In response to international media reports that Jean-Léonard Rugambage, the deputy editor of the suspended independent newspaper Umuvugizi, was shot dead late Thursday in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, the Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement:
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of Jean-Léonard Rugambage,” said Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. We call on Rwandan authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation exploring all leads for possible motives and masterminds, and make the results available to the public. This murder will add to the climate of uncertainty among independent journalists in Rwanda ahead of the August presidential election.”