Via AllAfrica -
Rwanda's Ambassador to the US James Kimonyo and his team have continued efforts to secure the extradition of Genocide suspect Isaac Kamali.
Kamali, who is number 27 on Rwanda's most wanted Genocide fugitives' list, was arrested by US security on Wednesday en route from France as he tried to enter the US through Philadelphia airport. He was traveling on a French passport.
The New Times has learnt that Kimonyo is already in contact with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of State over the matter, and that he had already served them with information about Kamali's role in the Genocide.
Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, who has for most of this week been in New York, US where he addressed members of the UN Security Council, is working closely with the embassy to secure the 58-year old fugitive.
"There are some contacts going on. Our Embassy has provided them (both US government departments) with necessary information, and we are waiting for a response. I hope in a day or two, we shall have received the feedback," Ngoga told this reporter by telephone from the US.
The extradition is threatened by the fact that the suspect holds a French passport, as well as lack of an extradition treaty between Rwanda and the US. However, Foreign Minister Charles Murigande said on Thursday that extradition was possible since the suspect is accused of committing Genocide. The US is signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention which obligates all signatories to ensure that Genocide culprits are brought to book. However, Washington D.C can also decide to prosecute him or transfer him to the UN-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Tanzania.
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