Rwanda’s president, the all-powerful Paul Kagame has reportedly arrested a mother and her two daughters because one of the daughters dared to challenge him by attempting to run against him in the presidential election.
Vinny Radak took to Twitter to share the news, writing: “Paul Kagame jails Mother and her daughters because the daughter wanted to run for presidency.”
Earlier last month, on September 4th precisely, Rwandan authorities arrested Diane Shima Rwigara, a leading critic of Rwanda’s president. Then, later in September, she was arrested again and charged with “offenses against state security and forgery” which is different from what she had been charged with when she was arrested earlier.
It is clear to everyone, however, that her real crime was her attempt to run against incumbent Paul Kagame in the presidential election last month, Washington Post reports.
Diane Rwigara’s mother and sister were also detained on similar charges. The three of them are expected to face trial in October. If Diane Rwigara is convicted on the state security charges, she’ll be facing a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Diane is a bold and intelligent woman and she most likely got it from her late father, Assinapol Rwigara. He was a wealthy and influential man who enjoyed considerable influence among the military, political and business elites. He, however, had tense relations with Kagame and was in a group that was said to be planning a revolt against Kagame with the aim of “overthrowing” his government.
He died in an accident in 2015 – an accident many Rwandans consider suspicious. The circumstances of the accident left many Rwandans doubting the official narrative. Rwigara’s family bravely petitioned Kagame to investigate the matter, but he refused. People believe Diane’s political ambitions are motivated by her desire to overcome the suffering her family has endured.
