Former speaker was involved in “sectarian” affairs - Kagame

Vice-President Paul Kagame, commenting on Rwigema’s resignation and that of Speaker of Parliament Joseph Sebarenzi Kabuye who resigned in early January, said the resignation or dismissal of some leaders “should not surprise anybody but should be done in transparency”. Rwandan radio said he told a news conference there was “credible evidence” of Kabuye’s association with “the royalists” (who are alleged to be plotting to return ex-king Kigeli V to power.) This included the production and distribution of royalist cassettes that were “sectarian”, while “not, as such, seditious”, Kagame said. The sectarian nature of the tapes was “contrary to the politics of the National Union government for which he was working”, Kagame added. “Even without these facts, if people say we put you there, we are tired of you - as members of parliament had - then that person should go,” he said. “Life has to go on with or without Sebarenzi and the prime minister, and Kagame sometime.”