Kigali, Rwanda – Opposition politician Frank Ntwali has strongly condemned the UK’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, citing the country’s unsafe conditions. As chair of the exiled Rwanda National Congress (RNC) movement, Ntwali expressed his disbelief over the persistence of Rishi Sunak, calling the policy “quite bizarre.”
The prime minister’s urgency for the House of Lords to pass the Rwanda deportation bill has raised concerns, as the policy is crucial to the Conservative party’s fightback in the polls against Labour. Ntwali’s condemnation comes from personal experience, having survived an assassination attempt in 2012 near Johannesburg’s OR Tambo international airport.
The RNC movement, founded by former members of Rwanda’s ruling party, has been labeled a terrorist group by President Paul Kagame. Ntwali’s criticisms extend to the potential repercussions of the UK’s deportation plan, holding the British government accountable for the fate of any asylum seekers deported to Rwanda.
Ntwali’s history as a government-sponsored law student who later became a vocal critic of Rwanda’s government sheds light on his perspective. He was forced to leave the country after being labeled an “enemy of the state” by Kagame’s government. This personal experience fuels Ntwali’s strong opposition to the deportation plan.
The harsh realities faced by Rwandan dissidents living in the UK, including police warnings of assassination attempts by the Rwandan government, further support Ntwali’s concerns. Advocates and political opponents living in the UK under close protection have expressed disbelief in Sunak’s claims of Rwanda being safe.
The article also highlights Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza’s firsthand account of the dangers faced by those who express opinions contrary to the Rwandan government. The repression of dissenting voices, activists, and independent journalists has resulted in mysterious killings, disappearances, and arrests.
In conclusion, Ntwali’s condemnation of the UK’s deportation plan sheds light on the unsafe conditions in Rwanda and the potential risks faced by asylum seekers. The opposition politician’s personal experience and the accounts of other Rwandan dissidents reinforce the urgency of reevaluating the deportation policy.