PRESS RELEASE
The RNC Political Bureau warns the totalitarian regime in Kigali
against leading the country toward a new tragedy.
____________________________________________________________________
On July 6, 2025, the Political Bureau of the Rwandan National Congress
(RNC) met and reviewed the current political and security situation in
Rwanda. It expressed serious concerns about signs of a tragedy similar
to the one that bereaved Rwanda in 1994. The Political Bureau noted the
following extremely worrying elements:
1. The proliferation of hateful and degrading speeches against
members of the Hutu ethnic group in Rwanda has reached
alarming proportions that have even led to public calls on social
media for genocide against members of this ethnic group.
2. This is accompanied by total inaction and complacency of the
Rwandan authorities towards those who make these hateful
remarks and call for genocide. Whether it is the Rwandan
Investigation Bureau (RIB), the various levels of government or
the two chambers of parliament, no Rwandan state body has
taken a position against these hateful speeches or their authors.
3. The promotion to the Rwandan public, by the Ministry of the
Interior, of the acquisition of firearms in a society which
experienced the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994 as well as crimes
against humanity perpetrated against the Hutu, and which is still
far from being reconciled constitutes further evidence of a tragedy
in the making.
4. The repression of peaceful opposition and the closure of the entire
political ******* e, including the new arbitrary arrest of Mrs. Victoire
Ingabire Umuhoza and the incarceration of members of her
political party Dalfa-Umurinzi on the grounds that they had read
a user manual for a peaceful succession to power is an eloquent
illustration of the cruel nature of the Kigali regime.
2
5. The constant threat of using extrajudicial means against a section
of the Rwandan population adds to this criminal policy. One of the
most recent threats was made by President Paul Kagame in his
speech on December 12, 2024, during the swearing-in of the
President and Vice-President of the Supreme Court.
The RNC Political Bureau recalls that hateful and degrading speech paved
the way for the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994. Indeed, as the Office of
the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
indicates, "in its most extreme forms, hate speech can incite violence
and lead to the most serious crimes under international law, including
genocide. […] It fosters an environment that discriminates against,
dehumanizes, and marginalizes those who are different or perceived to
be different. It fuels hatred and violates human dignity."
The RNC Political Bureau considers that the above-mentioned factors
have created conditions in Rwanda that could lead to very serious
violence, even crimes of genocide, against members of the Hutu ethnic
group.
The RNC Political Bureau reminds the Kigali regime that it has a duty to
protect the entire Rwandan population without distinction and that,
should mass crimes be committed, it must bear full responsibility.
The RNC Political Bureau urgently appeals to the international
community, particularly to the Office of the United Nations Special
Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and members of the United
Nations Security Council, to intervene and prevent a repetition of the
horrific crimes of 1994.
Montreal, July 12, 2025
Dr. Emmanuel Hakizimana
RNC Coordinator
The RNC Political Bureau warns the totalitarian regime in Kigali
against leading the country toward a new tragedy.
____________________________________________________________________
On July 6, 2025, the Political Bureau of the Rwandan National Congress
(RNC) met and reviewed the current political and security situation in
Rwanda. It expressed serious concerns about signs of a tragedy similar
to the one that bereaved Rwanda in 1994. The Political Bureau noted the
following extremely worrying elements:
1. The proliferation of hateful and degrading speeches against
members of the Hutu ethnic group in Rwanda has reached
alarming proportions that have even led to public calls on social
media for genocide against members of this ethnic group.
2. This is accompanied by total inaction and complacency of the
Rwandan authorities towards those who make these hateful
remarks and call for genocide. Whether it is the Rwandan
Investigation Bureau (RIB), the various levels of government or
the two chambers of parliament, no Rwandan state body has
taken a position against these hateful speeches or their authors.
3. The promotion to the Rwandan public, by the Ministry of the
Interior, of the acquisition of firearms in a society which
experienced the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994 as well as crimes
against humanity perpetrated against the Hutu, and which is still
far from being reconciled constitutes further evidence of a tragedy
in the making.
4. The repression of peaceful opposition and the closure of the entire
political ******* e, including the new arbitrary arrest of Mrs. Victoire
Ingabire Umuhoza and the incarceration of members of her
political party Dalfa-Umurinzi on the grounds that they had read
a user manual for a peaceful succession to power is an eloquent
illustration of the cruel nature of the Kigali regime.
2
5. The constant threat of using extrajudicial means against a section
of the Rwandan population adds to this criminal policy. One of the
most recent threats was made by President Paul Kagame in his
speech on December 12, 2024, during the swearing-in of the
President and Vice-President of the Supreme Court.
The RNC Political Bureau recalls that hateful and degrading speech paved
the way for the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994. Indeed, as the Office of
the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
indicates, "in its most extreme forms, hate speech can incite violence
and lead to the most serious crimes under international law, including
genocide. […] It fosters an environment that discriminates against,
dehumanizes, and marginalizes those who are different or perceived to
be different. It fuels hatred and violates human dignity."
The RNC Political Bureau considers that the above-mentioned factors
have created conditions in Rwanda that could lead to very serious
violence, even crimes of genocide, against members of the Hutu ethnic
group.
The RNC Political Bureau reminds the Kigali regime that it has a duty to
protect the entire Rwandan population without distinction and that,
should mass crimes be committed, it must bear full responsibility.
The RNC Political Bureau urgently appeals to the international
community, particularly to the Office of the United Nations Special
Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and members of the United
Nations Security Council, to intervene and prevent a repetition of the
horrific crimes of 1994.
Montreal, July 12, 2025
Dr. Emmanuel Hakizimana
RNC Coordinator
