Hungry for Truth, Peace and Justice

RWANDA: DEEPENING SECURITY SITUATION IN RWANDA

The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda which brings together, The United Democratic Forces (FDU–Inkingi), The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, is deeply concerned with the continued grenade attacks which are destabilising the security situation in the country, these barbaric acts are causing a serious security and political crisis to the people of Rwanda.

Our country has indeed suffered a lot, many people have died, we need no more war, no more killings. We strongly condemn all these violent means being used to threaten the Rwandan People and make the upcoming presidential elections a nightmare.

We condemn in the strongest terms possible the use of violence and the authors of the continued grenade attacks in Kigali city and elsewhere in Rwanda. The Opposition Parties have embraced non- violence to change the political situation in Rwanda.

We also strongly condemn the arrest and intimidation of political opponents; sabotage and non-registration of opposition parties.

We believe that without a discussion on creating a level playing field for the 2010 election, the legitimacy of the results will remain a problem.

We seriously condemn the suspension of independent newspapers by the Rwandan High Media Council and its recent decision to ban UMUSESO and UMUVUGIZI Newspapers for good, (freedom of the press is a fundamental right, citizens of Rwanda have a right to balanced information).

The escalation of this crisis is no secret any more: arrest and intimidation of political opponents; sabotage and non-registration of opposition parties, arbitrary detention and exile of army senior officers; suspension of independent newspapers; (unexplained repeating grenade blasts in Kigali city) and “near-war” speeches from the President.

The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda urge:

- The Government to take all necessary measures to thoroughly investigate these barbaric killings and continued security threats, prosecute those responsible, ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all citizens and inform Rwandans about this unrevealing grenade terror.

- The Government to register the FDU INKINGI and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda without any further delay.

- The Government to put an end to the harassment, intimidation and withdraw the politically motivated trials of opposition leaders.

- The Government to immediately release the new electoral code and set up a consensus based national electoral commission.

We officially call upon the international community and all bilateral partners of Rwanda to take an active role in the peaceful process for achieving a lasting solution to the current political situation in Rwanda.

Issued at Kigali, 19th May 2010

Signed by:

Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Chairperson, United Democratic Forces

Mr. Frank Habineza
Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

Me. Bernard Ntaganda
Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI

Source.

posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 11:58 PM