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Sunday 26 November 2023

Anne Rwigara: Rwanda’s vocal opposition figure dies mysteriously



Anne Rwigara, the sister to Diane Rwigara, who attempted to rival President Paul Kagame in the last Rwandan General Elections (2017) has passed on at the age of 41.

Anne was the daughter of the late Rwandan business mogul Assinapol Rwigara and lived in the United States where she passed on on Thursday.

Her mother, Adeline Rwigara, told the media that her daughter was not sick, making her death a “mystery.” Anne had complained of stomach issues a few days before she passed away.

Anne Rwigara: Rwanda's vocal opposition figure dies mysteriously
Diane Rwigara attempted to challenge President Paul Kagame in the 2017 General Elections. She did not make it to the ballot as the electoral body disqualified her citing forged signatures. [Photo/BBC].

Anne and her mother were jailed in Rwanda for a whole year on charges of tax evasion and election misconduct.

In May 2017, Diane, Anne’s sister, announced that she would challenge President Kagame in the election. However, the National Electoral Commission said Diane’s signatures were fake, preventing her from running.

The Rwigara family was also told by the Rwanda Revenue Authority that they owed $6.7 million in unpaid taxes. As a result, their company was closed, and their bank accounts were blocked.


Anne Rwigara: Rwanda's vocal opposition figure dies mysteriously
Diane Rwigara attempted to challenge President Paul Kagame in the 2017 General Elections. She did not make it to the ballot as the electoral body disqualified her citing forged signatures. [Photo/BBC].

Anne and her mother were jailed in Rwanda for a whole year on charges of tax evasion and election misconduct.

In May 2017, Diane, Anne’s sister, announced that she would challenge President Kagame in the election. However, the National Electoral Commission said Diane’s signatures were fake, preventing her from running.

The Rwigara family was also told by the Rwanda Revenue Authority that they owed $6.7 million in unpaid taxes. As a result, their company was closed, and their bank accounts were blocked.

Anne Rwigara: Rwanda's vocal opposition figure dies mysteriously
Anne Rwigara and her mother, Adeline in court. They were arrested in 2017 and slapped with a one-year jail term each. [Photo/BBC].


Their father Assinapol died in a road accident in 2015 with the family claiming that it was planned. They however did not shed light on who may have planned his alleged execution through the accident.




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