Callixte Nsabimana, aka Sankara, spokesperson for Rwandan rebels National Liberation Force (NLF) told the judge in Rwanda that Zambian president Edgar Lungu funded his rebels to attack Rwanda. The Writing
The NLF is a military branch of a Rwandan opposition political party, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change led by Rwandan dissident Paul Rusesabagina.
Nsabimana appeared on Monday in court where he pleaded guilty to all charges, but said he was misled by some people, including Kayumba Nyamwasa, a senior Rwandan army officer currently looking for asylum in Africa of South.
Speaking on Monday to Rwanda's International and Cross-Border Crimes Judge, Nsabimana accused Zambian President Edgar Lungu of pledging them $ million, but he advanced a hundred thousand dollars and allowed them to operate in his country to overthrow the Rwanda government.
Nsabimana was NLF's spokesperson, and he is accused of attacking villages in the south of the country, killing people, looted and destroying property.
Zambia refutes accusations
The Zambia Presidency has refuted the reports of local and international media that have taken over this news suggesting that President Edgar Lungu provided financial resources to a Rwandan organization named NLF to launch attacks in Rwanda.
President Lungu's Press Assistant, Mr. Isaac Chipampe, said tonight that the allegations were false and should be treated with the contempt they deserve.
′′ The Presidency noted with great dismay in the local and international media the allegations submitted to the High Court of Rwanda for international and cross-border crimes that His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia reportedly provided financial resources to a Rwandan organization named NLF to launch attacks in Rwanda ", Mr. Chipampe.
′′ The Presidency would like to categorically refute these allegations and unequivocally wishes to say that these allegations are false and must be treated with the contempt they deserve. ′′
He added that the government, the people of Zambia and Rwanda continue to maintain strong and fraternal relationships based on mutual respect and a common goal based on shared values and principles.
The accused faces several charges, including the formation of an irregular armed group, complicity in terrorist acts, conspiracy and incitement to commit terrorist acts, hostage-taking, murder and looting.
Captured before extradition to Rwanda, Sankara was found with a Lesotho passport under the name of Kabera Joseph, born in Masisi, DRC, acquired in 2013 and paid for 5 South African rand (300 $ USD). The prosecution says it's a fake passport.The Zambian government has rejected the allegations that President Edgar Lungu has financially supported a group of rebels in Rwanda. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Lungu's spokesperson Isaac Chipambe said Lusaka would not want to jeopardize his strong and brotherly relations with Kigali by supporting the acts of destabilization of Rwandan rebel leader Callixte Nsabimana.
′′ The governments and peoples of Zambia and Rwanda continue to maintain strong and brotherly relationships based on mutual respect ", Chipambe said.
Nsabimana, who is being tried for alleged terrorist attacks in Rwanda, said this week to a court in Kigali that he had received funding from Lungu and other foreign leaders in his war to overthrow President Paul Kagame.
He explained to the court that Lungu promised to donate a million dollars to his National Liberation Front to help him out of Kigali's administration.
Lungu had already paid a $ 150.000 down payment for rebel outfits, Nsabimana said.
He also accused Lungu of allowing his rebel group to operate from his country to overthrow the Rwandan government.
This is not the first time that Nsabimana, who was arrested and deported to Rwanda in April 2019, accuses Zambia of helping not only its group, but also others, to coordinate their operations.
In his statement to prosecutors, Nsabimana quoted several countries including Uganda, Burundi and Zambia.
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