Investigative journalist John Williams Ntwali, often critical of Rwanda’s government, killed in a car accident

John Williams Ntwali, one in all Rwanda’s few journalists who revealed tales important of the federal government, has died. 

Ntwali was the only real fatality in a automobile accident in Kigali on Wednesday, police spokesman John Bosco Kabera advised Reuters. The driver of the opposite car has been arrested and “the accident file is being processed for onward transmission to prosecution,” Kabera stated.

Numerous human rights organizations known as for an impartial investigation into his dying, as quite a few journalists, advocates, and critics of President Paul Kagame and his ruling occasion have mysteriously disappeared, been discovered lifeless, or been jailed.

Human Rights Watch stated he “joins a long list of people who have challenged the government and died in suspicious circumstances.”

“John Williams Ntwali was a lifeline for many victims of human rights violations and often the only journalist who dared report on issues of political persecution and repression,” stated Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

In Rwanda, the media surroundings is oppressive, tightly managed, and harmful. During the final 20 years, 17 journalists have been killed, based on knowledge collected by the Committee to Protect Journalists.  As the editor of the newspaper The Chronicles, Ntwali investigated high-profile political trials, corruption instances, and different delicate points. He typically posted gadgets on his social media feed and YouTube channel important of the federal government’s method. On Jan. 10, Ntwali posted on his Twitter account a report that the Rwandan authorities was meddling in spiritual administration.

He had been arrested quite a few instances all through his profession and spoke typically about fearing for his life and security.