Transparency International welcomes progress in investigation of murder of Rwandan staff member

Transparency International welcomes the announcement of progress in the investigation of the murder of its respected employee Gustave Makonene on 17 July 2013.

The Rwandan police today presented to the public two police officers suspected of involvement in Gustave’s murder. Both suspects denied the allegations that they murdered Mr. Makonene because he was about to uncover a smuggling operation that they were involved in between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Mr. Makonene, our dear colleague, was a courageous man and we hope full investigation will not only bring the guilty to justice but alert the authorities of the need to protect the brave people who work to uncover corruption and put themselves at risk for the good of others,” said Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency International.

Mr. Makonene, 33, joined Transparency International Rwanda in 2011 and was working as a coordinator of the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre in Rubavu at the time of his death. His job was to help people who complained about corruption in their lives.

“For the past year Transparency International has called on the authorities to investigate fully the murder of our dear colleague Gustave and to find out the motive for his killing,” said Immaculée Ingabire, chair of Transparency International Rwanda. “We welcome this progress today and wait to hear more information about the investigation that led to the arrests.”

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