Rwandans from over 30 countries around the world have submitted their petitions to Rwandan Parliament requesting lawmakers to endorse their request for a referendum that would pave way for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Paul Kagame to stand in the next election.
They want lawmakers to call for a referendum to allow the amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution, which restricts a head of state to a maximum of two seven-year terms in office.
So far over four million Rwandans have petitioned the House on the same matter
On Tuesday 9th June 2015, representatives of the Diaspora community submitted a total number of 2500 petitions including 1300 printed letters and emails, all persuading parliament to endorse their request.
Norbert Haguma, the vice President of Rwanda Diaspora Global Network told reporters that Rwanda’s prosperity is the reason why they want President Kagame to stay Head of state so that he continues to lead Rwandans towards more achievements.
He said “In the past foreigners used to see all Rwandans in the picture of Genocidaires; today such stereotyping has changed, they see Rwandans as people who come from a country that has good leadership. In this regard we have seen that the one who has taken us to that level his job has not yet finished.”
Haguma added that the Diaspora request is also the request of all Rwandans.
Habinshuti Rashid who represented the Rwandan Diaspora of Belgium noted that what they have come to do is to exercise their right to Democracy where citizens’ wishes should be valued.
He said “We have come here to show the rest of the world that there is no hidden agenda on what is going on. What they call Democracy is the choice of people. We also are making our choice.”
Majoro Ivan who represented the Rwandan Diaspora community of Ethiopia and Djibouti said that after realizing what Rwanda has achieved, dignity and value that Rwandans have today, they decided to request that President Paul Kagame continues leading the country to another stage of development.
Speaker of the Rwandan parliament Donatille Mukabalisa said that it is the first time they receive petitions from the Diaspora.
She promised that their voices will be given the due value during parliament consultation on whether to hold a referendum on constitutional amendment.
More than 30 countries signed, including: Canada, France, Holland, USA, CAR, Suisse, Zimbabwe, Congo Brazza, Pologne’ Italy, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, Autriche, South Africa, Belgium, Sudan, India, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, UK, Ireland, DRC, China, South Korea, Japan among others.
angedelavictoire@igihe.com
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