The opposition party in exile FDU-Inkingi expresses its indignation and deep concern over the recently concluded presidential and legislative elections in Rwanda. The regime of General Paul Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) has once again shown its determination to remain in power by excluding any genuine political opposition and through authoritarian and coercive methods.
General Kagame, who has been in power for 30 years, has once again awarded himself a new 5-year mandate as Head of State, succeeding himself for the fourth time running. These elections were nothing but a parody of democracy. They were funded by money extorted from the Rwandan population where salaried persons had to pay up to 30% of their salaries and took place in an environment of threats and systematic repression against critical voices. The 99.18% score achieved by General Kagame is further proof, if any were needed, of the lack of democratic competition for power, with real opponents were excluded from the race by the regime.
The statements and acts of verbal violence by General Kagame, notably his remarks targeting Ms. Victoire Ingabire, the main opponent, and direct intimidation of voters during the voting, once again confirm the oppressive nature of the regime. On election day, explicit instructions were given by local authorities to vote for Paul Kagame, and to avoid any risk, voters were accompanied into the voting booths to ensure compliance with instructions.
After 30 years in power, the RPF’s record is appalling. It is characterized by a youth unemployment rate exceeding 40%, citizens impoverished by expropriations without compensation and are burdened by arbitrary taxes, an economy dependent on external aid which represents more than 10% of GDP, and debt reaching 71.30% of GDP. The regime is more concerned with its eternal image for it to keep its grip on power rather than respecting the fundamental human rights of its citizens who have been subdued through violence and coercion.
The RPF regime does not only repress its own people, but it also destabilizes the region through proxy rebellions that it creates and supports including M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Red Tabara in Burundi, causing mayhem, desolation and committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The rule of the RPF regime over the last 30 years has demonstrated that there no hope of achieving lasting peace and stability in Rwanda and the sub region without political change in Rwanda. The extension of the term of office of President Kagame means more of the same: national and transnational repression as well as an aggressive foreign policy. Furthermore, the RPF has not been able to solve the refugee problem; on the contrary, the situation has worsened. Indeed, the number of Rwandan refugees when the RPF attacked Rwanda in 1990, claiming to aim for their return, has doubled, with refugees scattered across the Great Lakes region and other countries around the world, fleeing the terror of Kagame’s regime.
Considering this situation, we call on the international community to use all its financial, legal, and diplomatic leverages to exert maximum pressure on the Kigali regime to open the political space in Rwanda. We appeal Rwandan political and civil society actors come together and pool together their forces in a single movement for change. Together, we can build a better future for Rwanda, based on democracy, justice, and respect for human rights.
We therefore call for national and international solidarity to end national and transnational repression and pave the way for true democracy and the rule of law in Rwanda.
Done in Brussels, on 07/23/2024
Placide Kayumba
Chairman of the FDU-Inkingi