Opposition Green Party can challenge 3rd term campaign, says Kagame

Frank Habineza (suit) President of the Democratic Green Party with Party members outside Rwanda's Parliament

President Paul Kagame has said it is a ‘good thing' for the opposition Green Party to file a law suit against a request by Rwandans pushing parliament to amend article 101 of the constitution to allow him to run for third term.

In his tweet today at 1:35 am local time, Kagame said "They are exercising their right…the Green Party, good thing."

Yesterday, the Democratic Green Party, an opposition party in the country filed a lawsuit to Supreme Court, demanding the court to block parliament from lifting presidential term limits to allow Kagame to run for another term.

President Kagame's term of office ends in 2017. However, more than four million Rwandans have flocked parliament with signed petitions pushing for the constitutional amendment to keep Kagame in office.

Despite pressure from Rwandans on Kagame to stay, the President has remained categorical on the matter.

Speaking to journalists during a monthly press briefing at his office in April this year, Kagame said that he has never lost sleep over the matter.

"I want to do my business for which the Rwandans entrusted me to do and when am done I will be done…I can continue to serve my country in very different ways," he said.

Rwandans say Kagame has given them peace, security and prosperity and thus should stay.

The speaker of parliament, Donathile Mukabarisa, told journalists that parliament is set to launch a debate between June 5 and August 4, where lawmakers will debate on the amendment as demanded by the petitioners.

Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic is elected for a term of seven years renewable only once."

Last week, Democratic Green Party President Frank Habineza was hosted on the state television and expressed his Party's side on the matter.

In a communiqué he issued after filing suit at Supreme Court yesterday, Habineza said that, "The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda demands the Supreme Court to order the Rwandan Parliament not to change Article 101 of the Constitution; to confirm that no referendum is required for those wishing to remove term limits from the Constitution,"

Source: KT Press

mchambawima1 said:

President Paul Kagame has said it is a ‘good thing' for the opposition Green Party to file a law suit against a request by Rwandans pushing parliament to amend article 101 of the constitution to allow him to run for third term.

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At least now Kagame shows that he is a bit democratic but to me I think Kagame has done two mistakes

1) In those years in power he was supposed to have prepared many Kagames to take his position.If he has`nt done that he is selfish.The country could go into chaos if he leaves the office.That is unfair to Rwandese to have only one competent Kagame!!!! Rwanda to be a one man show country is not proper!

2) Kagame listens too much to people on issue of whether he should continue or not. Logic sometimes demands that you shoul listen to youreslf sometimes.Does he himself think that it is wise to change the constutition so that he continues? If he listens to himself does he think it right or is it just a greed that drives him?

Nyerere was highly loved and everybody wanted him to continue but he listened to himself and said no there are others who can take the office.People cried but Tanzania is there today despite his absence.I advice Kagame to listen to himself instead of listening people all the time on this issue of changing constitution and speak something.

Hao ni watu wake, ili aionyeshe dunia rwanda kuna demokrasia

Ukiangalia ushauri aliowapa unajua kabisa anawapotosha.Eti anasema wawafungulie mashitaka wananchi wa kawaida wanaotaka kulishinikiza bunge libadili katiba!!!!! Mashtaka gani hayo yamekaa hovyo kisheria kama hayo
hebu ona raisi anavyoshauri.

"president Paul Kagame has said it is a 'good thing' for the opposition Green Party to file a law suit against a request by Rwandans pushing parliament to amend article 101 of the constitution to allow him to run for third term.

Kesi kama ikifunguliwa kama Kagame alivyoshauri itatupiliwa mbali.Mwananchi wa kawaida hawezi badili katiba anayetakiwa kuburuzwa mahakamani ni bunge na Raisi Kagame.

Raisi Kagame katoa Ushauri huo asije buruzwa mahakamani yeye au bunge kwa kusigina katiba ya Rwanda mjanja sanaaaaaaaa!!!!!!