Earlier this week, Rwanda’s social media was abuzz with divided opinions sparked by Saadate Munyakazi, a Rwandan businessman and staunch member of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party, who said that by 2050, Burundians and Congolese would be coming to Rwanda to “sweep the streets” and “clean toilets.” After this he apologized for his comment.
However, Rwanda’s derogatory comments about citizens of neighboring countries with whom Rwanda has diplomatic relations drew equal amounts of both support and harsh anger from the Rwandan public.
Oswald Mutuyezu, a journalist nominee of the year at Rwanda’s 2024 Development Journalism Awards, joined the debate, and his opinion appeared to support Munyakazi’s comments.
Foreign Minister’s weight
This did not please Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Taking it to your neighbors. The post was removed soon after.
Mutuyezu confirmed to DW that he removed his X comment after introspection, but he denied that it was due to pressure from the foreign minister.
He said, “After thinking for a long time, I realized that as a big follower it was my responsibility to remove my post, as it could have some diplomatic implications. But it was not because of the minister’s request.”
Mutuyezu said they could not be forced to withdraw their positions. He said he had a habit of cyberbullying and claimed that he had previously rejected requests from high-ranking officials to remove their posts.
groups like Human Rights Watch And Reporters Without Borders The government of Rwanda has been called intolerant of freedom of speech and expression, a charge Rwandan officials deny.
tension between neighbors
Rwanda’s relations with Burundi have been tense since 2015, when Burundi foiled a coup attempt against then-President Pierre Nkurunziza. Burundi accused Rwanda of being behind the failed coup plot.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be at a low ebb. An unresolved conflict in eastern Congo, where each country accuses the other of supporting rebels aiming to overthrow their respective governments, has not ended despite multiple international efforts to bring peace to the region.
Speaking about the incident involving the foreign minister and Mutuyezu, Emmanuel Mugisha, executive secretary of the Rwanda Media Commission, told DW, “As the foreign minister, he was right.”
Mugisha, whose organization is in charge of media self-regulation, said: “Maybe [the remarks on X] This could have increased tension between the three countries, but that [Nduhungirehe] Instead of commenting directly, the journalist could have been called directly on the phone. Because in the future, journalists will become desensitized before posting, thinking that some ‘big brother’ is keeping an eye on them.”
Mugisha said journalists should post without fear or favor as ministries or any public authority has no regulatory power over journalism.
Edited by: Cai Nebe