Rwandan Presidential Challenger’s Sister Anne Rwigara Passes Away

Anne Rwigara, the sister of Diane Rwigara, who once contested the Rwandan presidency against incumbent Paul Kagame, has tragically passed away at the age of 41. Anne‘s sudden demise, which occurred in the United States on Thursday, has left many questioning the circumstances surrounding her death, with some characterizing it as mysterious.

Anne Rwigara, daughter of the late Assinapol Rwigara, a prominent businessman in Rwanda, breathed her last, and the cause of her untimely death remains unknown. The absence of any pre-existing health issues has led to speculation, with Anne‘s mother, Adeline Rwigara, describing her daughter’s passing as a “mystery.”

Reports indicate that Anne had complained of gastrointestinal issues shortly before her unexpected death, adding an element of intrigue to the circumstances surrounding her demise.

The Rwigara family has been no stranger to adversity. Both Anne and her mother, Adeline Rwigara, faced imprisonment in Rwanda for an entire year on charges of tax evasion and election misconduct. The legal troubles stemmed from Diane Rwigara‘s declaration in May 2017 that she intended to challenge President Kagame in the presidential race.

However, the National Electoral Commission later invalidated hundreds of signatures supporting Diane‘s candidacy, accusing her of falsification, effectively preventing her from participating in the election. Subsequently, the Rwanda Revenue Authority informed the Rwigara family of outstanding taxes amounting to $6.7 million, leading to the closure of their family company and the freezing of their bank accounts.

The Rwigara family’s turbulent journey has drawn attention to their total battles and the challenges they faced in the political arena. As Anne Rwigara‘s passing adds another layer of tragedy to the family’s narrative, questions linger about the circumstances surrounding her death and the broader implications for a family that has been at the center of political and legal controversies in Rwanda.