Diane Rwigara, a prominent critic of Rwandan President Kagame, has been barred from participating in next month’s presidential election.
Only Mr. Kagame and two other candidates—Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana—were approved by the electoral commission.
Ms. Rwigara, who was also disqualified from the 2017 election, expressed her frustration on X (formerly Twitter), directly addressing President Kagame: “Why won’t you let me run? This is the second time you have cheated me out of my right to campaign.”
The 42-year-old leader of the People Salvation Movement (PSM) had previously told the BBC’s Newsday programme that she hoped to stand this time, representing “the vast majority of Rwandans who live in fear and are not allowed to be free in their own country.”
She criticized the perceived disparity between Rwanda’s economic growth and the realities on the ground, where many lack basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
However, the electoral commission cited her failure to provide correct documentation proving she had no criminal record and sufficient nationwide support as reasons for her disqualification.
Oda Gasinzigwa, the electoral commission chief, noted that she did not secure at least 12 signatures from eight districts, as required.
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Additionally, the commission questioned her Rwandan birthright, as she once held Belgian citizenship, which she renounced in 2017 before her previous candidacy attempt.
Ms. Rwigara, who maintains she was born in Rwanda, dismissed these reasons for her rejection. The National Electoral Commission received a total of nine applications to stand for president.
While it is still considering appeals, it is too late for the PSM leader to contest her exclusion.
In the 2017 election, Ms. Rwigara was barred due to allegations of forging supporters’ signatures and later imprisoned for over a year on charges of inciting insurrection and forgery, which she claims were politically motivated. She was acquitted in 2018.
In March, a Rwandan court blocked opposition figure Victoire Ingabire’s attempt to lift a ban on her running in the election. Ingabire, freed in 2018 after eight years in prison for threatening state security and “belittling” the 1994 genocide, is also barred due to Rwanda’s law preventing individuals jailed for more than six months from running in elections.
The two cleared candidates, Mr. Habineza and Mr. Mpayimana, also ran against Mr. Kagame in the 2017 election. President Kagame, running for a fourth term, could extend his presidency to nearly three decades if he wins.
He won the 2017 election with nearly 99% of the vote and has faced criticism from rights groups for cracking down on opposition, although he defends Rwanda’s human rights record and political freedoms.
