Rwanda and Democracy

Texas in Africa picks up on an article in the Independent by Daniel Howden describing the difficulties – including intimidation and violence – that Rwanda’s Green Party* faces in attempting to register for this year’s elections.  Pres. Kagame has openly warned the leader of another opposition party that she could be prosecuted under Rwanda’s anti-genocide laws, which Howden says are used more often as a bureaucratic blockade than a tool for securing peace.

I like Texas in Africa’s post also for the nice job of explaining some of the staples of democracy/governance studies – consolidated democracies, semi-authoritarian regimes – and how we can apply them to Rwanda.  The shenanigans described above make it the latter, rather than the former.

The comments also include an interesting discussion about whether or not banning specific parties – Communist, Nazi – make a country less consolidated.

* Ironically, Rwanda is also the host of this year’s UN World Environment Day.