FORMER RDF SPOKESMAN AND SPY CHIEF PATRICK

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000167 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV RW SUBJECT: FORMER RDF SPOKESMAN AND SPY CHIEF PATRICK KAREGEYA - GONE FOR GOOD REF: A. 2007 KIGALI 1092 ¶B. 2007 KIGALI 1069 Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Leah Karegeya, wife of Colonel Patrick Karegeya, former RDF spokesman and Director of External Intelligence at the Rwandan National Security Service, met with PolOff on March 6 to provide information on the whereabouts and activities of her husband and of her own current situation in Rwanda. Mrs. Karegeya reported having frequent contact with her husband and having last seen him over the winter holidays when she visited him in South Africa, where he is working to establish himself in the business community. Mrs. Karegeya dismissed reports her husband had fled to Uganda after his release from prison (ref A),citing political difficulties he might face there, and saying he had fled to Tanzania, then made his way to South Africa. ¶2. (C) When asked if Col. Karegeya had plans to return to Rwanda, Mrs. Karegeya replied that such a move would be "foolish" after his two previous arrests and 18 month prison term (ref B). Mrs. Karegeya said she does not think she is under surveillance or in any danger, but she is maintaining a low profile and uses two separate cell phones (one apparently for contacting her husband). She was unsure of her own plans to remain in Rwanda, but mentioned the difficulties she faced in making a living in several small business ventures while her husband is in South Africa. ¶3. (C) Comment: Most observers believed Col. Karegeya left immediately after his release from prison in November of 2007 to avoid further problems with Rwandan officialdom. Some brother officers have suggested he left with the blessing of the RDF, but this appears unlikely. Patrick Karegeya will not be returning to Rwanda any time soon. End comment. ARIETTI