Rwanda: Alleged assassination attempt on female opposition politician

By Rwanda News Agency
Tuesday, 25 May 2010

VP Pasteur Pastor Noel Hakizimfura (right) is accused of hatching the assassination plan on his boss.

Kigali: Police has arrested a man who had allegedly planned to set ablaze the house of Ms. Mukabonane Christine – who heads a splinter faction of the opposition PS Imberakuri party, RNA reports.

The youthful man Uwayezu Theophile was arrested Monday night in possession of five litters of petrol, five litters for acid, candles, lighters and a rope - after his plan fell-through as he ran short of fire materials. The house did not catch fire.

The suspect has told police that the entire plan was hatched by party VP Pastor Noel Hakizimfura, who had wanted to replace his boss - to be the one carrying the party flag in the August 09 presidential polls.

In March, Mr. Hakizimfura connived with then PS Imberakuri VP Ms. Mukabonane and another official Mr. Niyitegeka Augustin to defect from the party leader Bernard Ntaganda. The three held an impromptu delegates conference where they ousted Mr. Ntaganda, and setting up new structures.

The embattled Ntaganda fought back reaffirming control over the PS Imberakuri by firing Ms. Mukabonane from the post of Vice president and expelling her from the party.

What was then PS Imberakuri now has two extreme factions – with that of Ms. Mukabonane being accused of leaning towards the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).

However, reports arose recently suggesting that Ms. Mukabonane could be on the verge of being thrown out by the faction by her two male party colleagues.

The latest arsonist attack according to the arrested Uwayezu was meant to get rid of the woman politician. The alleged arsonist claims that Mr. Hakizimfura had promised to pay for him tuition to attend university education in Burundi if the plan was successfully executed.

As part of the deal to execute the attack, Mr. Hakizimfura apparently provided cash of 30,000 Francs (Approx. $52) which Uwayezu used to by the materials in Kayonza district of eastern Rwanda.

Police said investigations are still ongoing – suggesting he may not have acted alone. Mr. Hakizimfura was also arrested Tuesday.

The authorities say the men will be handed to prosecution, and could soon be paraded in court.

 

Party faction boss Ms. Mukabonane Christine was to be burnt in her house here in Kigali. Mr. Hakizimfura apparently wanted her out of his so he could lead the party into the coming presidential elections.