KIGALI, Rwanda, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A former speaker of the Rwandan Parliament has warned his country could again spiral into a dark world of violence.
The warning comes 15 years after genocide killed up to 1 million people in the long-troubled east-central African nation.
Joseph Sebarenzi, who lost most of his family in the rash of massacres, told CNN Wednesday frustration growing in Rwanda over President Paul Kagame's concentration of power could repeat the violent history if not checked.
Rwanda will hold a presidential election next August, its second since the 1994 genocide. Kagame is expected easily to win re-election.
He said the reason Rwanda had a genocide was that then-President Juvenal Habyarimana had too much power. Sebarenzi accused Kagame of now doing the same thing, amassing power while failing to create strong institutions that could check his authority.
"Instead of having a president that is too powerful, (Rwanda) should have a powerful parliament, judiciary, and a civil society," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment