Rwandan activist Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza was arrested by Rwandan national police, known as RNB, in the evening of February 15, 2021. She was accused of and condemned for inciting an uprising, publication of rumours, intentional assault and battery, genocide denial, and blocking the enforcement of government orders. In early 2021, Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza became suddenly a prominent activist after she made statements and recorded videos that went viral on social media, pointing to widespread assassinations and disappearances of opposition leaders and government critics and abuses, corruption and other massacres by the Rwandan governent and military and the ailing Rwandan dictator General Paul Kagame (see AfroAmerica Network here:Rwanda: Opinion on Yvonne Iryamugwiza Idamange's Farewell Address). Her arrest and condemnation for just expressing opinions have been widely criticized by activists around the World.
A Brutal Arrest After Threats by Cold-Blooded Officials.
Officially, Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza was arrested and charged with inciting public disorder, resisting lawful arrest, and aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer. The arrest followed increasing threats and intimidations from Rwandan government officials, police commanders, and agents withing the presidential guard.
Since the arrest, the Rwandan government has faced unexpected and unprecedented widespread condemnations, including public protests around the world and media coverage.
A Selfless Activist Seeking A Country free of discrimination, inhuman treatments, unlawful arrests, and disappearance, even death.
Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza, knew that her kind of activism had many risks, especially facing the brutal dictatorship in Rwanda. She said that she was ready for the journey. In her concluding remarks during her last show, before her arrest, Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza left a powerful message in the following terms:
"Thank you, let me close here. I don't have to tell you a lot of things; however, I would like to say goodbye since I was warned to not appear in any socio media outlets again. In case I was to do it, I would be killed. Maybe with this video, the least they may come up with charges against me in order to be imprisoned. Again Goodbye and as I said before, I love you very much and I am prepared; don't worry about me. I am not afraid; I am ready. I already told them that prison does not scare me at all. Everyone should know that The Almighty is above all earthly power. Death does not scare me either ; I am already over that stage. If I was not ready; I would not come here to host this show today. I would like to remind everyone; I am not a politician, I am not known in the political landscape. I do not have a political party and do not want to start a political organization either. I am not a person who wants to incite people for insurrection as it was implied in some political quarters. However, I am a crusader who campaigns in order to ensure that the people -fellow Rwandans- do fully enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms."
She ended her farewell statement by saying " Thank you very very much, may God bless you and give you the strength in all your endeavors. Amen"..
What is Next?
In a country where, according to accounts and published reports from respected independent observers, human right organizations, and institutions, arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, disappearances, fake trials in front of political courts, incarcerations, imprisonment, and assassinations have become common, the prospects may not appear good.
However, the last message of Ms Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza may summarize what is coming ahead.
Afromerica Network is closely following the story.
@2021 AfroAmerica Network
