In anticipation of legislative elections in August-September 2013, the Kigali regime has changed the law on political parties so that it may permanently seal off the political space.

It was believed that in Rwanda, institutions and draconian laws had reached the bottom and that it was unimaginable that the Rwandan regime could still seal off the political space. Well, no, the Rwandan dictatorship knows no bottom. Indeed, a new institution, the Rwanda Governance Board, created in 2011, and the new law on political parties recently adopted by the Senate Chamber, will be responsible for continuing to push the system into an abysmal hole.

With regard to the registration and the recognition of political parties, the responsibilities have been transferred to a nebula called Rwanda Governance Board mentioned above whose independence is highly questionable and dubious given the fact that its creation and performance contract depend on the discretion of the Government.

Lausanne, April 30, 2013.

Your Majesty King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima

It is our great pleasure to congratulate you as New King and Queen of the Netherlands, on behalf of the Rwandan opposition party FDU-Inkingi.

We have enjoyed many years of Queen Beatrix and have full confidence that we will also enjoy your kingship.

We could use this opportunity to foster cooperation with Rwanda, especially your knowledge about the administration and management of water and the support from Queen Maxima with respect to micro-credits. But before we get there, we desperately need your support in our fight to help us explain to the Rwandan government that peace, freedom of expression and fair trial for everyone, are vital for any democracy.

Once again, congratulations on your inauguration and your coronation for many years to come.

Yours sincerely,

FDU-Inkingi Coordinating Committee
Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana
Coordinator