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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Former Rwandan Presidential Hopeful Flees Country |
| 2017-11-15 |
| [All Africa] A former Rwanda presidential hopeful has fled the country fearing possible jail term over 'falsified signatures' during his election bid. Gilbert Mwenedata, one of the two independent candidates disqualified from running in the August 4 poll, said he has been questioned by the police on several occasions over signatures he had submitted to the electoral commission. In an interview with Radio Itahuka, a web-based station run by exiled Rwandan opposition groups, Mr Mwenedata said he fled the country for fear of arrest and being charged in court like the other disqualified presidential candidate Diane Shima Rwigara. "What is becoming apparent is that whenever you try to challenge the authority of the incumbent, you end up in jail," Mr Mwenedata is quoted saying. He added that those who dare to take on President Paul Kagame only find themselves on the wrong side of the law. "Other than the candidates approved by the ruling party, independent candidates like me and Diane cannot be allowed to contest. If you insist on exercising your democratic right, the consequences can be jail," he said, citing Victoire Ingabire, who is serving a 15-year jail term, and now Ms Rwigara. |
| Posted by:Fred |