In a joint statement released this 24th of February, the two main Rwandan opposition parties, the Unified Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi) and Rwanda National Congress (RNC), publicly condemn the possibility of a third term for President Kagame.
Theogene Rudasingwa, former right-hand man of Kagame, with members of FDU-Inkingi
Between the 19th and 24th of February, delegates of both political parties gathered in Johannesburg for a joint meeting that aimed at 'pursuing the efforts necessary to empower the structures and reach the goal to transform the country.'
In the statement that was published on the last day of the meeting, Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana, head of the FDU delegation, writes: ''The meeting condemns in the strongest terms possible the current manoeuvres by President Paul Kagame to amend the constitution allowing him to stand for a third term and continue exacting human rights violations in Rwanda and in the Great Lakes region. The meeting calls upon all Rwandans, all neighbouring countries and the international community to roundly condemn the efforts by President Kagame to endlessly perpetuate himself in power in Rwanda.''
'After 2017'
The condemnation follows two weeks after the establishment of a 'post-2017 taskforce' by the Rwandan Head of State. The taskforce, consisting out of three senior members of his ruling party Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), is 'to come up with a transition formula that will ensure change, continuity and stability after 2017', when President Kagame's second term ends.
Third term?
Speculations about a third term for the President have escalated after a CNN interview with Christiane Amanpour in which Kagame was asked if he would hand over power by 2017. ''Don't worry about that. We have the constitution in place. We have always tried to do our best to satisfy the needs of our people and expectations of our people'', he said. When further asked if this meant yes, he elaborated: ''No. It is a broad answer to say you don't need to worry about anything.''
According to the current Rwandan constitution, the President is obliged to resign after two terms.
RNC and FDU-Inkingi
FDU-Inkingi is the political party of Victoire Ingabire, one of President Kagame's political opponents, accused of terrorism, divisionism and negationism by prosecutors in Kigali. She has been in prison since the 14th of October 2010 and continuously pleaded not guilty. Her defense representatives and various human rights groups say charges against her are politically motivated
Rwanda National Congress (RNC) is a political party formed by Colonel Karegeya, former head of military intelligence under President Paul Kagame's regime, General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, former Army Chief of Staff, Theogene Rudasingwa, former right-hand man of Paul Kagame and other defectors of Kagame's administration. The party continuously calls for the Rwandan president's departure.
Jane Nishimwe
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