Iréné addressed the allegations in an extensive solo interview on his MIE YouTube channel, where he regularly hosts conversations with prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
At the beginning of the interview, Iréné said the discussion would be emotional but promised to speak openly about the issues surrounding Ishimwe Vestine and Idrissa Ouedraogo.
He also apologized for remaining silent despite being a journalist, explaining that he had chosen not to speak publicly because he was concerned about the safety and wellbeing of the artists he had been supporting.
Iréné began by referring to a letter written by Ishimwe Vestine and prayed that God would bless her.
“From the letter, she did not say everything, and that is what I appreciate about it. May God bless her.”
He added: “I know that as the years go by, people grow older, but there is one thing I will never regret: I will never regret that God used me to help you develop some of the talents you have and that people have come to appreciate.”
Iréné speaks about Vestine and Idrissa’s relationship
Iréné recalled the moment Vestine told him that she was in a relationship and was planning to build a life with someone.
“The day she came to my office and told me that she had someone they were in love with and that they were planning to live together, I was shocked.”
He explained that his reaction was partly because Vestine and Dorcas had recently completed secondary school, while he had hoped their music ministry would develop into an international career focused on evangelism.
Iréné said he was not aware of the relationship beforehand and only learned about it when Vestine came to his office and told him about her plans to meet the person she was dating.
He said that, despite his initial concerns, he chose to support her decision.
According to Iréné, people who can testify about the work he did with the artists are based in Europe, the United States, Canada and East Africa, where the duo had opportunities to perform.
“I was like a parent to them because we met when they were 16. After teaching them music, I also had to talk to them, advise them and guide them on other matters. You cannot fight love, so I chose to support her.”
‘People said I was the one who set her up with Idrissa’
Iréné also addressed claims that he was the person who connected Vestine with Idrissa Ouedraogo. “People said I was the one who gave her the ‘pass’ [introduced her to Idrissa Ouedraogo]. Whoever said that, may God forgive them.”
He criticized some social media users for presenting themselves as experts on a private relationship, arguing that a marriage is ultimately a matter between the two people involved.
He said people should be cautious about making claims concerning matters that the couple themselves have not publicly disclosed.
“The problem started from the beginning and eventually became something much bigger. I could not have been the one to make it bigger. She told me it would be better for me to remain here and rest, and to find a way for the child to be born in a safe situation. I respected that decision and went home.”
Iréné further said that Vestine had previously expressed serious emotional distress to him. “She told me, ‘I am going to die, I could die. You know I tried to take my own life.’ How could I commit the sin of telling her to come by force? Besides, an adult has the right to go wherever they want, especially when they have that legal right.”
‘I consider them my children’
Iréné said he considers both Vestine and Dorcas like his own children. “I always say this: I consider them my children because I also have a daughter. If you had heard how she spent hours crying in a room without coming out, they even took her phone away so that she would not post what she was going through on social media.”
He recalled another period when Vestine shared messages on social media while he was traveling. “When she posted some things on social media, I was on a plane and had reached the United Kingdom. She was going through emotional distress and posted them on social media.”
Iréné said that while he was in the United Kingdom, some people called him “Judas” and accused him of having ‘sold’ Vestine.
“You called me Judas while I was in the UK, saying that I had sold her. I accept being called Judas; I call myself Mordecai. Based on the claims that you made that the man gave me a lot of money, let him show the receipts for whatever he paid for, whether music or anything else.”
Iréné explains why he appeared before RIB
Iréné also spoke about his appearance before the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) following a complaint against him.
“He reported me to RIB. I have evidence because RIB called me and told me it was the department responsible for investigating people who traffic others. I gave my testimony, but I asked: Who did I traffic? The person you are saying I trafficked is an adult. Call her.”
According to Iréné, RIB contacted Vestine, who explained why she had remained in Canada. He said that after Vestine provided her explanation, the matter was clarified and he was told he could leave.
He denies claims that he impregnated Vestine
Iréné also addressed claims that he had impregnated Vestine, saying that some people allegedly paid social media users to spread the allegation.
“That part is easy; it is small compared with what you did. You know that God has taken us through this. I do not even need to explain myself by saying that I impregnated her.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the future of Vestine and Dorcas, who are widely known for their worship and gospel music.
Iréné urged the public to be cautious about believing everything they see or hear on social media, particularly when it concerns private matters involving other people.