Rwandan High Court excludes Paul Kagame critic from elections

Rwanda’s High Court has excluded a prominent opposition politician and critic of President Paul Kagame, preventing him from running in July’s presidential elections.

Bernard Ntaganda, 55, had asked the court to lift his convictions so he could qualify to run in the election.

The High Court declined Mr Ntaganda’s request on Tuesday, citing his failure to pay legal fees in the previous case.

“The High Court finds that Ntaganda did not abide by the laws that require individuals to request their conviction to be removed, and therefore rejects his appeal,” the court ruling said, according to AFP news agency.

Mr Ntaganda maintained he had paid the fees, adding that he was not surprised by the court’s decision.