
Audio By Carbonatix
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has given his backing for the speedy transfer of Congolese war crimes suspect Bosco Ntaganda to the International Criminal Court (ICC).Known as "The Terminator", he surrendered to the US embassy in Kigali on Monday.Rwanda would help facilitate his transfer to The Hague "as fast as possible", Mr Kagame said.Gen Ntaganda has been a key figure in the conflict in eastern DR Congo.The ICC has charged him with 10 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, accusing him of using child soldiers, keeping women as sex slaves and participating in the murder of at least 800 people in 2002 and 2003.Gen Ntaganda denies the charges.Transfer 'within days'He has fought for various rebel groups as well as the Congolese army in a country riven by ethnic divisions and a battle for control of its mineral resources.Most recently, he was believed to be one of the leaders of the M23 rebel movement, which is fighting government troops in the east.He has also fought for the army of Rwanda, which denies UN accusations that it backs the M23."We will work to make what the US embassy needs in relation to Bosco Ntaganda's case happen as fast as possible," Mr Kagame said in a statement.His comments came a day after US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Johnny Carson, said it was important that Gen Ntaganda's movement from the embassy to the airport was "in no way inhibited".Mr Carson said he hoped that ICC officials, who were en route to Rwanda, would be allowed into the country.Neither Rwanda nor the US recognise the ICC.On Wednesday, the court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said she expected Gen Ntaganda to be handed over in "a couple of days".The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Gen Ntaganda seven years ago.The DR Congo government said Gen Ntaganda, who comes from the Tutsi ethnic group, crossed into Rwanda on Saturday after he and some of his followers were defeated by a rival faction of the M23 group.Rwanda denies helping Gen Ntaganda to flee DR Congo, or arranging his surrender to the US embassy, which is near the defence ministry in Kigali.Rwanda's government is also dominated by Tutsis and Gen Ntaganda fought with the former rebels who are now in power in Kigali.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Kwahu Business Forum 2026: Corporate citizenship, sustaining African businesses take centre stage with KGL as the case study
50 minutes -
Trump seeks $152m to reopen notorious Alcatraz prison
3 hours -
Ex-Chelsea player Oscar retires with heart issue
3 hours -
CA Foundation drives constitutional literacy in Kpone Katamanso municipality
3 hours -
GPRTU to hold talks with Transport Ministry over rising fuel costs
3 hours -
CUTS International urges gov’t to halt sachet water price hike pending cost review
3 hours -
Chief Justice: Efficient Judiciary essential to reducing business costs
3 hours -
Bayern grabs 99th-minute winner to cap superb fightback
3 hours -
Ahmed Ibrahim urges Ghanaians to reflect Easter values in nation-building
3 hours -
ECG inefficiencies undermining power supply -Mahama outlines reforms
4 hours -
Lewandowski scores as Barca fight back to defeat Atletico
4 hours -
Lack of private sector consultation undermining economic growth – Jerry Ahmed Shaib
4 hours -
Real Madrid seven points adrift after Muriqi’s late Mallorca winner
4 hours -
Ghana must lead AfCFTA implementation by example – Trade Minister Ofosu-Adjare
4 hours -
Strong Judiciary key to business confidence – Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie
4 hours