The real story is that: The Election Commission – erection commission, as Kagame calls it – claims that Diane forged signatures. On the basis of this, the Commission disqualified her.
This raises serious legal issues for Kagame junta:
( a) the commission saw what they suspected to be forged signatures, they prosecuted the case and convicted Diane Rwigara for acts that constitute a crime under Rwanda’s Penal Code.
(b) whereas the constitution of Rwanda requires that anybody accused of a crime is entitled to appear in a competent court and defend him/herself, the Commission: ( i) ” investigated” the case, (ii) accused Diana of a crime, ( iii) prosecuted her for the same, ( iv) convicted her and ( v) sentenced her. Crazy!
(c) The election or – for Kagame – erection commission assumed powers beyond its constitutional mandate.
If Kagame had serious lawyers, they would have looked for any other pretext to stop her, not citing acts that constitute a crime under the laws of Rwanda. The route they took is stupid, meant for illiterates’ consumption.
Which court of law made the determination that the signatures are forgery? Under which law did Kagame’s “erection” commission make that determination?
By Prof. Charles Kambanda