PDR-Ihumure explained

Party of Democracy in Rwanda – Ihumure
Native Name:Parti Démocratique au Rwanda
Colorcode:
  1. FFEA00
Founder:Paul Rusesabagina
Foundation:2006
Ideology:Hutu interests
Country:Rwanda

The Party of Democracy in Rwanda – Ihumure (French: Parti Démocratique au Rwanda), often shortened to PDR-Ihumure, is a Rwandan opposition political party, which chiefly operates in exile in the United States and Europe.[1] It is a part of the MRCD (Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change, French: Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Démocratique) coalition of opposition parties. Along with PDR-Ihumure, the coalition includes CNRD-Ubwiyunge, RRM, and RDI-Rwanda Riza.[2] [3]

In 2006, the party was founded in the diaspora by activist Paul Rusesabagina, on whom the Hollywood blockbuster Hotel Rwanda is based.[4] [5] Rusesabagina is currently president of the party and the MRCD coalition, though he has been held in prison in Rwanda since being arrested in August 2020.[6]

PDR-Ihumure is seen as a primarily Hutu party by scholars.[7] It has been linked with Hutu Power groups, ex-FAR troops, and Rwandan Liberation Movements in Congo. The party was formed expressly to oppose the ruling RPF party, led by Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Military wing

The party also has a military wing, the FLN (National Liberation Front), which Rusesabagina himself has acknowledged as an "armed wing", which he claims was set up in order to assist Rwandan refugees.[8] Since being founded, however, the FLN has taken responsibility for terrorist attacks — including an attack on passenger buses in Nyungwe, Burundi which killed two people.[9] Rusesabagina has accepted a role in setting up its armed offshoot, but denied sponsoring violence, stating: "we formed the FLN as an armed wing, not as a terrorist group as the prosecution keeps saying. The aim was to draw the government to the attention of the plight of refugees. I do not deny that the FLN committed crimes but my role was diplomacy."[10]

Notes and References

  1. Martin. Michelle E.. 2013. Ethnonationalist Conflict-Generated Diaspora Use of Social Media in Transnational Political Engagement in Homeland Conflict: The Case of Rwanda. University of Bradford (DPhil Thesis). xiii. Bradford University. 8 January 2021. 20 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210920180632/https://bradscholars.brad.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10454/6417/Michelle%20Martin%20-%20Dissertation%20Department%20of%20Peace%20Studies%20-%20Post-Viva%20Final.pdf;sequence=3. live.
  2. Web site: Paul Rusesabagina admits backing rebels, denies violence. 8 January 2021. www.aljazeera.com. en. 28 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228222320/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/25/hotel-rwanda-hero-admits-forming-armed-group-behind-attacks. live.
  3. Web site: Mutanganshuro. Lavie. 4 December 2020. Rwanda: MRCD-FLN Substantive Trial Set for January 26. 8 January 2021. allAfrica.com. en.
  4. Web site: Paul Rusesabagina has the right to a fair trial. 8 January 2021. www.amnesty.org. en. 15 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915140603/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/rwanda-paul-rusesabagina-must-be-guaranteed-a-fair-trial/. live.
  5. News: Uwiringiyimana. Clement. 25 September 2020. 'Hotel Rwanda' inspiration tells court he did not direct attacks. en. Reuters. 8 January 2021.
  6. Web site: 31 August 2020. Heroic hotelier from 'Hotel Rwanda' arrested on terrorism charges. 8 January 2021. France 24. en.
  7. Jones. Will. 2 April 2016. Victoire in Kigali, or: why Rwandan elections are not won transnationally. Journal of Eastern African Studies. en. 10. 2. 343–365. 10.1080/17531055.2016.1187816. 148403633. 1753-1055. 8 January 2021. 19 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240719142432/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17531055.2016.1187816. live.
  8. Web site: Paul Rusesabagina admits backing rebels, denies violence. 8 January 2021. www.aljazeera.com. en. 28 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228222320/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/25/hotel-rwanda-hero-admits-forming-armed-group-behind-attacks. live.
  9. News: Uwiringiyimana. Clement. 23 May 2019. Rwanda rebel spokesman pleads guilty to terrorism offences. en. Reuters. 8 January 2021.
  10. Web site: 25 September 2020. Hotel Rwanda 'hero' admits forming armed group behind attacks. 8 January 2021. mint. en. 20 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020233557/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/hotel-rwanda-hero-admits-forming-armed-group-behind-attacks-11601042752429.html. live.

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