Connect with us

Culture

Over 2,073 Rwandan genocide victims discovered in mass graves to be given decent burial

Published

on

The commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on April 9 has afforded over 2,073 victims of the carnage to be given a decent burial after their remains were discovered in mass graves in the Huye District.

According to local media, the remains of the victims, largely from the Tutsi ethnic group, were discovered under a house and a field.

A local tabloid reported that the first six bodies were discovered in October 2023 as workers were building a fence around the compound that belongs to a one Jean Baptiste Hishamunda in Ngoma sector.

“Neighbours and the owners of the home had concealed information about the victims’ whereabouts for a long time,” according to city officials.

Ange Sebutege, the Mayor of Huye District who supervised the exhumation of the remains, told journalists on Monday that the victims of the 1994 genocide will get a decent burial on April 30 in Ngoma Genocide memorial during a commemoration activity that is planned.

He added that the land where the bodies were exhumed is being prepared to establish a symbol that massacres were committed during the pogrom.

The area, according to Sebutege, was inhabited by soldiers of the genocidal regime, two of whom are said to have committed genocide crimes including the son of Hishamunda, who is currently serving a sentence in Huye prison after pleading guilty.

“Despite pleading guilty he never shared information about the victims’ remains dumped in mass graves at his home.

“The suspects being pursued for concealing the information include 86-year-old Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, Seraphine Dusabemariya, 61 , Petero Habimana, 89, Mariani Musasangohe, 50, Marie Josee Uwabega, 53, and Mediatrice Uwimana, 54,” Sebutege said.

“Others like Sifa Nyirakiromba, 68, was released while the six suspects will be arraigned in court.

“Dusabemariya, Musangangohe, and Uwabega are children of Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, while Habimana and Uwimana are neighbours of Dusabemariya,” he stated.

According to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), there is an increase in crimes related to concealing, destroying, eliminating, or degrading evidence or information relating to genocide, which saw a rise of 120 percent.

“However, this increase is viewed positively by RIB, as it signifies a growing awareness of the legal impact associated with withholding crucial information regarding genocide.

“This surge in cases, from 44 in 2019 to 97 in 2023, demonstrates progress, as individuals are increasingly disclosing the whereabouts of genocide victims’ remains, thus contributing to the process of healing and reconciliation,” according to RIB.

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

on

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Continue Reading

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

on

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Sports10 hours ago

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of...

Culture11 hours ago

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest...

Tech11 hours ago

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

The African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has selected 20 promising tech entrepreneurs from various African technology ventures...

Metro12 hours ago

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change 

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a...

Metro17 hours ago

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the...

VenturesNow2 days ago

Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from...

Musings From Abroad2 days ago

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with...

Metro2 days ago

Nigerian activist remanded in prison for threatening President’s son

A Nigerian court has ordered a female activist, Olamide Thomas, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly issuing a...

Metro2 days ago

Zambian law association kicks over suspension of two members

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has kicked against the suspension of two of its council members, Arnold Kaluba, the...

Sports2 days ago

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in...

Trending