“Democracy demands an Opposition Party”
Today is a historical day for Rwanda that will never be forgotten.
As Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.” The sacrifice for peace marched today in Rwanda as members of opposition groups opposition in Kigali, FDU-Inkingi and PS Imberakuri marched in a peaceful demonstration as Rwandan and Congolese groups presented a case against President Paul Kagame at the ICC today. The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands received a dossier requesting that President Kagame and his accomplices be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the DRC. Those crimes have been fully documented by UN reports, Mapping reports and the reports on M23 rebellion. In Kigali, 13 protesters were arrested then later released by are charged with
Capital FM News in Kenya reported, ““We are asking the prosecutor to indict Paul Kagame,” said Nkiko Nsengimana, a coordinator of Rwanda’s United Democratic Forces (FDU) party. The FDU is the party of opposition leader Victoire Ingabire and is not recognized by Kigali.
Close to 100 protesters gathered outside the ICC’s heavily-fortified building in The Hague where they chanted slogans such as “Kagame, assassin!” and “Kagame under arrest”.
Lawyer Christopher Black said the request to prosecute Kagame for war crimes committed since March was filed on behalf of the FDU and a second opposition group, the Rwandan National Congress.
Florence Olara, spokeswoman for Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s office, acknowledged receipt of the Rwandan request, saying “we will analyse the information received as we do with all… communications to the Prosecutor.”
In video’s later posted to YouTube there were cheers, rejoicing and victory dances outside The Hague as Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa and Dr. Nikko Nsengimana along with Counsel Barrister Christopher C. Black were received and held up the letter that their complaint was filed and will be investigated.
While there was rejoicing in Holland there is also amazing hero’s in Rwanda today as well. To protest in on Rwandan soil is illegal and many can and have found themselves shot for doing so. Those arrested today were released but will face charges of illegal demonstrations and unlawful gatherings. Their fight for democracy will not go unnoticed and their safety will be kept forefront in the media that focuses on opposition activities regarding Rwanda. Their efforts will never be disregarded and their cases will be followed closely so the justice system in Rwanda, which is headed by President Paul Kagame, will continue to be in the spotlight as it is for the many political prisoners who continue to be held simply for being opposition to the current ruling party. Names on the top list of key leaders in Kigali maximum prison are Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, Chair of FDU-INKINGI; Mr. Bernard Ntaganda, founding President of the Parti Social Imberakuri; Mr. Deo Mushayidi, President of PDP Imanzi; Mr. Charles Ntakirutinka, founding leader of PDR Ubuyanja and others are scattered in different prisons. For example Mr. Sylvère Mwizerwa (Parti Social Imberakuri) is detained in Kimironko detention facility; Dr. Théoneste Niyitegeka, one of the challengers of President Kagame in the 2003 presidential elections, was arrested after the exercise and sentenced to a 15 year term, he is in Mpanga prison. Mr. Eric Nshimyumuremyi, PS Imberakuri local leader in Kicukiro, survived a police gun shot on 15 September 2011, but was since imprisoned in Kigali Central prison.
As Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza said in an earlier interview, “He (Paul Kagame) cannot arrest the whole country!”
The Hague, 17th August 2012
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT RECEIVES COMPLAINT AGAINST PRESIDENT KAGAME
Today Friday 17 August 2012, at 11:30, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague has received the complaint formally presented by opposition parties FDU-Inkingi, Rwandan National Congress (RNC), Congolese organisations and members of civil society Women’s International Network for Peace and Development (RIFDP – Canada, Belgium, Netherlands).
Counsel Barrister Christopher C. Black and Nkiko Nsengimana on behalf of the platform FDU-Inkingi/RNC and other complainants submitted the dossier. The ICC acknowledged with a letter of receipt herewith attached.
We wish to invite Rwandans, Congolese, Africans and the rest of the international community to support this demand for justice.
COORDINATING COMMITTEE FDU-INKINGI
Coordinator
Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana
Lausanne, Switzerland
nkiko.nsengimana@bluewin.ch
RWANDA NATIONAL CONGRESS (RNC)
Interim Committee,
Co-ordinator.
Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa,
Washington DC, USA
Mr. Kagame, the world is watching you, holding you accountable and you can no longer hide behind your impunity!
