Rwanda’s Investigation Bureau has arrested three senior officials from the country’s Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, along with four businessmen, over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The detained officials—Augustin Rwomushana (Strategy and Minerals Market), John Kanyangira (Traceability), and Richard Niyongabo (Mining)—were taken into custody in Kigali. Authorities have not disclosed the exact date of the arrests.
The suspects are accused of using their positions for personal gain, amassing illicit wealth, and engaging in money laundering, the bureau said in a statement.
This development follows European Union sanctions in March against the board’s head, Francis Kamanzi, for allegedly exploiting mineral resources in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through support for the M23 rebel group. Kamanzi has since been barred from entering the EU and had his assets frozen.
A UN report claims Rwanda maintains de facto control over the M23 and has stationed thousands of troops in the DRC. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels to exploit gold, coltan, and other valuable minerals—an allegation Rwanda denies. Kigali insists its involvement is to counter threats from militia groups linked to the 1994 genocide.
AFP
