Rwanda: calls for a strong international response to the assassination of opposition Colonel Patrick Karegeya

 

  Objet: Rwanda: calls for a strong international response to the assassination of opposition Colonel Patrick Karegeya

Lausanne, January 1^st, 2014

FDU-INKINGI calls for a strong international response to the assassination of Colonel Patrick Karegeya in South Africa.

Today, the opposition hero, Colonel Patrick Karegeya was assassinated in Johannesburg (South Africa). This comes after his colleague, General Kayumba Nyamwasa survived two attempts in June 2010.

Many Rwandan opposition figures have been murdered inside and outside Rwanda. For example, on 13 July 2010, the late André Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was murdered in Butare (Rwanda) on the eve of the Presidential election won by President Paul Kagame with over 93% ; on 16 May 1998, former Interior Minister Seth Sendashonga, was assassinated in Nairobi (Kenya) after launching an opposition party. Critic journalists have been murdered inside the country and in exile. Key opposition leaders are languishing in prison on politically motivated charges : Only in December 2013, Madam Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, FDU-INKINGI Chair, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison ; Mr. Sylvain Sibomana, FDU-INKINGI interim secretary general has been handed a sentence of two years ; Mr. Deogratias Mushayidi, the President of PDP Imanzi, was given a life sentence in 2011 ; Mr. Bernard Ntaganda, the founding President of PS Imberakuri is serving a 4 year jail term. The former Present Pasteur Bizimungu and the former Minister Charles Ntakirutinka, have served hefty sentences after the creation of their opposition party PDR Ubuyanja.

The fact that the international community has been incoherent and non-vocal on crimes committed by the current regime has encouraged the dictator and his henchmen to eliminate key opposition leaders.

FDU-INKINGI would like to extend deep condolences to the family of Colonel Patrick Karegeya and to all members of the opposition, on the death of this hero and icon of liberation of our country, a freedom fighter and a great soldier.

For the sake of lasting peace in Rwanda, we call upon a strong international response to this political assassination.

Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana, Coordinator

FDU-INKINGI coordinating committee