OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE RWANDAN OPPOSITION COALITION FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE

 As part of the end-of-year meetings and gatherings and on the occasion of the New Year 2026 celebrations, His Excellency Padri Thomas NAHIMANA brought together his close collaborators and key players in the Rwandan political opposition to jointly review and analyze the current political and geopolitical context in Rwanda and the African Great Lakes region.

ARTICLE ONE

They reviewed the crucial problems facing the Rwandan people, as a consequence of the worst political decisions of the tyrannical RPF-Inkotanyi regime led by General Paul Kagame. They recalled that this regime was built and consolidated on three pillars: lies, terror, and nepotism. Added to this is the rampant plundering of the Democratic Republic of Congo's resources and the security destabilization strategies throughout the African Great Lakes Region.

ARTICLE 2

They were well convinced that peace and security public policies can never be implemented in Rwanda and throughout the African Great Lakes region as long as the Rwandan government remains in the criminal hands of Paul Kagame and the cronies of his regime.

ARTICLE 3

It became very clear for them that effective actions and original initiatives would be needed to achieve the regime change desired by Rwandans and the populations of the countries in the Region.

ARTICLE 4

THEREFORE, THEY HAVE TAKEN THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS:

FIRST

Establishing a political framework and an appropriate strategy to combine “ efforts and will “ of all those who can no longer tolerate the criminal style of governance of the RPF-Inkotanyi. This means that a "Rwandan Opposition Coalition" must be created, uniting opponents both inside and outside the country for genuine and concerted action.

SECOND

Launching a sincere consultation within all political organizations still active in the Rwandan opposition and invite their leadership to get involved in the formation of the Rwandan Opposition Coalition.

THIRD

Approach and raise awareness among friendly countries to make them understand that  time has come for them to recognize and support the Rwandan Opposition Coalition in its legitimate struggle to end the hegemonic regime of the RPF-Inkotanyi.

ARTICLE 5

FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH RWANDAN OPPOSITION POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE WAY BECAME CLEARER:

FIRST

The only possible, adequate, effective and beneficial strategy for the Rwandan opposition to move in the right direction is the formation of a “Coalition of Rwandan Opposition politicians”, animated with good faith, determined and willing to commit themselves to the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the nation.

ROC Emblem

SECOND

The task of bringing these politicians together is proving to be both imperative and urgent.

ARTICLE 6

IN ANY CASE, AS OF TODAY, WE ARE PRESENTING OURSELVES BEFORE YOU TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE FOLLOWING:

Number ONE

 ONE HUNDRED RWANDAN POLITICIANS have come together to form:The "Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change"(ROC, its acronym)

Which translates to French:La "Coalition de l'Opposition Rwandaise pour le Changement Démocratique".

Number TWO

Who are these ONE HUNDRED (100) Rwandan POLITICIANS launching the "Rwandan Opposition Coalition" (ROC)?

These are men and women from all 30 Districts of Rwandan territory; nationals of the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups; of all age categories; of different religious faiths and philosophies; they are activists from various political associations and civil society; some are inside Rwanda while others are organizing themselves in exile; they are animated and united by the common determination to strivefor effective democratic change in Rwanda.

Number THREE:The "Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change" (ROC) publicly and officially declares that it will participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 2029.

Number FOUR

The "Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change" (ROC) has unanimously nominatedHis Excellency Padri Thomas NAHIMANA as its candidate for President of the Republic of Rwanda for the 2029 elections.

Number FIVE

The "Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change" (ROC) wishes to express its sincere gratitude to all Western and African democracies that have agreed to support and accompany its efforts, and therefore requests that they freeze and suspend, immediately, all forms of aid they have been providing to the despised RPF-Inkotanyi regime, which has spent more than 30 years sowing terror, death and desolation in Rwanda and throughout the entire Great Lakes region of Africa; impose effective economic sanctions and an embargo on arms and ammunition; and finally, issue an international arrest warrant for each of those liable for massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanityand crimes of genocost in order for those implicated to face justice.

Number SIX.

The "Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change" (ROC) calls on all Rwandan citizens of goodwill wishing to see the dream of democratic change become reality, to  grant it their sincere and total support in order to defeat the RPF-Inkotanyi; install a New Government in Kigali that will open up the political space; ban all forms of apartheid established by the RPF in all sectors of national life; release all political prisoners; undertake the repatriation of refugees; guarantee equal chances and opportunities to all citizens without discrimination; definitively end armed aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and  prioritize peace and integrated development projects for the benefit of the populations of the African Great Lakes countries.

ARTICLE SEVEN

Aware and convinced that Almighty God, Master of times and circumstances, will always operate alongside the Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (ROC), we have reason to hope that the final victory will belong to us, the peacemakers, to the people so deeply wounded, in Rwanda, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and throughout the African Great Lakes Region.

Done in Washington DC, United States of America,

Date: January 16, 2026

Ms Claire Marie Urusaro

Spokesperson of the Rwandan Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (ROC)