Parliament upholds ban on Bizimungu’s party

Rwandan parliament on Wednesday supported the government’s decision to ban the former president, Pasteur Bizimungu’s, Party for Democracy and Renewal (PDR), Rwandan radio said. Following an explanation of policies governing the formation of parties, by the country’s minister for local government, Desire Nyandwi, the legislators called upon the government to “punish all those who broke such laws”. Nyandwi said forming political parties should be in line with the legality of the existing forum of political parties. He noted that Bizimungu’s party had intentions of promoting divisions within the Rwandese population and denied that genocide did not take place in Rwanda. He said the government would not allow such political parties to operate and added that no party should be formed in the transitional government.