Metro

UN accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels in DRC

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2022

A group of experts working with the United Nations have accused Rwanda of giving support to the M23 rebels who are have been staging attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite repeated denials by the DRC.

The experts said it finds ‘solid evidence’ that Kigali is supporting M23 fighters despite repeated denials following a resurgence of the militia inflamed regional tensions and spurred deadly protests against the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC last week.

The 131-page report presented to the United Nations Security Council by the experts said Rwanda had launched military interventions inside Congolese territory since November 2021, as well as providing “troop reinforcements for specific M23 operations, in particular when these aimed at seizing strategic towns and areas”.

The UN experts said they also found evidence that M23 fighters and Rwandan troops jointly attacked a large DRC army base in Rumangabo, in eastern North Kivu province, on May 25, a day after Rwandan forces had crossed into the DRC.

“On repeated occasions, aerial imagery showed large columns of up to 500 armed men in the vicinity of the DRC, Rwandan and Ugandan borders, moving in a very organized manner,” the expert group said.

But spokesman for the Rwandan government, Yolande Makolo, said in a statement that the government would not comment on an “unpublished and unvalidated report,” stating that an earlier report by the experts’ group in June “contained none of these false allegations.”

A DRC government spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, said his country welcomed the work of the UN group.

“The truth always triumphs in the end. We hope that conclusions will be drawn quickly to put an end to Rwanda’s interference and bring back lasting peace,” Muyaya said.

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Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

“As a representative of the deaf community, I believe digital rights should be inclusive. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, should enjoy these rights through various devices to express themselves and participate in national discourse,” he asserted.

He also called for the recognition of sign language as the eighth national language, aligning with United Nations conventions that mandate sign language interpreters at all events to promote inclusivity.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda (video)

Published

6 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.