Anne Rwigara, a Rwandan activist who ran for president against President Paul Kagame in 2017, died on Thursday in California at the age of 41.
Rwigara, the youngest daughter of Assinapol Rwigara, a wealthy businessman who died in a car accident in 2015, had been living in exile in the United States since 2017.
According to her family, Rwigara died of stomach pains. She had been complaining of stomach pains for several days before her death.
Rwigara’s death has sparked speculation about whether it was politically motivated. She was a vocal critic of Kagame’s government, and she had been arrested and charged with terrorism in 2017. The charges were later dropped.
Rwigara’s death is a major loss for the Rwandan opposition. She was a brave and outspoken advocate for democracy and human rights.
Background
Rwigara was born in Rwanda in 1982. She studied business administration at the University of Rwanda. After graduating, she worked as a business consultant.
In 2017, Rwigara announced her candidacy for president of Rwanda. She was the first woman to run for president in Rwanda.
Rwigara’s campaign was met with a crackdown by the government. She was arrested and charged with terrorism. The charges were later dropped, but she was barred from running for president.
Rwigara fled Rwanda in 2017 and went into exile in the United States. She continued to speak out against the Kagame government from exile.
Legacy
Rwigara’s death is a major loss for the Rwandan opposition. She was a brave and outspoken advocate for democracy and human rights.
Her death is likely to further fuel the political tensions in Rwanda. The Kagame government is already facing criticism from the international community for its human rights record.
Rwigara’s death is a reminder of the risks that activists face in Rwanda. She was a courageous woman who fought for what she believed in. Her legacy will live on.
