PDR-Ihumure

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]

Party of Democracy in Rwanda – Ihumure
Parti Démocratique au Rwanda
FounderPaul Rusesabagina
Founded2006
IdeologyHutu interests
Website
mrcd-ubumwe.org

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.[1][7] It has been linked with Hutu Power groups, ex-FAR troops, and Rwandan Liberation Movements in Congo.[1] 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.[8][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][8]

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 – via Bradford University.
  2. "Paul Rusesabagina admits backing rebels, denies violence". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  3. Mutanganshuro, Lavie (4 December 2020). "Rwanda: MRCD-FLN Substantive Trial Set for January 26". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  4. "Paul Rusesabagina has the right to a fair trial". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  5. Uwiringiyimana, Clement (25 September 2020). "'Hotel Rwanda' inspiration tells court he did not direct attacks". Reuters. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  6. "Heroic hotelier from 'Hotel Rwanda' arrested on terrorism charges". France 24. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  7. Jones, Will (2 April 2016). "Victoire in Kigali, or: why Rwandan elections are not won transnationally". Journal of Eastern African Studies. 10 (2): 343–365. doi:10.1080/17531055.2016.1187816. ISSN 1753-1055. S2CID 148403633.
  8. "Paul Rusesabagina admits backing rebels, denies violence". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  9. Uwiringiyimana, Clement (23 May 2019). "Rwanda rebel spokesman pleads guilty to terrorism offences". Reuters. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  10. "Hotel Rwanda 'hero' admits forming armed group behind attacks". mint. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
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