Party of Democracy in Rwanda – Ihumure Parti Démocratique au Rwanda | |
---|---|
Founder | Paul Rusesabagina |
Founded | 2006 |
Ideology | Hutu interests |
Website | |
mrcd-ubumwe | |
The Party of Democracy in Rwanda – Ihumure (French: Parti Démocratique au Rwanda), often shortened to PDR-Ihumure, is a Rwandan opposition political party, which chiefly operates in exile in the United States and Europe.[1] It is a part of the MRCD (Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change, French: Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Démocratique) coalition of opposition parties. Along with PDR-Ihumure, the coalition includes CNRD-Ubwiyunge, RRM, and RDI-Rwanda Riza.[2][3]
In 2006, the party was founded in the diaspora by activist Paul Rusesabagina, on whom the Hollywood blockbuster Hotel Rwanda is based.[4][5] Rusesabagina is currently president of the party and the MRCD coalition, though he has been held in prison in Rwanda since being arrested in August 2020.[6]
PDR-Ihumure is seen as a primarily Hutu party by scholars.[1][7] It has been linked with Hutu Power groups, ex-FAR troops, and Rwandan Liberation Movements in Congo.[1] The party was formed expressly to oppose the ruling RPF party, led by Rwandan President Paul Kagame.