TOUGH ANTI-GOVERNMENT RHETORIC IS A STAPLE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000789 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR KPAO PREL CG RW SUBJECT: TOUGH ANTI-GOVERNMENT RHETORIC IS A STAPLE OF RWANDA'S POPULAR KINYARWANDA TABLOIDS Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington for reasons 1.4 (b), (d) ¶1. (C) Anti-Government of Rwanda (GOR) rhetoric coupled with personal criticism of President Kagame and his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party are the staples of Rwanda's Kinyarwanda-language popular press. A review of local language tabloids, all with small press runs but relatively wide readership among elites, reflects robust discussion of personalities, politics, scandal, and corruption. At a minimum, as the headlines reflect, tough criticism in the local language is frequent in Rwanda's print media. ¶2. (C) Umuseso sells some 3,000 papers a week, but is reportedly Rwanda's most read Kinyarwanda weekly. It is also the most stridently and consistently critical of President Kagame and the GOR. Its tabloid text and photos appear to incite more often than they inform. (One recent front page story reprinted a U.S. academic's article that the USG was responsible for the 1994 shootdown of former President Habyarimana's plane that launched the genocide.) A sampling of recent headlines in Umuseso includes: "Consequences of Kagame and RPF dictatorship;" "12 African dictators"; "Why is Rwanda in a leadership crisis?"; "Reasons why Rwandans will one day stand against their leaders." Other papers echoed the theme, including "Umuvugizi," with its article: "Rwanda: A country governed by dictatorship." ¶3. (SBU) Press reports on corruption and anti-corruption efforts are frequent. Some articles are supportive of President Kagame, but critical of others in the GOR. Examples include: a story in "Umulinzi" entitled "Kagame should continue to fight corrupt leaders"; and, two articles in "Umuvugizi," headed "He did mafia with the Rwandan Government, now he is in jail;" and, "Resignation and jailing of leaders, a sign of bad recruitment." Umuseso ran a series questioning investigations, including an article entitled, "There is confusion in the case of Mutsindashyaka." (Note: He is a former Minister of State now on trial for corruption. End Note). Another Umuseso article on former Senator Safari who initially appeared before a Gacaca court on a genocide charge, but then fled the jurisdiction, was entitled, "Senator Safari case, still confusing." ¶4. (SBU) One Umuseso article critical of the new partnership between Rwanda and the DRC trumpeted "Rwanda used methane gas and Nkunda to normalize relations with the DRC." Another article quoted an RPF advisor as saying the elections were a pretext because people went to the polls knowing the winner." A third story featured photos of Kagame, former Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu, former President Pasteur Bizimungu, and the heir to Rwanda's former monarchy, Kigeli Ndahindurwa. It said one party made all the decisions for the country, that Rwanda lacked a vibrant independent media and private sector, and that opposition parties should be able to freely debate with the RPF. (Note: In addition to the RPF, there are nine other registered parties, including three formed when a multi-party system was adopted in 1991 and one formed and registered this year. Two other new parties are still in the registration process, including the Greens. End Note) ¶5. (C) Comment: The frequency and vigor of anti-GOR stories in Rwanda's small, but vocal Kinyarwanda press is striking. The local press reflects more freedom than the striking. The local press reflects more freedom than the editors themselves acknowledge. Umuseso, the most vitriolic critic, is backed by Rwandans who, like Kagame, were refugees in Uganda. Umuseso's frequent slams of Kagame may reflect concerns over GOR policies and actions that have touched both the interests and nerves of some in Kagame's traditional base. (These actions include the arrest of the Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda last January and the GOR's increasingly vigorous anti-corruption enforcement that has reached well into Kagame's former circle.) End Comment. SYMINGTON