AMAHORO – FDU Inkingi – RNC PLATEFORM
CHANGING ARTICLE 101 OF THE CONSTITUTION IS A Rwandan RECIPE TO ONE PARTY RULE entrench AND A PATHWAY TO INSTABILITY
The decision of RPF party to endorse the change of Article 101 in order to enable incumbent President Kagame to run for a third term is a betrayal of the true wish of the population and a dangerous move.
While there is a general consensus in Africa and elsewhere que la future stability and sustainable economic development of the continent depends on building strong institutions and not strong men, the Rwandan diet is driving Rwandans in a reverse gear to build the cult of one strong man President Kagame. Like in religious ceremonies, the so called citizens’ Representatives-have-been streaming to Parliament to hand over signatures on petitions asking for the change of Article 101 in order to allow President Kagame to seek a third term in office. It is Alleged That 3. 7 million Rwandans Representing 72% of eligible voters, civil servants, students, youth movements, women groups-have written petitions to Parliament for the exchange of the constitutions. They include aussi Prisoners.
Rule 101 states That “` shall under no circumstances a person hold the office of President of Republic for more than two terms “. It is an open secret That citoyens are forced to sign the petitions and Said we-have evidence. Some people-have-been arrested This Even hesitating for gold Refusing to bend to pressure and sign the petitions.
We are quite Encouraged by the statement of the US Department of State and the stand of some African leaders Including President Zuma of South Africa, Ghana Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as well as Chairperson of the African he Union Commission, HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Rejecting exchange in the Constitutions to Accommodate the wishes of incumbent Presidents. We expect –other gouvernements to do the same if They Are to be taken gravement. We hope que le stand taken Towards Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo Will Be Applied to every country without fear or Favours.
officiellement The Reasons Given for the need to change the constitution to allow President Kagame to stand again Is That he ended genocide, brought` Promoted stability and economic progress, and That he Has No match Among Rwandans. Some-have gone as far as Even Considering President Kagame as “a twin brother of Jesus Christ,” son of God in Christianity, hence raising _him_ to the level of a deity. By implication, a deity as the next step is to build a monument and _him_ _him_ declared President for life.
Such a stand is an offense not only to the Dignity of all Rwandans as an intelligent, hardworking and well educated people to the goal aussi Dignity of Africa as a growing democracy. We Know That all Rwandans can rightfully claim ownership of the prevailing economic achievements.Moreover, long-term social and economic progress is linked to the rule of law, political and civil Freedoms, a vibrant civil society and independent media, all of qui are lacking in Rwanda today. The Celebrated much economic progress, ALTHOUGH with glaring and growing Inequalities, did not start with Kagame’s reign nor will it end with it. Most importantly, this economic and social progress can be stopped and reversed in the event the current crisis of governance, if it remains unresolved Peacefully, leads to another cataclysmic upheaval.
We are quite conscious That Contrary to the general belief, the cycle of political violence in Rwanda is due to violent competition for power and the use of power to Maintain it. It is quite tragic That since independence, all Presidents-have-been removed by violent means clustering. We-have to work to end this violence and Culture of Political foster the goodwill of every peace loving person.
As Tom Malinowski, the Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Human Rights and Labor / US State Department puts it, term limits encourages leaders to focus on leaving a good legacy, INSTEAD of Perpetuating Their Own power or building a personal guard or secret police force. They encourage ’em to invest in strong Such institutions as the justice system, a fair economic system, the schools, a health care system for all and a fair and transparent electoral system As They know they’ll-have to leave Eventually power. Moreover term limits make it harder to build systems of patronage and corruption by political Ensuring turnover, And They give new generations the opportunity to be leaders. The Rwandan people deserve no less.
Our political organizations reject the political manipulation of citoyens to consolidate the President’s personal power and That de son inner circle and Condemn unreservedly the repressive Dictatorship of the RPF party
Our political organizations call upon peace loving people and friends of Rwanda to help end this cycle of violence by putting pressure on President Kagame to respect the constitution.
We ask the international community to apply the same pressure across the Great lakes Region in Combating the trend to change constitutions to meet the wishes of incumbents.
We Would like to warn the international community Rwanda’s apparent That stability is deceptive Because It hides deep seated tensions, unresolved issues, and a totalitarian diet em qui contains only through violence. Condoning it is a green light to continue and to Condemn all Rwandans to an uncertain, unstable, and violent Possibly, future.
June 20, 2015
AMAHORO PC FDU-RNC IKINGI Ihuriro
Masozera Joseph, Etienne Bukeye, Théogène Rudasingwa
President, 2nd Vice – President, Coordinator
emasozera@hotmail.com jbukeye11@yahoo.fr ngombwa@gmail.com
