Rwandan Opposition Urges UN on Jailed Leaders

Members of the Rwandan opposition are calling for the UN to intervene in securing the release of opposition leader, Victoire Umuhoza. Below is a report by AFP.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Rwandan opposition parties Monday called on the UN Security Council to intervene to have Victoire Ingabire, the opposition figure arrested last week and other "political prisoners" freed.

The parties -- Ingabire's FDU party, the Democratic Green Party and the PS Imberakuri -- said they have already called on the Rwandan authorities to release Ingabire and others but in vain.

"The Rwandan Opposition is convinced that your urgent intervention will help defuse the current political crisis in the country and help achieve sustainable peace in the Great Lakes Region of Africa," the parties said in an open letter to the Security Council.

Ingabire was arrested last week in Kigali and faces charges including plotting to set up a "terrorist group" and threatening national security.

The parties are also appealing for the release of Bernard Ntaganda, the founder and chairman of PS Imberakuri, in prison since June, and the head of the People's Defence Pact, Deo Mushayidi, sentenced to life.

Ntaganda, who was recently hospitalised, is back in Kigali's central prison, police spokesman Eric Kayiranga said Monday.

"We fear that the present management of the political system has the potential to lead to another cycle of violence. This must be stopped immediately; the UN Security council can prevent this," the three parties said.