Friday, 4 March 2016

[AfricaRealities.com] RWANDA: THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT DESPERATELY SEEKS TO TORPEDO THE APPLICATION OF MRS. VICTOIRE INGABIRE TO THE AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

http://www.fdu-rwanda.com/en/le-gouvernement-rwandais-cherche-desesperement-a-torpiller-la-requete-de-madame-victoire-ingabire-devant-la-cour-africaine-des-droits-de-lhomme-et-des-peuples/#more-4722

RWANDA: THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT DESPERATELY SEEKS TO TORPEDO THE APPLICATION OF MRS. VICTOIRE INGABIRE TO THE AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS

March 04, 2016

Following obstructions to the preparation of Mrs. Victoire Ingabire's trial by refusing to Me. Gatera Gashabana to meet with his client, after refusing the granting of visa to the Dutch lawyer, Me. Caroline Buisman to visit Rwanda in a timely manner and meet with Mrs. Victoire Ingabire, the Rwandan government has simply shunned the public hearings scheduled this March 4, 2016 before the Court in Arusha.

Having exhausted all delaying tactics, unable to derail the trial, the Rwandan government has notified the Court, in a letter dated 3 days ago, that it was withdrawing from the additional protocol allowing its citizens to seize the Court. However, the Rwandan government had already sent its submissions and had even recruited an Amicus Curiae in the person of the National Center for the Fight against Genocide, which is usually known for its baseless accusations. As if the Court had already granted such a withdrawal, the Rwandan government did not show up at the court hearings. It should be recalled that although Rwanda has the right to withdraw from the protocol, it is not up to the Court to decide on such a request, but the African Union which created the Court.

It is therefore clear that for fear of a domino effect the hearings may cause and considering the arguments presented in the submissions of the defense, the Rwandan government seeks to avoid any form of international justice. It is important to recall that Rwanda has categorically refused to ratify the agreement creating the International Criminal Court.

The party FDU Inkingi sees such an attitude as evidence for the weakness of the legal arguments that led to the condemnation of Mrs. Victoire Ingabire and reiterates its demand to see her unconditional release. If she were fairly sentenced, the Rwandan government would not be afraid to demonstrate it before an African court. Such an approach of the Rwandan government provides sufficient evidence on the true nature of Rwanda's judiciary, which stubbornly refuses to conform to international standards.

Accordingly, the party FDU Inkingi requests all donors of the Rwandan regime to review their positions and to urge the government to comply with its international obligations in the field of justice.

Finally, the party FDU Inkingi calls upon all countries hosting Rwandan refugees not to give any credence to extradition requests for Rwandan nationals to Kigali given such a blatant affront to the African international jurisdiction of which Rwanda had knowingly ratified the texts.

Done in Brussels, March 4, 2016.

Joseph Bukeye
2^nd Vice President of FDU-Inkingi
jbukeye11@yahoo.fr

VIU-GVRT-RWANDAIS.CADH-4Mars206-EN

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"Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate. Only Love Can Do That", Dr. Martin Luther King.

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Sunday, 28 February 2016

[AfricaRealities.com] Botswana refuses to recognise Museveni win, says elections were not free and fair

https://tuko.co.ke/98999-see-first-african-country-tell-museveni-rigged-power.html

Botswana refuses to recognise Museveni win, says elections were not free and fair

Edward Chweya 3 days ago 77292

See the first African country to tell Museveni, 'You rigged yourself to power'

– Yoweri Museveni was re-elected Ugandan president amid rebellion from the opposition and international observers who said the election was not free and fair

– A number of African countries including Kenya have since congratulated him for the controversial win

– However, Botswana has refused to recognise Museveni's win, saying it relies on report from international observers and believes the election was not democratic

– Museveni has rubbished those opposing his re-election

The re-election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for another term as president of Uganda has continued to elicit mixed reactions the world over, with the latest being refusal by an African country to recognize him as the duly elected leader of the East African nation.

Botswana is the only African country that has so far refused to accept Museveni's re-election, saying it is going by the report by international observers like the European Union and the Commonwealth.

In a statement by Botswana Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation, the South African nation says that it has taken note of the reports of international observer groups on the recent general election, and therefore does not believe that Museveni was genuinely elected as president.

"The Government of Botswana has observed that based on the findings of some international observers, the elections were characterised by, amongst others; lack of transparency, reported incidents of intimidation and harassment, social media restrictions, as well as continuous arrests and detention of a prominent leader of the opposition," the statement said.

Botswana further said that it is appalling that the elections were conducted amid sabotage of democratic rights and freedoms, and is concerned that the outcome is not true and authentic.

"Government of Botswana remains deeply concerned that such conduct during an election would have deeply undermined the norms of best practice governing democratic elections, as well as, the continent's efforts towards consolidation of democracy," the statement read further.

During the election, Uganda police closed down social media platforms, arrested key opposition leader Kizza Besigye and cracked down on the opposition for protesting the manner in which the election was being conducted.

There were also claims of massive rigging and closing down of polling stations in opposition strongholds to sabotage Besigye's possible win.

Museveni was eventually declared winner by the Ugandan electoral commission, garnering over 60% of the total votes cast. Besigye had 35.4% of the votes.

A number of African leaders have since congratulated Museveni. Among the countries include Kenya, Burundi, South Africa and Rwanda. Russia has also congratulated the old man.

President Uhuru Kenyatta found himself in the centre of a storm after congratulating Museveni. Angry Kenyans took to social media to disown his congratulatory message, saying he only did it as an individual and not on behalf of Kenyans.

Museveni has been in power since 1986 when he took over through a rebellion. He has also said that he does not subscribe to term limits, indicating he is likely to remain in power as long as he lives.

Image: BBC

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