KIGALI- The Rwandan government on Tuesday strongly denied accusations of repression of opposition politicians and an apparent crackdown on independent media.
Foreign minister, Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, said recent actions where an opposition politician and two army generals were recently arrested and two independent newspapers temporarily banned, were justified. Presidential and general elections are just months away.
The minister, who also doubles as the government spokesperson, told reporters in Kigali that the arrests were lawful and that the elections would go on despite “an element of fear and panic.”
“We have no doubt about the reality on the ground [that] Rwandans are ready to participate in the elections,” said the minister.
In early April, a six month ban was slapped on two local newspapers and an opposition leader and presidential aspirant, Ms. Victoire Ingabire temporarily arrested.
Days later, two army generals were also arrested on charges of corruption, misuse of office and immorality while a Human Rights Watch official was denied a work permit and asked to leave the country.
Critics and human rights activists have accused the government of being increasingly intolerant to media criticism and political dissent, especially towards election period.
Mushikiwabo said the recent events may have created an element of fear and panic. “But I have lived in this country, and looking around, I don’t see many Rwandans panicking,” she added.
Rwandans go to the polls in August, this year, to elect their leaders in which the incumbent, President Paul Kagame is widely expected to win his second, seven-year term as provided by in the country’s constitution.
The country has been relatively stable since the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) captured power following the 1994 Genocide, in which over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.
