Government welcomed African Union communiqué calling for “forceful disarmament” of Rwandan ex-FAR and Interhamwe rebels in eastern DR Congo and support towards implementation of Joint Verification Mechanism. Rwanda rejected UN expert panel conclusion that Rwanda maintains “covert residual presence” in DR Congo. Investigative hearings into 1994 genocide in “gacaca” village courts officially began 15 January, with first trials expected February; up to 1 million Rwandans may face trials.

Threat to invade DR Congo withdrawn 20 December, but DRC alleged Rwandan military incursions had taken place over previous week and blamed Rwanda and proxies for violence eastern DRC. Oft-postponed opening of 8,000 Rwandan traditional courts to try cases from 1994 genocide promised for 15 January.

Meeting with UN Security Council Kigali 21 November, President Kagame criticised UN-backed voluntary disarmament of DR Congo-based Rwandan Hutu rebels; called for tougher measures, warning Rwanda might launch attack against rebels to pre-empt any attack by them. Rwanda and Uganda exchanged diplomatic expulsions over charges Rwanda helped train Ugandan People’s Redemption Army rebels. Editor of Umuseso newspaper convicted of defamation but acquitted of more serious charges of “divisionism”.

Rwandan and DR Congo governments agreed 5 October to deployment of joint monitoring teams to Bukavu and Goma, eastern DR Congo, as part of Joint Verification Commission (JVC) agreed September. European Union criticised Rwandan parliamentary report on NGO genocide ideology, fearing attempt at intimidation of opposition to government; Rwandan government criticised outside intervention. Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo signed agreement 26 October to set up mechanism for addressing regional security concerns.

Tensions on DR Congo/Rwanda border eased somewhat; countries agreed 22 September to set up joint border monitoring. President Kagame indicated 11 September Rwanda could waive death penalty in trials transferred from Arusha- based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; Prosecutor Hassan Jallow said August 40 cases could be transferred early 2005. Defendants boycotted proceedings in protest. Government requested Attorney General to investigate parliamentary claims of continuing “genocide ideology” in civil society groups; opposition claim probe excuse for crackdown.

Kigali said would intervene in DR Congo (DRC) to protect Congolese Tutsis following 13 August Burundi massacre of 160. Fears Rwanda will carry out threat either directly or through proxy groups. Ugandan, Rwandan and DRC ministers meeting Kampala 25 August agreed to disarm militia groups, including DRC-based Rwandan Hutu Interahamwe rebels. In separate development, ICTR prosecutor Hassan Jallow said had identified 40 cases to be transferred to Rwandan courts, prompting defence concerns about fairness of trials and Rwandan use of death penalty. Jallow further announced 18 August that ICTR would evaluate until 2005 possible Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) 1994 war crimes; current President Kagame was leader of RPF.

Government responded angrily to UN panel report claiming it broke Democratic Republic of Congo arms embargo, supplying weapons to RCD Congolese rebel group, which briefly took Bukavu, eastern DRC, in June. Former finance minister Emmanuel Ndindabahizi 15 July became 20th convicted of genocide of 81 indicted.

Rwandan border with DR Congo remained closed following outbreak of fighting in South Kivu province. Congo accused Rwanda of supporting dissident military officers, charge Rwanda denied. Tensions eased with talks 25 June in Nigeria and planned border monitoring (see Democratic Republic of Congo, above). Rwanda launched system of traditional tribunals to help judge thousands suspected of complicity in 1994 genocide.

Rwandan government threatened sending army back to DR Congo after 2 years’ absence if Kinshasa and MONUC prove unable to control Hutu Interamwhe rebels. UN Security Council condemned 14 May Rwandan incursions into DR Congo; denied by Rwanda. Leading Hutu militia leader Yussuf Munyakazi arrested in DR Congo and transferred to Rwandan war crimes tribunal’s (ICTR) detention centre in Tanzania to await trial on 1994 genocide charges, taking total number indicted by ICTR to 68. Government expressed concern at judge resignations, hinting at “external pressures”.

Rwandan troops carried out incursions into Burundi and, reportedly, DR Congo in pursuit of Hutu rebels in breach of peace agreement with DRC; government later asked UN to protect its border with DRC. 7 April marked 10th anniversary of commencement of Rwanda genocide, during which estimated 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu moderates slaughtered over 100 days by Hutu extremists. Dignitaries from around world commemorated anniversary with Rwandan citizens in ceremony in capital, Kigali.