Concern over social media control in Rwanda
May 31, 2017
Western diplomats in Rwanda have voiced their concern over an order that presidential candidates must submit their social media messages to the country’s election commission for pre-approval before dissemination.
“We are all concerned about this recent development and I think it is important to really understand what is behind this very, very serious limitation on the freedom of expression,” said US ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles.
Presidential hopeful Diane Rwigara has announced her plans to run for president in August’s elections. She is the daughter of late businessman Assinapol Rwigara. (Picture: Cyril Ndegeya/AFP)
The envoy was speaking at a panel on human rights organised by the European Union and attended by foreign diplomats as well as Rwanda’s justice minister.
The measure giving control over social media use to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will take effect at the start of the official campaign period on July 14 ahead of elections on August 4.
The rule states that all “messages, photographs and other campaign material” to be published on social networks must be submitted to the commission for approval at least 48 hours before they are due to be published.
