On 23 June 2025, several Rwandan opposition political forces issued a joint statement condemning the arrest of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, president of the DALFA-Umurinzi party, who was detained on 19 June in Kigali. While her arrest has raised serious concerns within the opposition, it is also seen as a moment to underline the urgent need for inclusive political dialogue in Rwanda.
Meeting in an extraordinary virtual session on 22 June, the signatories — leaders of political parties and independent figures engaged in peaceful democratic change — expressed solidarity with Mrs Ingabire and praised her non-violent political engagement. “By voluntarily returning to Rwanda in 2010, she demonstrated her commitment to peaceful transformation through dialogue and democratic participation,†the statement reads. For many Rwandans, she symbolises the possibility of political debate based on coexistence and mutual respect, far from the current climate of repression.
Her arrest is described as “a worrying signal for the future of political debate in Rwanda.†Nevertheless, the opposition believes that there is still time to show wisdom and act with political clarity. It calls on the Rwandan authorities to turn this crisis into a historic opportunity for real political openness. “It is time to imagine peaceful coexistence built on mutual recognition, constitutional loyalty, and a shared vision for the future,†the statement continues.
The opposition demands the immediate and unconditional release of Victoire Ingabire and an end to the arrests and intimidation of peaceful opponents and civil society actors. They reaffirm their commitment to a reconciled and democratic Rwanda, governed by respect for human rights. While expressing a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue, the signatories also reaffirm their determination to continue the peaceful struggle for political reform.
The joint statement is signed by leading opposition parties and figures in exile or operating under restriction: Amahoro PC (Etienne Masozera), FDU-Inkingi (Placide Kayumba), GREX (Thomas Nahimana), PS-Imberakuri (Ryumugabe Jean Baptiste), RDI-Rwanda Nzinza (Hildebrand Kayibanda), RNC (Emmanuel Hakizimana), RRM (Kasimu Butoyi), PDR-Ihumure (Paul Rusesabagina), as well as independent political figures such as General Emmanuel Habyarimana and Nkiko Nsengimana.
For these groups and individuals, freeing Victoire Ingabire would be a powerful first step towards opening a new chapter in Rwanda’s political life — one where differing opinions are not punished, but valued as a strength for the nation.
