• Text size  | | |
• Email this document
• Printable version

Rwanda: The Rwandan Democratic Alliance (Alliance démocratique rwandaise, ADR), particularly the date and place it was founded, the location of its current head office, the names of its leaders, its objectives, the ethnic origin of its members and leaders, and treatment of its members and of persons suspected of being members by the Rwandan government authorities (April 2006)

Sources indicate that the Rwandan Democratic Alliance (Alliance démocratique rwandaise, ADR-Isangano) [Isangano means alliance in the Kinyarwanda language] (ADR-Isangano 14 Jan. 2002) was formed in Brussels in January 2002 through the merger of the African Democratic Congress (Congrès démocratique africain, CDA) and the Movement for Peace, Democracy and Development (Mouvement pour la paix, la démocratie et le développement, MPDD) (ADR-Isangano 14 Jan. 2002; UK Apr. 2004; Royal African Society 2004; Afrique Express 6 Feb. 2003). The letterhead on the news release which the party's spokesperson sent to the Research Directorate indicates that the ADR's head office is located at Molenbeeek 5 in Belgium (ADR-Isangano 14 Jan. 2002).

The 14 January 2002 news release sent to the Research Directorate on 8 April 2006 by the ADR-Isangano spokesperson indicates that the ADR-Isangano has the following objectives:

[translation]

• Establish a bicameral parliamentary consensus democracy.
• Promote good governance, establish the rule of law and eliminate impunity.
• Restore national unity and establish viable and sustainable national reconciliation mechanisms.
• Organize national defence and implement national security structures to serve the people.
• Find a definitive solution to the difficult refugee problem.
• Build a modern economy that respects social justice and transparency in public service management.
• Reorganize and improve social services.
• Establish a clear policy and mechanisms for ensuring the active promotion and participation of women and youths.
• Establish a serious policy for national education, research and awareness of Rwandan culture in all its diversity.
• Actively promote the integration of Rwanda into a regional body that is politically and economically viable, and participate in promoting African integration.

The ADR-Isangano spokesperson stated that approximately 99 percent of the organization's members live in Rwanda, but that for reasons of [translation] "security and effectiveness", they [translation] "do not know each other"; [translation] "each member knows only his or her local leader" (ADR-Isangano 8 Apr. 2006). The spokesperson explained that the ADR party accepts all Rwandans, [translation] "without regard to ethnicity" as members (ibid.). The ADR-Isangano does not issue membership cards (ADR-Isangano 8 Apr. 2006). The spokesperson identified Jean Baptiste Mberabahizi as its president, Nkiko Nsengimana as its second vice-president, Deo Lukyamuzi as its secretary-general, Sixbert Musangamfura as its spokesperson, Nsengiyaremye Dismas as its political adviser, and Nkezabera Jean Marie as its financial adviser (ADR-Isangano 8 Apr. 2006). He said that these are the current leaders of the ADR-Isangano and that they do not live in hiding, in Rwanda or in any other country in the African Great Lakes region (ibid.).

In its report on the end of the transition in Rwanda, the International Crisis Group (ICG) commented on the alliance between the MPDD and CDA, [ICG English version] "two small parties of exiles and independent [Hutu] politicians," and stated that

[ICG English version]

their alliance and the presence of strong personalities from the FRD [Resistance Forces for Democracy], the MDR [Democratic Republican Movement] and moderate parties (Rwandan Socialist Party, PSR) added prominence to this movement, thanks especially to the participation of Sixbert Musangamfura (MDR) and Jean-Baptiste Mberabahizi (former PSR who collaborated with the RPF, member of the FRD with close ties to Seth Sendashonga, and founding member of the CDA). They filled in the void left by the FRD by positioning themselves as a Hutu opposition party that was more moderate than the UFDR [Rwandan Democratic Forces]. In addition, the ADR's ties with Tutsi RPA [Rwandan Patriotic Army] deserters increased its credibility. (12 Nov. 2002, 23).

The fact that the ADR-Isangano has APR Tutsi deserters as members was also noted in "The Dismantling of the Rwandan Political Opposition in Exile," an article published in L'Afrique des Grands Lacs : Annuaire 2003-2004 (2004, 24). ICG also explained that

[ICG English version]

[t]he [ADR-Isangano] now portrays itself as political and non-violent, but it also claims to have ties with Major Furuma, who has been based in Kampala since 2000. The ADR is seeking military support in Uganda, but has yet to find it (13 Nov. 2002, 24).

As for the policy advocated by Rwanda's three opposition parties, including the ADR-Isangano, ICG explained that

[ICG English version]

[t]he three main movements, IGIHANGO, ADR and UFDR, are proposing a consensus-based political system. The ethnic mix of the main two movements and the presence of moderate Hutus in the UFDR has led to a discussion based on power sharing and a real balance of power between the various political circles of influence (Hutus, Tutsis, North, South, Tutsis in Rwanda and the Burundian, Ugandan and Congolese disasporas). All the players realise that a classic "one person, one vote" model of democracy will give a victory to the Hutus and consequently, will not end the country's perpetual conflicts. Unlike the Rwandan government, the IGIHANGO Alliance is not denying the ethnic problems and is seeking institutional solutions such as a bicameral assembly with equal representation or representation by quota for the Senate. It is also demanding veto power for cases in which a group would be threatened by a bill.

[. . .]

On the other hand, the IGIHANGO Alliance and the ADR do not agree on the semi-presidential system and are opting for a consensual or concordance-based parliamentary system (13 Nov. 2002, 25).

No information on the treatment of ADR-Isangano members or of people suspected of being members could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the ADR-Isangano spokesperson indicated that his organization is not recognized as an opposition party by the Rwandan authorities (8 Apr. 2006). He also stated that many people accused of belonging to the ADR-Isangano have been [translation] "arrested, tortured or executed" by the Rwandan authorities (ADR-Isangano 8 Apr. 2006). He cited the case of Dr. Léonard Hitimana, [translation] "an official MDR member of parliament, [who] was abducted and executed on 7 April 2003" (ADR 8 Apr. 2006). He also noted the case of certain [translation] "soldiers with the current Rwandan army who are being detained because they are suspected of collaborating with enemies of the regime, such as the ADR," but he did not mention any names (ADR 8 Apr. 2006). The spokesperson's statements could not be corroborated by the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Afrique-Express. 6 February 2002. "Rwanda : création d'un nouveau parti d'opposition en exil. Un nouveau parti de l'opposition politique rwandaise en exil a été créé le 17 janvier à Bruxelles." <http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/CENTRALE/rwanda/rwandapol/244nouveaupartiexil.htm> [Accessed 3 Apr. 2006]

Alliance démocratique rwandaise (ADR-Isangano). 8 April 2006. Correspondence from the spokesperson.
_____. 14 January 2002. "Création de l'Alliance démocratique rwandaise, ADR." News release 001/2002 from the ADR's spokesperson.

International Crisis Group (ICG). 13 November 2002. Fin de transition au Rwanda : une libéralisation politique nécessaire. <http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/report_archives/A400819_13112002.pdf> [Accessed 6 Apr. 2006]

Reyntjens, F. and S. Marysse. 2004. L'Afrique des Grands Lacs : annuaire 2003-2004. Paris: L'Harmattan.

Royal African Society. 2004. Filip Reyntjens. Rwanda, Ten Years On: From Genocide to Dictatorship. <http://www.burundirealite.org/burundi/files/rentjens.pdf> [Accessed 8 Apr. 2006]

United Kingdom (UK). April 2004. Home Office. Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Rwanda Country Report. <http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home/opendoc.pdf?tbl=RSDCOI&id=40a887827> [Accessed 4 Apr. 2006]

Additional Sources Consulted

Sources: A representative of the Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs [Kigali] indicated during an 8 April 2006 telephone interview that she did not know whether the ADR-Isangano or some of its members were in Rwanda.

Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, L'Afrique des Grands lacs : Annuaire 2004-2005, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Resource Centre country file.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International, BBC News, CIA World Factbook, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net), Factiva, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Crisis Group (ICG), FIDH, IRIN, Minorities at Risk Project, Political Parties of the World, Relief Web, UNHCR, United Kingdom Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), United Nations Security Council, United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, United States Department of State.

Topics: Political parties,