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Tanzanian People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) High Ranking Officer of Rwandan Descent Allegedly Defects to Rwanda

 

by AFROAMERICA NETWORK

 

Sources within Tanzanian army inform AfroAmerica Network that a high ranking officer within the Tanzanian army, known as Tanzanian People’s Defense Forces  (TPDF), has disappeared and is believed to have defected to Rwanda. He is suspected to have defected with highly sensitive military intelligence.

 

The high ranking officer, with the rank of Lt Colonel, only known under the name ofSelumbo, has disappeared as the relations between the Rwandan and Tanzanian governments are at a historical low. In recent days, the Tanzania Government has expelled thousands of illegal immigrants, the majority of whom are Rwandans. So far, Rwandan government officials have confirmed that more than 5,000 people and tens of thousand cattle have crosses into Rwanda. Thousands more chose to cross into the Mutukula border town of the Rakai District in Uganda, some saying that they fear repression if they were to return to Rwanda.

 

Following the expelling, medias close to the Rwandan government accused Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete of targeting Rwandan, even those with legal status, including Tanzanian citizens of Rwandan descent. Some medias went as far as to question the very citizenship of the Tanzanian president, alleging that he, himself, is a descendent of Burundians, since a Burundian citizen.

 

Whether the defection of the TPDF high ranking is related to the deterioration of the relations between Tanzanian and Rwandan government, this latest incident and the rhetoric in Rwandan government controlled media may not help ease the tension between the two neighboring countries.

 

Already, in Tanzania, there are numerous rumors alleging that several military officers of Rwandan descent have already deserted and fled to Rwanda over the last two weeks.

 

© 2013 AfroAmerica Network. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

FARDC Deserter Colonel Bisamaza Trying To Join Colonel Mboneza by AFROAMERICA NETWORK on  AUGUST 18, 2013

 

M23 Commander Colonel MbonezaSources within M23 Congolese rebels and PARECO-Union des Congolais Patriotes pour la Paix (UPCP) inform AfroAmerica Network that FARDC deserter ColonelRichard Bisamaza has entered the territories controlled by UPCP in the direction of Kiwandja in attempt to join M23 commander Colonel Mboneza. UPCP is led by General Kakulu Sikuli Vasaka Lafontaine.

 

Colonel Richard Bisamaza, accompanied with 60 fighters, reached the territory controlled by UPCP after spending a few days in the village of Mangurejipa in the Lubero territory in North-Kivu.

 

Colonel Bisamaza, from the Tutsi ethnic group, was the acting commander of the first sector of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in Beni,  when he deserted on Monday August 12, 2013, along with close to 60 troops.  He the last of the series of defections of Tutsi commanders within the FARDC.  He had been suspected for some times of trying to defect along with Colonel Ruhorimbere, the FARDC overall commander in Beni and Butembo (see our article M23 and Allies Reach Walikale; Progress Towards Kisangani; FARDC General Ruhorimbere to Defect?  of July 12, 2012) Both Colonel Bisamaza and  Colonel Ruhorimbere are from the ex-CNDP, the parent of M23, which is a proxy militia of the Rwandan Government. The Congolese government eventually redeployed General Ruhorimbere before he was able to defect and promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General.

 

©2013 AfroAmerica Network. All rights reserved.

 

 

           Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
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           Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
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