KIGALI, Rwanda – A political party in Rwanda has received permission to legalize its operations after four years of trying to get registered.
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, led by Frank Habineza, said late Friday it received a certificate of registration after years of attempts, during which time one of its vice presidents was murdered in 2010.
It is not clear if the party will be able to participate in Sept. 16 parliamentary elections. The deadline for submissions is Monday. The party asked the National Electoral Commission to extend the deadline.
Habineza said if the party can't run in September it will start preparing for the 2017 presidential vote.
Habineza called the effort to get the party registered — a process begun in August 2009 — "very tough."
