Kizito Mihigo Peace Foundation

The Kizito Mihigo Peace Foundation, also called KMP Foundation, is a Rwandan non-governmental organization created in 2010 by the Rwandan gospel musician Kizito Mihigo. The foundation's main objective is to promote peace and reconciliation after the 1994 genocide.[1]

Kizito Mihigo Peace Foundation.
Founded2010
TypeNon-profit
NGO
Location
ServicesPeacebuilding after genocide
Key people
Kizito Mihigo
Websitewww.kmp.rw

Activities

In 2011, in partnership with the United States embassy in Kigali, World Vision International and the Rwandan government, KMP Foundation begin a tour of concerts in Rwandan schools and prisons. In schools, the goal is to promote the youth education on peace and reconciliation values, as well as the establishment of peace clubs. In prisons, the singer's aim is to generate debates with inmates about the crimes committed, before creating the dialog clubs called "conflict transformation clubs".[1][2]

From 2012, KMP Foundation organizes the interreligious dialogue. The debate between religious leaders is broadcast on the national television, every Tuesdays at 22 p.m., through the program "Umusanzu w'Umuhanzi" produced by the foundation.[2][3]

In 2012, KMP protests against discrimination of albinos in Africa.[4]

Awards

In August 2011,on behalf of the KMP Foundation, Kizito Mihigo receives CYRWA award (Celebrating Young Rwandan Achievers) given by the Imbuto foundation, organization of the First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame.[1][5]

In April 2013, the Rwanda Governance Board recognizes the Kizito Mihigo Peace foundation (KMP) among the top ten local NGOs that have promoted good governance in Rwanda. On this occasion, the Foundation received the "RGB award" of Rwf 8,000,000 (eight million Rwandan Francs).[6]

Cessation of activities

KMP closed its doors in April 2014, when musician Kizito Mihigo was arrested by the Rwanda National Police for suspicion of crimes against the State Security.[7][8][9]

On 27 February 2015, the singer was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy against the government of President Paul Kagame.[10]

The judge of the Kigali High Court had been more clement than the prosecutor who had requested life imprisonment for the singer.[11]

On 10 September 2018, the singer abandoned his appeal complaint, which he had himself lodged in the Supreme Court. Four days later, on 14 September, with Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, Mihigo is released by presidential grace.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Kizito Mihigo uses music to promote peace and reconciliation". The New Times. 20 November 2012.
  2. "Kizito Mihigo using music to spread peace in society". The Independent. 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
  3. "Kizito Mihigo Peace foundation". Berkley Centre. 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  4. "L'association de Kizito Mihigo s'insurge contre la discrimination des albinos". Rwandaises.com (in French). 3 January 2012.
  5. "Kizito Mihigo urges artists to promote peace through music". AllAfrica.com. 11 April 2014.
  6. "Rwanda:Civil society organs win RGB grants". Great Lakes Voice. 21 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  7. "Kizito Mihigo, chanteur vedette et accusé en aveux". Le Soir (in French). 25 April 2014.
  8. "Rwanda 20 ans, un pouvoir autoritaire? Et alors?..." France Inter (in French). 7 May 2014.
  9. "Rwanda-complot: Arrestation d'un célèbre chanteur". Arrêt sur Images (in French). 18 April 2014.
  10. "10 ans de prison pour le chanteur populaire Kizito Mihigo". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). 27 February 2015.
  11. "Rwanda – Kizito Mihigo : que devient le chanteur chrétien muselé ?". Jambo News (in French). 10 November 2017.
  12. "Kizito Mihigo, Victoire Ingabire get presidential pardon". The New Times. 15 May 2018.
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