Politicians in Rwanda are cracking down on the quick-witted observations of the nation’s cartoonists.
As part of new revisions to the penal code, any writings or cartoons that “humiliates” lawmakers, cabinet members, or security officers will be dubbed an offense and could attract two years in prison or a fine of up to one million Rwandan francs ($1,152). Any person who defames the president could also be jailed between five and seven years and fined 7 million francs. Editing images or statements “in bad faith” without stating it wasn’t the original version could also draw up to two million francs and a prison sentence of not more than one year.
Defaming Rwanda’s head of state already was illegal, bringing five to seven years in prison and a $8,140 fine.
Media freedom in Rwanda remains severely restricted, with journalists facing intimidation, arbitrary arrest, and jail terms according to US-based advocacy group Freedom House. Many journalists and cartoonist also practice self-censorship partly to avoid a return to the genocide and ethnic battles that tore the nation apart in the early 1990s but also to sidestep the continued intolerance for government criticism.
Under president Paul Kagame, Rwanda has transformed into one of Africa’s most stable and least corrupt governments. Yet critics say Rwanda enjoys “repressive peace ” with one man and one party enjoying disproportionate power over the country. Last year, Kagame won re-election for a third time by a landslide, extending his 17-year rule over the central African nation with over 98% of the vote. Opposition candidates like Diane Rwigara, the
sole female challenger in the race, was disqualified from running and arrested.
With the signing of the new law, Rwanda follows in the footsteps of neighboring nations who have passed legislation or taken actions limiting freedom of speech both offline and online. These include Tanzania, which has banned numerous newspapers and radio stations and introduced exorbitant fees to register blogs. Mozambique has also put a hefty price tag for radio stations to acquire licenses.
