Diane Rwigara
{{Short description|Rwandan businesswoman and presidential candidate}}
Diane Shima Rwigara (born 1981) is a Rwandan businesswoman and accountant who stood as an independent candidate in the 2017 Rwandan presidential election. Rwigara was charged on 23 September 2017, alongside her mother and four other defendants, with "inciting insurrection" among other counts,{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/rwanda-fair-trial-must-be-guaranteed-for-former-presidential-hopeful/|title=Rwanda: Fair trial must be guaranteed for former presidential hopeful | date=22 May 2018|access-date=25 August 2018}} but was acquitted along with her mother on 6 December 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46471808|title=Rwanda government critic Rwigara acquitted|date=2018-12-06|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-12-08|language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/world/africa/rwanda-court-diane-rwigara.html|title=Rwandan Court Drops Charges Against High-Profile Opposition Figure|date=2018-12-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-12-08|agency=Associated Press|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
She attempted to run for president in 2024 but her candidacy was rejected, on the ostensible basis of forged signatures.
Early life
Diane Rwigara was born in Kigali in 1981 to an affluent Tutsi family and has three siblings.{{cite web |last1=Schmiegel |first1=Cathrin |title=The Legacy of Genocide: Rwanda Marks 25th Anniversary of Mass Murders |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-legacy-of-genocide-rwanda-marks-25th-anniversary-of-mass-murders-a-1263131.html |website=Der Spiegel |language=en |date=29 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.africanexponent.com/post/8365-we-are-in-the-thick-of-revolution-in-africa|title=Who is Diane Rwigara, Rwanda's First Female Independent Presidential Candidate|last=Lepapa|first=Naipanoi|date=14 May 2017|work=The African Exponent|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008133222/https://www.africanexponent.com/post/8365-we-are-in-the-thick-of-revolution-in-africa|url-status=dead}} Her father, Assinapol Rwigara, an industrialist and a key financier of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, was killed in a car collision on 4 February 2015 in Gacuriro, Kigali. Her family believes the accident was politically motivated murder. The police said he was instantly killed when the Mercedes-Benz car he was driving was in a head-on collision with a heavy truck.{{cite web|title=Family of deceased tycoon Assinapol Rwigara petitions President Kagame|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/rwanda/News/Family-of-deceased-tycoon-Rwigara-petitions-President-Kagame/1433218-2653598-myixcwz/index.html|publisher=The East African|access-date=4 March 2015}}{{cite web|title=The curious case of the death of Mr Assinapol Rwigara|url=http://www.therwandan.com/the-curious-case-of-the-death-of-mr-assinapol-rwigara-rip/|publisher=The Rwandan|access-date=5 October 2018}}
Career
Rwigara was a trained accountant.{{cite web|url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/diane-rwigara|title=35-Year-Old Businesswoman Diane Rwigara To Challenge Kagame in Rwandan Presidential Elections|first=Mark|last=Babatunde|date=5 May 2017|access-date=2 June 2017|work=Face 2 Face Africa}} She has repeatedly spoken out against the country's governance under President Paul Kagame{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/05/rwandese-presidential-candidate-diane-shima-rwigara-isnt-backing-despite-leaked-nude-photos/|title=Rwandese Presidential Candidate Diane Shima Rwigara isn't Backing Out Despite Leaked Nude Photos|date=9 May 2017|access-date=2 June 2017|first=Muna|last=Okey-Nwosu|work=Bella Naija}}{{cite web|url=http://venturesafrica.com/young-single-and-independent-the-obstacles-facing-rwandas-potential-first-female-president/|title=Young, Single And Independent: The Obstacles Facing Rwanda's Potential First Female President|work=Ventures Africa|first=Oreoluwa|last=Runsewe|date=9 May 2017|access-date=2 June 2017}} and about injustice and oppression.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-04-27-op-ed-activism-and-rwandas-development-model-diane-rwigara-takes-a-stand/#.WTDjcMbL2NY|title=Op-Ed: Activism and Rwanda's Development Model – Diane Rwigara takes a stand|first=Brandon|last=Finn|work=Daily Maverick|date=27 April 2017|access-date=2 June 2017}}
On 3 May 2017, Rwigara announced her intention to run in the presidential election. 72 hours later, nude photos of her were leaked in an apparent attempt to humiliate and intimidate her.{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Babtunde|url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/diane-rwigara-photos|work=Face 2 Face Africa|title=Nude Photos of Rwandan Presidential Candidate Surface Online|date=10 May 2017|access-date=2 June 2017}} She reiterated her intention to run, with campaign vows to work towards eradicating poverty, establishing universal health insurance and championing free speech.
On 7 July 2017, the National Electoral Commission disqualified Rwigara from the election on technical grounds,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/04/rwanda-pretty-girl-makeup-inside-dark-and-dirty-diane-rwigara-paul-kagame-election|title='Rwanda is like a pretty girl with a lot of makeup, but the inside is dark and dirty'|work=The Guardian|date=4 August 2017|first=Tom|last=Gardner|access-date=30 August 2017}} alleging she had used forged signatures in her presidential bid{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-30/former-rwanda-presidential-candidate-accused-of-forgery|title=Former Rwandan Presidential Candidate Accused of Forgery|work=Bloomberg Politics|publisher=Associated Press|last=Ssuuna|first=Ignatius|date=30 August 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}} and had submitted only 572 valid signatures rather than the required 600. Rwigara said she submitted 958 signatures, with an additional 120 after some were disqualified.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rwanda-election-idUSKBN19S2L6|title=Rwanda disqualifies only female presidential candidate|work=Reuters|date=8 July 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}} Two other candidates were also disqualified, prompting Amnesty International to say that the election would be held in a "climate of fear and repression."{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/three-rwandan-presidential-candidates-disqualified/3933118.html|title=Three Rwandan Presidential Candidates Disqualified Amid Criticism|work=VOA News|publisher=Associated Press|date=7 July 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}} The decision was also criticised by the US State Department and the European Union.{{cite web|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/08/30/police-investigating-critic-rwandan-president-forgery/|title=Police Investigating Critic Of Rwandan President For Forgery|work=PM News Nigeria|date=30 August 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/30/world/africa/30reuters-rwanda-opposition.html|title=Critic of Rwandan President Investigated for Forgery|work=The New York Times|date=30 August 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}} Kagame won the 4 August election with 98% of the vote. Rwigara launched an activist group called the People Salvation Movement to challenge the regime on its human rights record, saying that the country's parliament is little more than a rubber-stamp.{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/04/africa/rwanda-election-nude-photos-candidate/index.html|title=Fake nude photos were used to 'silence me', disqualified Rwandan candidate says|publisher=CNN|first1=Stephani|last1=Busari|first2=Torea|last2=idowu|date=5 August 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/15/disqualified-rwandan-aspirant-forms-anti-kagame-movement//|title=Disqualified Rwandan presidential aspirant forms anti-Kagame movement|work=Africa News|date=15 July 2017|first=ismail|last=Akwei}} The People Salvation Movement according to Rwigara, will continue her work of sensitising Rwandans about their rights and criticising policies and actions of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party.(14 July 2017 Friday). Diane Rwigara now launches rights movement. The East African. Retrieved from Nexis Uni.
On June 7, 2024, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) rejected the candidacy of Diane Rwigara for the 2024 presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/07/rwanda-opposition-leader-diane-rwigara-barred-from-standing-against-president|title=Rwanda opposition leader barred from standing against president|work=The Guardian|date=7 June 2024}}
=Arrest=
On 30 August 2017, Rwigara's home was raided, with police saying she was being investigated for forgery and tax evasion. Rwigara's family reported her missing, saying that unknown armed men in civilian clothes had held her at gunpoint while the house was searched, but police denied that she had been arrested.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-40829088|title=Africa Live: Donkey delicacy triggers 'price hike', Rwanda opposition figure home raided - BBC News|work=BBC News|access-date=30 August 2017|language=en-GB}}
Numerous news outlets reported in September 2017 that Rwigara still could not be reached and that her family continued to claim she is missing.{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/presidential-hopeful-rwanda-custody-49558126|title=Former presidential hopeful in Rwanda said to be in custody|last=Ssuuna|first=Ignatius|work=ABC News|access-date=1 September 2017|language=en|date=1 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201708310629.html|title=Rwanda: Where is Diane Rwigara and Her Family?|last=Mugisha|first=Ivan R.|date=31 August 2017|work=The East African (Nairobi)|access-date=1 September 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.africanews.com/2017/08/31/rwanda-police-must-produce-missing-female-critic-of-kagame/|title=Rwanda police must produce 'missing' female critic of Kagame|date=30 August 2017|website=Africanews|access-date=1 September 2017|first=Abdur Rahman|last=Alfa Shaban}} Leon Orsmond, a South African freelance advertising creative, who had helped Rwigara with her social media campaign was also missing in Rwanda since February 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-27-five-months-later-south-african-still-missing-in-rwanda/|title=Five months later, South African still missing in Rwanda|date=27 July 2018|website=Daily Maverick|access-date=25 August 2018|first=Carien|last=Du Plessis}} Before his disappearance, Orsmond made no secret that he didn't like the government of Kagame.
In June 2018, the Rwanda Revenue Authority sold machinery from the family's tobacco business for almost $2m in a bid to recover what they claimed was $7m in tax arrears.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44521197|title=Diane Rwigara: Rwandan politician's assets auctioned - BBC News |work=BBC News | date=18 June 2018|access-date=25 August 2018}} A previous auction of Rwigara's family business assets - of processed tobacco - netted more than 500m Rwandan francs. Amnesty International called on the Rwandan judiciary to ensure that the trial did not become just another means to persecute government critics.
In August 2018, #FreeDianeRwigara was being used by Kenyans on Twitter to call for Kagame to release Rwigara. This came just days after Twitter users in Kenya did the same for Ugandan politician Bobi Wine.{{Cite web|url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/freebobbywine-kenyans-now-turn-guns-strongman-kagame/|title=#FreeBobbyWine: Kenyans Now Turn Guns on Strongman Kagame|date=24 August 2018|website=nairobi news|access-date=25 August 2018}}
On 5 October 2018, a court ordered a release of Rwigara and her mother, Adeline Rwigara, on bail;{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/rwanda-opposition-activist-diane-rwigara-released-bail-181005174901472.html|title=Rwandan opposition activist Diane Rwigara released on bail|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-10-07}} this came a few weeks after the early release of 2,140 convicts, including Victoire Ingabire and Kizito Mihigo.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/kizito-mihigo-victoire-ingabire-get-presidential-pardon|title=Kizito Mihigo, Victoire Ingabire get presidential pardon|date=2018-09-15|work=The New Times {{!}} Rwanda|access-date=2018-10-07|language=en}} After more than one year in prison, Rwanda's High Court finally released Rwigara and her mother, Adeline, on bail. They were told not to leave the capital, Kigali, without permission, and their trial would continue.{{Cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201810160537.html|title=Rwanda: Is Rwanda's Political Thaw Real?|date=10 October 2018|website=allAfrica.com|access-date=26 October 2018}}
Several members of the United States Congress, including Dick Durbin, Ann Wagner, Patrick Leahy and Barbara Lee, as well as members of the congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission called on the Rwandan government to drop the charges as violations freedom of expression.{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Rwanda-tells-US-to-keep-off-Rwigara-trial/4552908-4877302-1877y9z/index.html|work=The East African|title=Rwanda tells US to keep off Rwigara trial|date=2 December 2018|access-date=4 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/rwandan-dissident-draws-us-congressional-support/4678705.html|title=Rwandan Dissident Draws US Congressional Support|work=VOA News|date=28 November 2018|access-date=4 May 2019}} Rwandan officials accused the US politicians of meddling in their judicial procedures.
=Acquittal=
A three-judge panel of Rwanda's high court acquitted Rwigara and her mother on 6 December 2018, finding all of the charges "baseless". The court found that Rwigara was exercising her right to speech in criticising the President and did not incite violence. Her mother was acquitted of promoting sectarianism, ethnic division and inciting violence.{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Free-at-last-Rwigara-vows-to-continue-fight/4552908-4886668-cwybgo/index.html|title=Free at last, Rwigara vows to continue fight|date=8 December 2018|access-date=4 May 2019|work=The East African|first=Ivan R.|last=Mugisha}} Rwigara addressed the media inside the courtroom, saying,"I hope this means that the persecution I and my family have faced is over and that I have the liberty to speak my mind. That is what I will continue to fight for across the country." The court's decision was welcomed by Amnesty International, who called on the Rwandan government to work "towards developing greater tolerance and acceptance of alternative and critical views."
The National Public Prosecution Appeal filed an appeal on 27 December.{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Rwigara-welcomes-decision-to-drop-appeal/4552908-4927390-v8tuu3z/index.html|work=The East African|title=Rwigara welcomes decision to drop appeal, vows to continue with her rights crusade|date=9 January 2019|access-date=4 May 2019|first=Ivan R.|last=Mugisha}} On 9 January 2019, Kagame's prosecution authority, having been instructed by the Ministry of Justice, withdrew its appeal against their acquittal.{{cite web|url=http://www.therwandan.com/diane-rwigara-adeline-rwigara-and-the-bible-humbled-kagame/|work=The Rwandan|title=Diane Rwigara, Adeline Rwigara, And The Bible Humbled Kagame|date=9 January 2019|access-date=4 May 2019|first=David|last=Himbara}} Rwigara welcomed the decisions, saying she would "continue to fight for freedom of expression and human rights in Rwanda."
References
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Category:Rwandan women activists
Category:Rwandan women's rights activists
Category:21st-century Rwandan businesspeople
Category:21st-century Rwandan women politicians
Category:21st-century Rwandan politicians
Category:Rwandan women accountants