Activists receive attention when they are in the public eye during the rally, fundraising, or commenting on YouTube, radio, and television. But much of the works of so-called activists are not visible to the general public. However, this behind-the-scenes work is essential and deserves to be recognized. The public needs to pay more attention to the work of activists. Who do they get funds from? How do they use them?
Recently, two so-called activists highlighted the hidden dark side of activism – Paul Rusesabagina and René Mugenzi – should wake the public up about activism. Maybe this time people need to take a closer look than ever before.
Who is really René Mugenzi?
Paul Rusesabagina rose to fame for allegedly saving Tutsis during the 1994 genocide against Tutsis; as a pure Hollywood product, he has a foundation, a large number of honorary doctorates, and a US Presidential medal.
And like many Hollywood success stories; Rusesabagina is not a superhuman that saved hundreds of Tutsis but a terrorist sponsor. Like many Hollywood stars who spend part of their lives in prison or in rehab; Rusesabagina’s story will also end in prison in Rwanda.
Unlike Rusesabagina, Mugenzi was born in southern Russia to Rwandan parents. The 44-year-old left Russia as a child and grew up in Rwanda; Mugenzi’s father, Joseph Mugezi, was closed to the government that carried out the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. He was convicted by a Gacaca court for the crimes of genocide. Now living in the Netherlands, Joseph was president of FDU-Inkingi, a terrorist group formed by perpetrators of genocide in the DRC. In fact, the Dutch government is in the process of revoking his Dutch nationality.
René Mugenzi fled the country at the age of 18 and three years later moved to the UK.
Like his father, he is a genocide denier; he frequently appears in the media claiming that there was a double genocide.
In fact, René Mugenzi is a product of the genocide denial movement which uses the children of genocide perpetrators to spread genocide denial propaganda with impunity on social media and other media outlet under activism cover.
Where does René Mugenzi get funds?
According to his profile available on the internet; he describe himself as a “Human rights activist, community organizer and politician” It has taken three months to be able to inform the public that René Mugenzi stole £220,000 (approx. Rwf279m) from St John the Baptist Cathedral while volunteering as its treasurer. Mugenzi first appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on July 15 and admitted fraud at the cathedral. His legal team fought for three months to prevent the public from knowing about the case.
However, Mugenzi had repeatedly appeared in the media, published photos of his location on social media, revealed his work addresses online and even stood to become an MP in 2015.
Terrorist fundraiser
Mugenzi stood to become an MP in 2015. However, his legal team claimed that Mugenzi – an activist, politician and whatever he calls himself – used gambling like a drug to deal with mental health issues.
In fact, Mugenzi had a secret contact with Kizito Mihigo while he was spend his sentence in prison; besides, they together penned a biography of Kizito.
After the liberation of Kizito, Mugenzi has frequent sent money to Kizito for sustaining his living and organize the failed evasion in collaboration with FDLR.
In addition, Mugenzi is an active fundraiser for MRCD and FLN. Mugenzi is a member of MRCD (Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Démocratique), which has an armed wing known as FLN (National Liberation Forces (Forces de Libération Nationale).
The FLN has publicly claimed responsibility for several attacks in Nyabimata with two people dying on the spot and a third victim succumbed to gunshot wounds later, while at least two others sustained injuries. The second attack targeted public transport with the assailants ambushing at least three buses on Kigali-Rusizi road, killing at least six passengers in Nyungwe forest, at Kitabi, Nyamagabe district; recently, in Musanze district.
Countering terrorism financing is an essential part of the fight against terror threat; to understand how Rusesabagina and Mugenzi through activism have been financing FLN will help to fight FLN and other terrorist groups.
Patrioticblog 