Rwanda opposition seeks to block president term extension
Rwanda’s opposition Democratic Green Party has filed a lawsuit demanding the Supreme Court block any move by parliament to change the constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to run for a third term.
Kagame, whose second seven-year term ends in 2017, has said he opposes the lifting of a two-term limit but is open to staying on if people convince him.
Several politicians and other petitioners have called for a change.
The debate about term limits and challenges to veteran leaders have flared in several places in Africa.
The United States and other Western nations have been pressing African leaders to stick to constitutional rules on presidential terms.
In next door Burundi, protests have rumbled on for more than a month with opponents accusing President Pierre Nkurunziza of violating the constitution by seeking a third term.
Nkurunziza cites a constitutional court ruling saying he can run.
Article 101 of Rwanda’s constitution says the president’s seven-year term can be renewed once and “under no circumstances” should a person hold the office of president for more than two terms. –Reuters
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