Rwanda prepares for poll

Rwanda President Paul Kagame, campaigned in Gasabo, a suburb of the capital Kigali, in the run-up to the August 4 general and presidential elections.

Tens of thousands of his supporters were beaten back by police brandishing baton sticks and fenced in as they fought to catch one last glimpse of their leader.

Rwanda was dead before and now we are alive," said Solange Mubaraki, the founder of Defence Spouses Alliance Cyuzuzo, a local support group of more than 250 wives of those serving in Rwanda's security services.

"In the immediate run-up to the elections, Rwanda's international partners with a presence in the country should continue to closely monitor the situation and speak out about any violations they observe," she said in an email.

"Whoever is elected president should commit to fundamental reforms to ensure the 2024 elections takes place in a context where the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are truly respected," she said.

UCJ, UNILORIN.