Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10KIGALI117
2010-02-22 18:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
KIGALI GRENADE ATTACKS ADD TO TENSIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO0084 PP RUEHRN DE RUEHLGB #0117 0531822 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221822Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6666 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP 0179 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0364
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/22/2010
TAGS: PINS PTER KCRM PGOV CASC ASEC RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI GRENADE ATTACKS ADD TO TENSIONS
REF: KIGALI 17
Classified By: CDA Anne Casper for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/22/2010
TAGS: PINS PTER KCRM PGOV CASC ASEC RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI GRENADE ATTACKS ADD TO TENSIONS
REF: KIGALI 17
Classified By: CDA Anne Casper for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (SBU) On the evening of February 19, three
near-simultaneous grenade attacks/explosions occurred in and
near downtown Kigali. The attacks targeted a
restaurant/supermarket, a multiple-story office building, and
the city's main bus/taxi station, killing two individuals and
reportedly injuring at least 18. Post cleared with CA and on
the night of February 19-20 issued a warden message to
resident Amcits. (Note: No Amcits were injured, and the
attacks did not specifically target U.S. or Western
interests, however some Amcits such as Peace Corps Volunteers
or tourists make use of local transport.) CDA and polcouns
drove by the three sites on February 20. All were
open/functioning, with minimal or no signs of damage, and
there were no additional police or security personnel visible.
2. (U) Police so far have arrested three suspects. Police
spokesman Eric Kayiranga reportedly told local media on
February 21 that one of the three men had confessed to the
crime. Earlier, when confirming the attacks, Kayiranga
speculated that they could have been the work of criminals,
the FDLR, "Interahamwe," or simply an accident.
3. (C) To date, we have not seen any public statement by a
senior Government of Rwanda (GOR) official other than
Kayiranga about the attacks. (Note: All senior officials
were scheduled to be in Gisenyi (Rubavu) from the evening of
February 19 through February 23, to participate in an annual
government retreat. End Note.) National Security Service
external affairs chief Joseph Nzabamwita told CDA February 20
via telcon that he believed the attacks were more likely
criminal in nature than connected to the FDLR.
4. (C) COMMENT: While there has been a series of grenade
"discoveries" or attacks in Rwanda since mid-December, the
last such attack in Kigali dates from early 2009. We do not
yet have a clear indication of who was responsible and--as
with the previous set of incidents--authorities in general
and semi-official media remain tight-lipped. The political
temperature in Rwanda had already begun to rise following the
January 16 arrival of Ingabire. These attacks have further
elevated anxieties in advance of Rwanda's August 2010
presidential elections. END COMMENT.
CASPER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/22/2010
TAGS: PINS PTER KCRM PGOV CASC ASEC RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI GRENADE ATTACKS ADD TO TENSIONS
REF: KIGALI 17
Classified By: CDA Anne Casper for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (SBU) On the evening of February 19, three
near-simultaneous grenade attacks/explosions occurred in and
near downtown Kigali. The attacks targeted a
restaurant/supermarket, a multiple-story office building, and
the city's main bus/taxi station, killing two individuals and
reportedly injuring at least 18. Post cleared with CA and on
the night of February 19-20 issued a warden message to
resident Amcits. (Note: No Amcits were injured, and the
attacks did not specifically target U.S. or Western
interests, however some Amcits such as Peace Corps Volunteers
or tourists make use of local transport.) CDA and polcouns
drove by the three sites on February 20. All were
open/functioning, with minimal or no signs of damage, and
there were no additional police or security personnel visible.
2. (U) Police so far have arrested three suspects. Police
spokesman Eric Kayiranga reportedly told local media on
February 21 that one of the three men had confessed to the
crime. Earlier, when confirming the attacks, Kayiranga
speculated that they could have been the work of criminals,
the FDLR, "Interahamwe," or simply an accident.
3. (C) To date, we have not seen any public statement by a
senior Government of Rwanda (GOR) official other than
Kayiranga about the attacks. (Note: All senior officials
were scheduled to be in Gisenyi (Rubavu) from the evening of
February 19 through February 23, to participate in an annual
government retreat. End Note.) National Security Service
external affairs chief Joseph Nzabamwita told CDA February 20
via telcon that he believed the attacks were more likely
criminal in nature than connected to the FDLR.
4. (C) COMMENT: While there has been a series of grenade
"discoveries" or attacks in Rwanda since mid-December, the
last such attack in Kigali dates from early 2009. We do not
yet have a clear indication of who was responsible and--as
with the previous set of incidents--authorities in general
and semi-official media remain tight-lipped. The political
temperature in Rwanda had already begun to rise following the
January 16 arrival of Ingabire. These attacks have further
elevated anxieties in advance of Rwanda's August 2010
presidential elections. END COMMENT.
CASPER