Retired Brigadier General Frank Rusagara passed away last week in Rwanda after enduring 11 years of imprisonment, during which he was denied communication with his wife, who died in the UK in 2016. His family last heard his voice in 2014, just days before his arrest, and they were informed posthumously that he had been battling cancer.
In 2013, Rusagara was forcibly retired amid escalating political repression in Rwanda. He and his brother-in-law, Colonel Tom Byabagamba, were arrested in August 2014, reflecting the government’s pattern of cracking down on critics and those associated with opposition groups.
Prior to his arrest, a military official had allegedly accused Rusagara of maintaining ties with an exile opposition group and inciting rebellion. During his trial, he faced allegations of criticising President Paul Kagame and lamenting the lack of freedom and economic advancement, reportedly labelling Rwanda a “police state” and a “banana republic.”
In his private communications, Rusagara suggested that his arrest was also linked to his previous criticisms of state policies, particularly concerning the Rwandan military’s involvement in the M23 rebellion in Congo during 2012-2013. Despite evidence of torture and witness tampering in his 2016 trial, he and Byabagamba were convicted, with the UN describing their detention as arbitrary by 2017.
The M23, a rebel group Rusagara had once openly discussed, has resurged in Eastern Congo, reigniting violence with alleged logistical support from Rwandan forces, thus fuelling a humanitarian crisis in the region. Thousands of Rwandan troops have been reported assisting the M23 in capturing territory. Rusagara’s death underscores the risks faced by those who dare question government actions in Rwanda. As international partners reconsider their support to Rwanda, they should remember the lives of those who have confronted state oppression.
Frank Rusagara, a retired general in Rwanda, died after over a decade of imprisonment. Arrested in 2014, he faced charges for critiquing the government and alleged ties to opposition groups. His conviction in a flawed trial has been condemned, and his death highlights the risks for dissenters in Rwanda. The resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which has ties to Rwanda, raises further concerns about the country’s political repression.
The passing of Frank Rusagara serves as a poignant reminder of the dire consequences faced by those within the Rwandan system who challenge government authority. His imprisonment and the circumstances surrounding his death reflect an overarching climate of repression that stifles dissent. As global partners reassess their relations with Rwanda, it is crucial they acknowledge the sacrifices made by individuals like Rusagara who bravely stood against state injustices.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
