress, development, peace, and security, through a well crafted propaganda machine and greedy allies, the Rwandan dictatorship, under an oligarchy led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and an absolute ruler, Paul Kagame, has become one of the most despised brutal regimes in Africa, especially in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Hence the prevalent question today, to both Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, is: are Rwandans Building their Nation on a Rock or Sinking Sand?

Maj Ir Emmanuel Munyaruguru (left), Elizabeth Mujawimana and Priscilla Nyarahabineza Nyirarusagi (top), and Twizere (bottom left) and Thaddée Munyamvuke (bottom right) , in late 1980s.

What is wrong with General Paul Kagame and RPF Regime in Rwanda?  Reflecting on the disappearance of my older brothers Major Ir. Emmanuel Munyaruguru and Thaddee Munyamvuke, the killings of my sisters Priscilla "Nyirarusagi" Nyirahabineza  and Appoline "Elizabeth"  Mujawimana, of my old brother Oban Ndarama,and of my nephew Twizere.
by Felicien Kanyamibwa, PhD., MqBA.

New York, USA, March 2, 2022.

1-Introduction

     It has been almost 8 years that my older brother Emmanuel Munyaruguru, also addressed to as Major Ingenieur (Maj. Ir.) Emmanuel Munyaruguru, referring to his education at the Belgian Royal Military Academy (Ecole Polytechnique Royale Militaire - ERM) and his past military career in Rwanda, was kidnapped by Rwandan military intelligence operatives working with top Ugandan Police agents and brought to Kigali, Rwanda. General Paul Kagame, his intelligence services and his army have, later on, made him disappear.

    Since his kidnapping from Uganda and his disappearance in Rwanda, people, including friends, acquaintances and reporters, have been asking why I and/or our family have never publicly commented on the case of my older brother. Given that the day of March 2 and the month of April are special for my family and relatives, I take this opportunity to comment. In fact, as the World knows, or at the least the RPF leaders and my family know, and you may find out below, March 2 is a special day in the remembrance of the painful events that happened on March 2, 1997 (See here Beyond Ethnic Politics and Fear: Hutu, Tutsi, and Ethnicity in Rwanda). But my close family has experienced tragic events from the invasion of Rwanda on October 1, 1990, to date.

Nelson Mandela

The icon of the struggle against oppression , Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, passed away today December 5, 2013. As the South African President Jacob Zuma said, “Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world.”

The death of Nelson Mandela should be an occasion, not only to mourn the loss of the person who epitomizes the success of overcoming oppression, but also to reflect on our own struggles against oppression, wherever it is and wherever and whoever we are.

While thinking about Mondela’s struggle against oppression, one question came to my mind: “Is there oppression that is not deliberate or by design?”