The Supreme Court's administrative chamber on August 07 ruled against Agathon Rwasa and his team in their leadership dispute with the current Congrès national pour la liberté (CNL) party, a decision that satisfies the party's direction. The ruling, identified as dossier RAP 68, concerns the conflict opposing Rwasa's faction against the existing leadership. Agathon Rwasa stated, "Le juge nous a déboutés," (The judge dismissed us) adding that the court's reason was their failure to challenge a specific ministerial letter. Rwasa further explained, "Concrètement, le juge nous a déboutés au motif de ne pas avoir attaqué la lettre n°530/1481/CAB/2024 du 18 mars 2024 du Ministre ayant les partis politiques dans ses attributions prenant acte du pseudo congrès." His team was formally notified of the ruling on September 21.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict stems from an extraordinary congress held in Ngozi on March 10, 2024, which established a new leadership for the Congrès national pour la liberté (CNL) party. The Ministry of Interior officially recognized this new leadership, acknowledging Nestor Girukwishaka as the party's president, through reference number N° 530/1481/CAB/2024 dated March 18, 2024. Agathon Rwasa, described as the "now ex-president," initiated legal proceedings at the Supreme Court's administrative chamber to contest these decisions. Rwasa had specifically asked the Court to annul the conclusions of the March 10 congress. Nestor Girukwishaka stated that "Le contentieux opposant Rwasa et son équipe contre la direction actuelle du parti a été entendu en audience publique à cinq reprises" (The dispute between Rwasa and his team against the current party leadership was heard in public audience five times). Rwasa conceded, "Le juge nous a déboutés" (The judge dismissed us), explaining, "Concrètement, le juge nous a déboutés au motif de ne pas avoir attaqué la lettre n°530/1481/CAB/2024 du 18 mars 2024 du Ministre ayant les partis politiques dans ses attributions prenant acte du pseudo congrès" (Specifically, the judge dismissed us on the grounds of not having challenged letter n°530/1481/CAB/2024 of March 18, 2024, from the Minister responsible for political parties, which took note of the pseudo-congress).
Court Proceedings and Ruling
The Supreme Court's judgment was rendered contradictorily, ruling at first and last instance, in accordance with Article 43 of the law governing the Court. The Court ultimately judged the complaint inadmissible, arguing that the request had not been properly exercised by Agathon Rwasa and his team. The dispute between Rwasa's team and the current Congrès national pour la liberté (CNL) party leadership was heard in public court five times before the final decision. The case underwent deliberation on July 16, 2026, for a period of two months, culminating in the court's ruling.
Rwasa's Disagreement with Verdict
Agathon Rwasa's team maintains they represent the majority members of the 2019 political bureau within the Congrès national pour la liberté (CNL) party. Rwasa expressed regret over the court's decision, stating, "Le juge nous a déboutés" (The judge dismissed us). He further elaborated that the judge dismissed them "Concrètement, le juge nous a déboutés au motif de ne pas avoir attaqué la lettre n°530/1481/CAB/2024 du 18 mars 2024 du Ministre ayant les partis politiques dans ses attributions prenant acte du pseudo congrès" (Specifically, the judge dismissed us on the grounds of not having challenged letter n°530/1481/CAB/2024 of March 18, 2024, from the Minister responsible for political parties, which took note of the pseudo-congress). Rwasa believes the administrative chamber of the Supreme Court rendered a ruling based on erroneous grounds regarding what was requested.
Official Reaction and Next Steps
Nestor Girukwishaka, the president of the Congrès national pour la liberté (CNL) party, called on the requesting party to respect the Supreme Court's judgment. He had previously stated that "Le contentieux opposant Rwasa et son équipe contre la direction actuelle du parti a été entendu en audience publique à cinq reprises," (The dispute between Rwasa and his team against the current party leadership was heard in public audience five times). Girukwishaka's office released a communiqué on September 24, 2026, outlining the party's official stance following the verdict.