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Address by President of the Rwandan Government in Exile Following Rwanda elections, Thomas Nahimana
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1/1/2035
Thomas Nahimana, President of the Rwandan Government in Exile, addressing the nation on July 15, 2024, regarding the ongoing struggle for transparent and fair elections in Rwanda.
Counterfeit Elections and the Struggle for Transparent Governance
Today, in Paris, President Thomas Nahimana of the Rwandan Government in Exile delivered a critical address regarding the state of elections in Rwanda, highlighting the ongoing struggle for transparent and fair electoral processes.
Nahimana began by condemning the "counterfeit elections" that have plagued Rwanda, stating, "As we continue to endure these hard times, our country has been subjected to fraudulent elections in various ways."
Nahimana emphasized the collective agreement among the Rwandan Government in Exile, supporters, and transparent Rwandans that genuine elections are crucial.
He remarked, "Elections are a perfect way and a right given by the republic to its citizens, allowing them to choose leaders who aim for the common good without leading them back into tyranny."
Journey Back to Rwanda
Recounting the efforts of the exiled government, Nahimana mentioned the announcement made in September 2023 about their intention to return to Rwanda to participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for July 15, 2024. "We showed you all the team that was supposed to move to Rwanda. We went to three different countries—France, South Africa, and Malawi—to introduce the heroes ready for this journey," Nahimana stated.
Appeals for Electoral Reforms Ignored
Nahimana reminded the audience of the letter sent to François Kalinda, the President of the Rwandan Senate, highlighting the flaws and dark elements in the electoral clauses aimed at maintaining President Kagame's power.
"Not a single clause was corrected according to our appeal. The torture and mistreatment we faced is no longer bearable," Nahimana lamented.
Past Attempts Thwarted
Reflecting on previous attempts to participate in elections, Nahimana shared his personal experiences. "In 2016 and 2017, I tried to participate in presidential elections in Rwanda, but I was humiliated by Kagame's agents in Nairobi and Brussels, who denied me safe passage," he recounted. This, he said, was a deliberate effort to strip him of his rights to his homeland.
Current Election Denial
Nahimana revealed that he, along with 28 others ready to return for the elections, faced similar humiliation this time.
"We were denied all basic requirements for participation in elections," he said. "Even other nationals who tried to submit their presidential participation cards were humiliated and abused beyond humanity."
Condemnation of the Current Regime
Nahimana strongly condemned the current regime, describing the elections as a "comedy" where the ruling party, FPR Inkotanyi, rotates around the circle alone.
He declared, "What they called elections of July 15, 2024, were invalid and a complete scam. No thinking Rwandan should waste time giving value to the results."
Nahimana criticized the elected leaders, calling them "colonialists" working only to satisfy their own greed.
He issued a stark warning, "This is a friendly reminder—any time tomorrow or the day after, they will face charges for being accomplices in Kagame's genocidal regime."
Call for Unity and Resistance
Nahimana urged all Rwandans, both inside the country and in the diaspora, to unite against the regime. "We deny completely the tribalism that Kagame has made the regime's one-trick pony," he declared. "All Rwandans should give no space to the killers of Inkotanyi and work together with your government in exile to forge more ways to fight this band of bandits in power."
In his concluding remarks, Nahimana encouraged continued advocacy for democracy and support for Rwandans striving for transparent governance. "Real elections will come. Keep approaching and comforting citizens, speak up for them, advise them, and advocate for them. Help them to forge projects that will benefit them in the future after we regain control of our country."
Addressing journalists and politicians, Nahimana requested, "Let this new spirit of rejecting contempt from thugs be sensitized among the youth and the international community. Live free, secure, and hopeful for a future Rwanda. We shall overcome."
