New party in exile formed

The former speaker of Rwanda’s parliament, Joseph Kabuye Sebarenzi who fled the country last year, is among a group of Rwandans who have formed a new party in exile. The new party, known as the Alliance rwandaise pour la renaissance de la nation (ARENA), was established “in response to the failure of the RPF [Rwandan Patriotic Front] government to promote national reconciliation and to solve the problems of poverty, violence, corruption, exclusion and violation of human rights which are characteristic of the RPF regime”, an ARENA press release said.

“The objective of ARENA is to construct a nation state based on values of integrity, justice and equality.” The press release said ARENA advocated for a head of state - president or monarch depending on a referendum - who would not concern himself with the daily management of government business. “A truth, justice and reconciliation commission will be created to investigate the Tutsi genocide and crimes committed by the RPF,” the press release added. In an interview with the BBC, Sebarenzi said his party would be working with people within Rwanda “to put in place a better government”.

He fled to the US in March last year, after first leaving Rwanda for Uganda. Sebarenzi, who is influential among genocide survivors’ groups, was forced to resign as parliamentary speaker on 7 January 2000 amid accusations of mismanagement and political infighting.