Africa

General Paul Kagame's Speech Attacking BBC in December 2014 over Human Rights Abuses Reports

 Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, has cancelled the CommonWealth summit that was planned in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2021. The decision was communicated in a Circular Letter dated on May 7, 2021,  a copy of which was obtained by AfroAmerica Network.  The official reasons of the cancellation are the prevailing risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CommonWealth Secretary-General refers to  assessments by health institutions, including the World Health Organization. 

Front row, from left: Gen Dan Munyuza, Jean Bosco Kazura and Fred Ibingira in a meeting in early April 2021

 In mid January 2021,  sources within the Rwandan Department of Military Intelligence (DMI) confirmed to an AfroAmerica Network correspondent in Kigali that the military leaders supporting  Ms. Ange Kagame, have asked General Paul Kagame to impose a country lockdown to be able to better watch the movement of unreliable top military leaders. The decision was made due to the deteriorating health conditions of General Paul Kagame and the infighting among his closest aides and his family on his succession, when and just in case he becomes incapacitated (see here  Rwanda: As Rwandan Dictator Paul Kagame's Health Deteriorates, Rwandan Government Allegedly Uses COVID-19 to Impose a Lockdown Aimed at Keeping Top Military Leaders Suspected of Planning a Coup Under Close watch).  AfroAmerica Network sources have now learned that more officers, under such a watch,  have been arrested as they tried to coordinate their plot activities or flee the country: those recently arrested under the COVID-19 lockdown provisions include Gen Fred Ibingira, Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Staff  of the Reserve Force and Retired Lt Gen  Charles Muhire and other mid-ranking officers.

Chad's Idriss Deby's son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Djamena, April 20, 2021

Chad’s long time ruling dictator Idriss Déby, addressed as Marshal Idriss Déby Itno, has died from combat wounds, following intense fighting against rebels on Sunday and Monday.  He was replaced by his 37-year-old son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. 

The U.S. State Department offered condolences to the people of Chad and said the U.S. supports a “peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Chadian constitution.”