RWANDAN ALLIANCE FOR THE RENAISSANCE OF THE NATION
ARENA-ISANGANO RY’ABANYARWANDA
DECLARATION 002/ 2002:
ARENA IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE “IGIHANGO” FORMED THIS PAST
WEEK IN GERMANY.
We have learned that a meeting of a number of Rwandan
opposition parties was recently held in Germany. The said meeting resulted in the formation of the alliance
“IGIHANGO” of the participating parties.
This declaration is to inform those present at the meeting
and the Rwandan community, as well as the international community, that ARENA
DID NOT PARTICIPATE in the said meeting, THEREFORE, IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE
FORMED ALLIANCE.
We have also learned that Mr. Joseph K. Sebarenzi, Mr.
Joseph Ngarambe, Mr. Deus Kagiraneza, and Mr. Gerard Karangwa, all members of
ARENA, participated in the meeting in ARENA’s name - even though they were not
mandated to do so - in an attempt to force it into the fore-mentioned alliance,
notwithstanding an already existing party line on the matter.
Consequently, Mr. Sebarenzi, Mr. Ngarambe, Mr. Kagiraneza,
and Mr. Karangwa have been suspended from all activities representing the party
until further notice. Any
statements they make or any agreements they enter into, will not engage ARENA.
While ARENA strongly believes that an inter Rwandan
dialogue is the only path to a lasting solution to the predicaments that have
besieged our country, we maintain that such a dialogue must be based on peace,
justice, and democracy. As long as
facts - such as the genocide of Tutsis and the massacre of Hutus - are not
acknowledged, denounced in words and in deeds, no alliance will bring about
peace and justice. Furthermore,
“another inter Rwandan war” must not be an option.
One must keep in mind that in such a war, it is Rwandans that die on both
sides, not to mention the innocent civilian casualties. Rwanda cannot survive any more bloodshed.
We invite all peace loving Rwandans and the international community, to
stand with us, in the search for a peaceful, lawful, and democratic Rwanda.
ARENA will seek collaboration with other political forces
that want a fundamental change capable of bringing lasting peace to Rwanda.
This issue will be discussed in its upcoming constituent meeting in
Ottawa, Canada, at the end of May 2002.
March 31, 2002.
For ARENA,
Gratien Rudakubana
Hiram Gahima
David Nkurunziza
Ange Twagirayezu
Jeff Nsengimana