FDU-Inkingi Refutes Allegations of FDLR Connections.

Zevenhuizen, 7th December 2009

OPEN LETTER TO H.E. MR. BAN KI-MOON, UN SECRETARY–GENERAL, ON THE
FINAL REPORT OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF CONGO (DRC) RE-ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 1857 (2008)

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Secretary-General
1st Avenue, 46th Street
New York, NY 10017

Your Excellency,

The United Democratic Forces UDF-Inkingi is shocked by allegations contained in the final report of the UN Group of Experts who claimed that some UDF-Inkingi members are in contact with FDLR military leadership. These malicious fabrications and lies reveal nothing but the interference of the Rwandan regime in fuelling rumours to the experts’ panel. We categorically reject and condemn all these vicious accusations targeting our political organisation and its members without even the slightest direct credible evidence. In order to prove our good faith, we are even eager to meet with these experts and clear our name.

Indeed, since our organisation publicly unveiled its readiness to participate in the forthcoming 2010 presidential elections in Rwanda, the government of Rwanda and its lobbies engaged in an unprecedented hateful and devious campaign in order to undermine the determination of our leadership to go back home and challenge the incumbent regime in a democratic election. It’s sad indeed to realise that so-called UN experts are used to sow seeds of confusion by spreading baseless hearsay as if it is absolute truth. The report alleges that FDLR military leaders are in phone contact with Mr. Jean-Baptiste Mberabahizi, our Secretary-General and Naom Mukakinani, a UDF-INKINGI member’s spouse. The Group goes on to accuse Mrs. Victoire Ingabire, the UDF-INKINGI's chairperson, of attending the “Inter-Rwandan Dialogue” on the invitation of the S’Olivar Foundation. The S’Olivar Foundation is a peaceful non-governmental organisation which has been involved in organising dialogue between all kinds of Rwandans. Meetings of the Inter-Rwandan Dialogue are always open for all Rwandans to attend. Even members of the ruling RPF party, duly invited by S’Olivar, attended some of its sessions. This proves beyond any doubt that this NGO has no hidden or ill-motivated agenda, as wrongly claimed by the so-called Group of UN Experts.

Moreover, the UDF-INKINGI finds the amalgamation between the warrants of arrest issued by Spanish justice and an alleged conniving with FDLR leadership unbelievable.
This completely disregards the fact that the Spanish judiciary is independent of the executive branch of the Spanish government, contrary to the government in Rwanda. Had the UN carried out investigations into RPF crimes, the Spanish judiciary would have not needed to be involved in this particular case.

Despite this smear campaign, the UDF-INKINGI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a peaceful and democratic resolution of Rwanda's political crisis. We strongly believe that all Rwandans deserve a truely democratic government and a peaceful transfer of power. It is our wish that the UN backs this constructive stand instead of engaging in rumor mongering.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA
UDF-INKINGI Chairperson