Rwanda has learned to say no where it deems fit – Gen Kabarebe

General James Kabarebe: Minister of Defence

Rwanda’s minister of Defence General  James Kabarebe has said that the west are tactfully using accusations against Rwanda to advance their interests, something he says the county will not accept.

While speaking during a symposium on peace security and justice themed ‘Confronting the merging security challenges rethinking strategy’ at Police headquarters in Kigali on Thursday General Kabarebe noted that the west has resorted to erroneous human rights accusations as a new tool to press forward their interference.

“Foreign interference has changed according to globalization which is getting more sophisticated compared to colonialism,” said.

 Rwanda has been accused on several occasions for abusing human rights, interfering in the neighbouring DRC as well as the recent accusations that the country is arming Burundi rebels, which the government has denied.

The one day symposium was held under the theme, “Foreign interference on Africa is much easier than before simply because African handed themselves in for exploitation,” he further added.

The Minister said despite the accusations Rwanda will continue to focus on the development and provide less time for the people who want to divert the country from its agenda.

“During the post Genocide situation, Rwanda has confronted many challenges and learned to say no where it due,” said the Minister

The symposium was organized for participants of the fourth police senior command and staff course which has taken over a year and attracted police officers from different countries in Africa.

Musa Fazil Halerimana, Minister of Internal security said that the dynamics in the region are characterized by security threats such as terrorism and national organized crimes affecting each individual country.

“This requires police officers to be equipped with necessary analytical tools and deeper understanding to national regional as well as global security landscape,” he said

He adds, “I have no doubt at the end o f this symposium, participants will be able get more and be better informed of the dynamics of the changing security environment.”

The commandant of National Police College CP Felix Ntamuhoranye says that the symposium is aimed at deepening participant grasp on issues around security and peace with new and dynamic era.

“We are aiming at imparting them quality skills in relation to strategic command professional policing quality skills in relation to executive leadership and strategic management,” he said.