This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34477023
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Rwanda court backs scrapping presidential term limits | Rwanda court backs scrapping presidential term limits |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Rwanda's highest court has ruled in favour of changing the constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to stand for a third seven-year term in 2017. | Rwanda's highest court has ruled in favour of changing the constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to stand for a third seven-year term in 2017. |
It would be undemocratic to deny people the right to "choose how they are governed", the court said. | It would be undemocratic to deny people the right to "choose how they are governed", the court said. |
Rwanda plans to hold a referendum to see whether the public supports a constitutional amendment to lift the current two-term limit on presidents. | Rwanda plans to hold a referendum to see whether the public supports a constitutional amendment to lift the current two-term limit on presidents. |
Third-term presidential campaigns have caused unrest in other African states. | Third-term presidential campaigns have caused unrest in other African states. |
In neighbouring Burundi, at least 70 people were killed after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April that he was running for a third term. | In neighbouring Burundi, at least 70 people were killed after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April that he was running for a third term. |
Mr Kagame criticised Mr Nkurunziza's decision to seek re-election, but has said Rwandans will decide his future. | Mr Kagame criticised Mr Nkurunziza's decision to seek re-election, but has said Rwandans will decide his future. |
Rwanda's parliament has approved changing the constitution after more than 3.7 million people had signed a petition asking for the two-term limit to be scrapped, according to officials. | Rwanda's parliament has approved changing the constitution after more than 3.7 million people had signed a petition asking for the two-term limit to be scrapped, according to officials. |
The small opposition Democratic Green Party, which brought the court case, said it would launch a nationwide campaign to urge voters to reject the constitutional amendment. | The small opposition Democratic Green Party, which brought the court case, said it would launch a nationwide campaign to urge voters to reject the constitutional amendment. |
The party said it would also consider launching legal action in regional and pan-African courts to block changes to the constitution. | The party said it would also consider launching legal action in regional and pan-African courts to block changes to the constitution. |
Mr Kagame's Rwanda Patriotic Front has been in power in Rwanda since the end of the genocide in 1994. | |
He has been a staunch ally of the UK and US, who are among Rwanda's major donors. | He has been a staunch ally of the UK and US, who are among Rwanda's major donors. |
His supporters say he has helped achieved stability and economic growth. His critics say he has presided over a repressive regime which stifles dissent. | His supporters say he has helped achieved stability and economic growth. His critics say he has presided over a repressive regime which stifles dissent. |
Previous version
1
Next version