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Grenade Attack Mars President Kagameâs Election Victory

   Peter Clottey 11 August 2010
   A supporter of Rwandan president Paul Kagame shows his support for the
   ruling RPF party during a victory celebration, 10 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   A supporter of Rwandan president Paul Kagame shows his support for the
   ruling  RPF  party  during  a  victory  celebration held at the Amhoro
   stadium  in  Kigali  before the official results are announced, 10 Aug
   2010

   Rwandaâs   Justice   Minister   has   sharply  condemned  as  barbaric
   Wednesdayâs  grenade  attack  in  the  capital,  Kigali  shortly after
   incumbent  President  Paul  Kagame  was  officially declared winner of
   Mondayâs vote. At least seven people were wounded.

   Tharcisse  Karugarama told VOA officials of the security agencies have
   begun  a  thorough  investigation  into what he described as a heinous
   crime perpetrated against unarmed civilians.

   âIt  is  very  unfortunate  that anybody, anywhere, (and) for whatever
   reason  should  find  excuse  to throw a grenade among innocent people
   waiting  for  their  taxis  at a very, very busy place where children,
   young and old, (and) women were gathered and trying to get their taxis
   back  home.  I  donât  think they have any justification whatsoever to
   throw  a  grenade  at  innocent  civilians  going about their ordinary
   business,â he said.

   Police  said  a  grenade  was  thrown near the main bus station in the
   capital.  There  was  no  immediate  claim  of responsibility. Justice
   Minister Karugarama described the attack as an act of malevolence.

   âIf anybody has a grudge, any reason whatever to fight the government,
   they  should  fight the government through means that would target the
   government,  if  that  is  what  they  are against. But, throwing hand
   grenades  among  (a)  very busy population is evil. It is unacceptable
   and  I  would  condemn it in the strongest terms possible,â Karugarama
   said.

   He  also called on the security agencies to track down the âevildoersâ
   and bring them to justice.

   Rwandaâs  electoral commission officially declared incumbent President
   Paul  Kagame  duly  re-elected after saying he won a landslide victory
   with about 93 percent of the total vote cast.

   But, critics say the three opponents failed to provide any significant
   challenge during the vote.

   Justice  Minister  Karugarama  said  that  the perpetrators behind the
   grenade attack will be apprehended and âneutralized.â

   Recently,  there  have  been  several  grenade  attacks in the capital
   Kigali. The government has often blamed opponents for the attacks.

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