Former army official declared fugitive

A former Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) member of parliament, Valens Kajeguhakwa, has been declared a fugitive by the Rwandan government, Rwanda News Agency (RNA) reported on Tuesday. Kajeguhakwa who was the owner of the African Continental Bank (BACAR) is currently suspected to be hiding in the US. Rwanda’s director of prosecution, Gerald Gahima told journalists on Monday that he was pursuing one of the country’s leading bankers who is accused of stealing government and Rwandans’ money in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. He said the suspect had stolen more than US $7 million. He reportedly stole the money from government agencies and former officials of the Hutu-led government who fled into exile after genocide. “Kajeguhakwa should be considered a fugitive who should be arrested and prosecuted for this crime,” Gahima said. “We will use all possible international instruments to have him arrested so that he can answer for this act”. Kajehuhakwa is believed to have fallen out with the current government several years ago, RNA said. He said in a letter sent to Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame from California, USA, early this month that the accusations against him were “politically motivated”. “There is not a single Rwandan who does not know that my relations with the current regime have never been good,” he said. “There are many reasons, the main one is being independent-minded in the everyday life,” the letter added. But Gahima said that by now, three directors of the bank have been detained to assist with investigations. “Some of them have pleaded guilty and asked for pardon,” he said, adding that Kajeguhakwa’s son Christian, is also being sought. “If Kajeguhakwa is sure he is innocent, I promise I will protect him, let him come and defend himself while on bail,” Gahima said.