The Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an exile-based political outfit, started by Rwandan fugitives is facing power struggles which have led to divisionism. According to a statement released by Theogene Rudasingwa, who leads a breakaway faction, the decision to part ways with fellow fugitive Kayumba Nyamwasa was prompted by the latter’s desire for power. “Kayumba Nyamwasa has now crowned himself the Chairman of the Electoral Commission so that he can decide on the outcomes of the August 2016 elections which, among other things, are intended to expel those with dissenting views and install puppet subordinates over whom he has absolute control,” reads the statement. “With immediate effect we are parting ways with Kayumba Nyamwasa, his allies, and all members of the Bureau of the Executive Committee who have submitted to his will.” Power struggles within the RNC are not something new and the latest split is seen as a desperate move to revive an already weakening grouping. The group was scheduled to hold elections next month, but with the internal divisions coming to a boiling point, this is unlikely. The Rudasingwa led faction now calls its self the New Rwandan National Congress (New-RNC). In a bid to win over members, Rudasingwa promised to retain regional heads of RNC affiliates. “All Chairpersons in regions remain in office, but they have seven (07) days during which they have to decide on their affiliation with New-RNC,” the statement reads. Both RNC and FDLR militia operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had been linked to a spate of grenade attacks that rocked Kigali in 2014. A former top FDLR commander, Col. Amri Bizimana, told reporters shortly after defecting in 2010 that the fugitives had established strong links with the FDLR as they work to combine resources and strategies to destabilize the region. The RNC-FDLR links were also documented in a 2010 security report on the Great Lakes Region. The union between RNC and FDLR attempted to support Hutu and Tutsi balance, an ideology that was responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that left over one million people dead. The union also attempted to promote unaccountable amnesty to those who participated in the Genocide. Both Kayumba Nyamwasa and Theogene Rudasingwa were sentenced to 24 years in prison for multiple charges, including forming a terrorist group and threatening state security. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
