A Kigali court on Tuesday dismissed Ntaganda’s appeal to overturn past convictions, disqualifying him from the race. The court cited unpaid legal fees from a previous case as the reason for rejection.
Ntaganda maintains he paid the fees and believes the court’s decision is politically motivated. Ntaganda is the second opposition figure blocked from participating. Victoire Ingabire, another prominent critic, faces similar disqualification due to a past conviction. Ntaganda, a lawyer and founder of the PS-Imberakuri party, attempted to run for president in 2010 but was imprisoned for threatening state security and inciting ethnic divisions. Released in 2014, he hoped to challenge Kagame’s dominance. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, credited with the country’s post-genocide development, has held power since 2000. He is widely expected to win another term.
Kagame has faced consistent criticism regarding freedom of expression and opposition repression. A 2015 constitutional amendment allows Kagame to potentially remain in power until 2034. This move has been met with controversy. With Ntaganda and Ingabire out of the race, Kagame faces minimal opposition in the July election. This raises concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the Rwandan political landscape.
APA/fss/abj/ with AFP