Diane Rwigara

"Our Excellence, the international community has rightly congratulated Rwanda for abolishing the death penalty. But I am forced to ask: why are our fellow citizens continually the object of extrajudicial executions? And, as our head of state, why would you condone such executions in your May 10, 2019, Rubavu speech? Your subordinates emulate you. At Mwiseneza's funeral, Chief Superintendent Innocent Iyaburunga blamed Mwiseneza for his own death..."

"“I just came out of a prison but my country still feels like a prison. And the prison guard is none other than the ruling party... dictating to us how to live, what to do and what to say.”"

"“I was not surprised by my arrest. I was kind of expecting it because of what I was doing in the country: if you dare criticise the government that is what happens, you get arrested, imprisoned or lose your life. I expected some form of retaliation.”"

"“I speak the truth, that the system is built on a lie. They simply do not want to be exposed. The lie is that everything is well in Rwanda and I just talk about [the reality] which is the high level of unemployment, the high level of poverty, the disappearances, the killings, all that, and they are not ready for that to be exposed.”"

"I request the president release me and my family.” “I am being victimised … because I have political ambitions.”"

"“I know that you are powerless to deliver a fair verdict and to give me bail. You are trying my case but the real power and decisions will come from the President’s Office, not from you.” “But I urge you to try the best you can and be fair.”"

"“After all the time, work and effort I put in, I am very disappointed to hear that I am not on the list of presidential candidates.”"

"“@PaulKagame why won’t you let me run?”"

"“This is the second time you cheat me out of my right to campaign.”"

"“I am very happy with the court decision. I am continuing with my political journey … everything I talked about in the past has not been resolved. There are still many political prisoners in the country.”"

"“Some of the statistics on Rwanda’s development appear to be cooked.”"

"“I am innocent and the charges are fabricated because I opposed the ruling party.”"

"“I know that you are powerless to deliver a fair verdict and to give me bail. You are trying my case but the real power and decisions will come from the President’s Office, not from you.”"

"“When time comes for leaders to leave power, they get excuses to stay and then say that it is the people who are asking them to continue to lead. This is a bad habit across the continent.”"