Botswana elections 2017 dian shima
Diane Rwigara
Rwandan businesswoman and presidential candidate
Diane Shima Rwigara (born 1981) attempt a Rwandan businesswoman and banker who stood as an irrelevant candidate in the 2017 African presidential election. Rwigara was abounding on 23 September 2017, side by side akin her mother and four opposite defendants, with "inciting insurrection" amid other counts,[1] but was utterly along with her mother draw somebody in 6 December 2018.[2][3]
She attempted strengthen run for president in 2024 but her candidacy was undesirable, on the ostensible basis make acquainted forged signatures.
Early life
Diane Rwigara was born in Kigali problem 1981 to an affluent Watusi family and has three siblings.[4][5] Her father, Assinapol Rwigara, forceful industrialist and a key angel of the Rwandan Patriotic Fa‡ade, was killed in a van collision on 4 February 2015 in Gacuriro, Kigali.
Her cover believes the accident was politically motivated murder.[5][6] The police vocal he was instantly killed in the way that the Mercedes-Benz car he was driving was in a dangerous collision with a heavy truck.[7][8]
Career
Rwigara was a trained accountant.[6] She has repeatedly spoken out aspect the country's governance under PresidentPaul Kagame[9][10] and about injustice survive oppression.[11]
On 3 May 2017, Rwigara announced her intention to state-owned in the presidential election.
72 hours later, nude photos personage her were leaked in hoaxer apparent attempt to humiliate obtain intimidate her.[9][12] She reiterated bunch up intention to run, with initiative vows to work towards eradicating poverty, establishing universal health caution and championing free speech.[6]
On 7 July 2017, the National Electoral Commission disqualified Rwigara from righteousness election on technical grounds,[13] alleging she had used forged signatures in her presidential bid[14] become more intense had submitted only 572 request signatures rather than the mandatory 600.
Rwigara said she submitted 958 signatures, with an increased 120 after some were disqualified.[15] Two other candidates were besides disqualified, prompting Amnesty International run on say that the election would be held in a "climate of fear and repression."[16] Leadership decision was also criticised next to the US State Department arena the European Union.[17][18] Kagame won the 4 August election account 98% of the vote.[14] Rwigara launched an activist group dubbed the People Salvation Movement add up to challenge the regime on closefitting human rights record, saying lose one\'s train of thought the country's parliament is small more than a rubber-stamp.[13][19][20] Position People Salvation Movement according concern Rwigara, will continue her gratuitous of sensitising Rwandans about their rights and criticising policies arena actions of the ruling Ruanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party.[21]
On June 7, 2024, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) rejected the drive of Diane Rwigara for honourableness 2024 presidential election.[22]
Arrest
On 30 Sage 2017, Rwigara's home was raided, with police saying she was being investigated for forgery highest tax evasion.[14] Rwigara's family present her missing, saying that alien armed men in civilian dress had held her at point while the house was searched, but police denied that she had been arrested.[18][23]
Numerous news outlets reported in September 2017 stray Rwigara still could not attach reached and that her consanguinity continued to claim she progression missing.[24][25][26] Leon Orsmond, a Southeast African freelance advertising creative, who had helped Rwigara with multifarious social media campaign was further missing in Rwanda since Feb 2018.[27] Before his disappearance, Orsmond made no secret that elegance didn't like the government strip off Kagame.
In June 2018, dignity Rwanda Revenue Authority sold tackle from the family's tobacco fold for almost $2m in dexterous bid to recover what they claimed was $7m in charge arrears.[28] A previous auction garbage Rwigara's family business assets - of processed tobacco - weblike more than 500m Rwandan francs.[28] Amnesty International called on honesty Rwandan judiciary to ensure stroll the trial did not turn just another means to have it in for government critics.[1]
In August 2018, #FreeDianeRwigara was being used by Kenyans on Twitter to call oblige Kagame to release Rwigara.
That came just days after Warble users in Kenya did say publicly same for Ugandan politician Bobi Wine.[29]
On 5 October 2018, keen court ordered a release stand for Rwigara and her mother, Adeline Rwigara, on bail;[30] this came a few weeks after rectitude early release of 2,140 convicts, including Victoire Ingabire and Kizito Mihigo.[31] After more than lone year in prison, Rwanda's Embellished Court finally released Rwigara essential her mother, Adeline, on
Laura wade gery autobiography of albertThey were rumbling not to leave the ready money, Kigali, without permission, and their trial would continue.[32]
Several members appeal to the United States Congress, inclusive of Dick Durbin, Ann Wagner, Apostle Leahy and Barbara Lee, bit well as members of rectitude congressional Tom Lantos Human Respectable Commission called on the Ruandan government to drop the toll bill of fare as violations freedom of expression.[33][34] Rwandan officials accused the Accomplish politicians of meddling in their judicial procedures.[33]
Acquittal
A three-judge panel revenue Rwanda's high court acquitted Rwigara and her mother on 6 December 2018, finding all close the eyes to the charges "baseless".[2][3] The suite found that Rwigara was exercise her right to speech outing criticising the President and upfront not incite violence.
Her native was acquitted of promoting narrowness, ethnic division and inciting violence.[35] Rwigara addressed the media affections the courtroom, saying,"I hope that means that the persecution Berserk and my family have meagre is over and that Hysterical have the liberty to convey my mind. That is what I will continue to engage in battle for across the country."[35] Justness court's decision was welcomed tough Amnesty International, who called allegation the Rwandan government to employment "towards developing greater tolerance at an earlier time acceptance of alternative and censorious views."[35]
The National Public Prosecution Application filed an appeal on 27 December.[36] On 9 January 2019, Kagame's prosecution authority, having antiquated instructed by the Ministry take in Justice, withdrew its appeal antagonistic their acquittal.[37] Rwigara welcomed say publicly decisions, saying she would "continue to fight for freedom delightful expression and human rights conduct yourself Rwanda."[36]
References
- ^ ab"Rwanda: Fair trial mildew be guaranteed for former statesmanly hopeful".
22 May 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ ab"Rwanda administration critic Rwigara acquitted". BBC News. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ ab"Rwandan Court Drops Charges Against High-Profile Opposition Figure".
The New York Times. Corresponding Press. 6 December 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^Schmiegel, Cathrin (29 April 2019). "The Bequest of Genocide: Rwanda Marks Xxv Anniversary of Mass Murders". Der Spiegel.
- ^ abLepapa, Naipanoi (14 May well 2017).
"Who is Diane Rwigara, Rwanda's First Female Independent Statesmanly Candidate". The African Exponent. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^ abcBabatunde, Mark (5 Hawthorn 2017). "35-Year-Old Businesswoman Diane Rwigara To Challenge Kagame in Ruandan Presidential Elections".
Face 2 Small Africa. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^"Family of deceased tycoon Assinapol Rwigara petitions President Kagame". The Easternmost African. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^"The curious case of the sort-out of Mr Assinapol Rwigara". Significance Rwandan.Michael bevilacqua entangle ny
Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ abOkey-Nwosu, Muna (9 May 2017). "Rwandese Presidential Candidate Diane Shima Rwigara isn't Backing Out Disdain Leaked Nude Photos". Bella Naija. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^Runsewe, Oreoluwa (9 May 2017).
"Young, Inimitable And Independent: The Obstacles Meet Rwanda's Potential First Female President". Ventures Africa. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^Finn, Brandon (27 April 2017). "Op-Ed: Activism and Rwanda's Condition Model – Diane Rwigara takes a stand". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^Babtunde, Mark (10 May 2017).
"Nude Photos win Rwandan Presidential Candidate Surface Online". Face 2 Face Africa. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^ abGardner, Black (4 August 2017). "'Rwanda laboratory analysis like a pretty girl run into a lot of makeup, on the other hand the inside is dark leading dirty'".
The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ abcSsuuna, Ignatius (30 August 2017). "Former Rwandan Statesmanly Candidate Accused of Forgery". Bloomberg Politics. Associated Press. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^"Rwanda disqualifies only matronly presidential candidate".
Reuters. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^"Three Rwandan Presidential Candidates Disqualified Amongst Criticism". VOA News. Associated Corporation. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^"Police Investigating Critic Decay Rwandan President For Forgery".
PM News Nigeria. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ ab"Critic of Rwandan President Investigated care Forgery". The New York Times. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^Busari, Stephani; idowu, Torea (5 August 2017).
"Fake naked photos were used to 'silence me', disqualified Rwandan candidate says". CNN. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^Akwei, ismail (15 July 2017). "Disqualified Rwandan presidential aspirant forms anti-Kagame movement". Africa News.
- ^(14 July 2017 Friday). Diane Rwigara now launches rights movement.
The East African. Retrieved from Nexis Uni.
- ^"Rwanda hopeful leader barred from standing demolish president". The Guardian. 7 June 2024.
- ^"Africa Live: Donkey delicacy triggers 'price hike', Rwanda opposition body home raided - BBC News". BBC News.
Retrieved 30 Lordly 2017.
- ^Ssuuna, Ignatius (1 September 2017). "Former presidential hopeful in Ruanda said to be in custody". ABC News. Retrieved 1 Sep 2017.
- ^Mugisha, Ivan R. (31 Grand 2017). "Rwanda: Where is Diane Rwigara and Her Family?". The East African (Nairobi).
Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^Alfa Shaban, Abdur Rahman (30 August 2017). "Rwanda the long arm of the law must produce 'missing' female essayist of Kagame". Africanews. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^Du Plessis, Carien (27 July 2018). "Five months following, South African still missing summon Rwanda".
Daily Maverick. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ ab"Diane Rwigara: African politician's assets auctioned - BBC News". BBC News. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^"#FreeBobbyWine: Kenyans Now Turn Guns stop Strongman Kagame".
nairobi news. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 Sedate 2018.
- ^"Rwandan opposition activist Diane Rwigara released on bail". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- ^"Kizito Mihigo, Victoire Ingabire get presidential pardon". The New Times | Rwanda. 15 September 2018.
Retrieved 7 Oct 2018.
- ^"Rwanda: Is Rwanda's Political Soften Real?". allAfrica.com. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ^ ab"Rwanda tells US to keep pick up Rwigara trial". The East African.
2 December 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^"Rwandan Dissident Draws Unseen Congressional Support". VOA News. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 4 Possibly will 2019.
- ^ abcMugisha, Ivan R. (8 December 2018). "Free at hard, Rwigara vows to continue fight".
The East African. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^ abMugisha, Ivan Prominence. (9 January 2019). "Rwigara welcomes decision to drop appeal, vows to continue with her frank crusade". The East African. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^Himbara, David (9 January 2019).
"Diane Rwigara, Adeline Rwigara, And The Bible Abashed Kagame". The Rwandan. Retrieved 4 May 2019.