Rwanda is amongst the African countries rich in culture and natural resources. The economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture. Coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export. Tourism is also a fast-growing sector and is now the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.
As part of the country’s development on gender equality, a 35-year-old Diane Shima Rwigara has declared her interest to run for the presidency ahead of Rwanda’s election later in the year. She believes that what a man can do, a woman can multiply.
It was reported that Rwigara expects to run for office as an independent candidate. She revealed her manifesto to the citizens and eventually won a lot of hearts. The manufesto entails the eradication of poverty which is one of the country’s major shortcomings.
“I will be tackling poverty, I will be tackling injustice, I will be tackling insecurity. In the last 23 years RPF has been in power, they have not been able, not only to eradicate poverty but even to give Rwandans the minimum, most Rwandans are dying of hunger, they have nowhere to live,” Rwigara said.
She further explained that most Rwandans are dying of hunger and lack shelter as well. She confirmed that it is her greatest concern to eradicate poverty in the country by pointing at the present president who has not been able to tackle the poverty issue in the country.
However, the National Electoral Commission will receive nominations from interested candidates for presidency from June 12 to 23. A provisional list of qualified candidates will be finally announced on 27th of June.
The present Rwandan President, Paul Kagame is widely expected to stand for a third term in the polls – he was elected in 2010 with 93 per cent of the vote. As a matter of fact, he is expected to win this term as well but the coming of Rwigara will make it a worthwhile task as Rwandans are already falling to her feet. Rwandans approved changes to the country’s constitution in a 2015 referendum that effectively enables Kagame to contest for election until 2034.
It was reported last month that the head of Rwanda’s opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza, was selected as his party’s candidate. The party is the only registered opposition party to Kagame’s government following independent individuals who are willing and ready to contest.
Rwigara believed that Rwandans have suffered enough from poverty. She said the time has come for poverty to be eradicated. However, some Rwandans believed in her while some feel she might not get to power. As a matter of fact, whoever gets the power should eradicate poverty in Rwanda for growth and development to be sustained.
