Protests over UK's arrest of Rwandan spy chief end

Protests have come to an end after protesters spent days camping at the British High Commission in Kigali following the arrest of the Rwanda head of the National Intelligence and Security Services General Karenzi Karake.

Karake was arrested on June 20 by the UK police claiming there was an indictment issued by a Spanish Judge. He was however granted bail by the UK court on Thursday subject to 1 million pounds (about Rwf 1.2 billion) surety.

The general will stay at the Rwandan High Commissioner's house, report to police daily until the next hearing scheduled for September 28, according to the conditions of the bail.

Fidel Ndayisaba, Mayor of Kigali City on Sunday appealed to protesters to end demonstration since Karake was released on bail.

"We want calmness in the city so that people go back to their daily businesses. We should wait for the next hearing which is in three months time and see the outcome," he told angry protesters.

Protesters and the mayor had intense negotiations on ending demonstrations; finally they agreed but promised to turn to streets if Karake is not allowed to return to Rwanda in September.

"We have ended the protests but this will not stop us from engaging the UK government to free our hero. We are waiting for the next hearing; we hope the outcome will be positive," said George Mutangana, one of the protesters.

In 2008 the Spanish judge indicted 40 senior Rwandan military officials over alleged war crimes and genocide during the 1990s.

Meanwhile Rwandans have launched a campaign to raise 1 million Pounds as surety for Karake. The initiative dubbed Ishema Ryacu (loosely translated as 'Our Pride') has so far raised 100,000 Pounds (about Rwf120 million).

Bank accounts have been opened in various local banks to facilitate more contributions to the cause and telecom companies have been called upon to help with the use of mobile money services and outreach messages. Endi