The European Parliament recently issued a resolution urging Rwanda to free Ingabire, who was arrested in June 2025 on charges including forming a criminal group and planning activities aimed at causing public unrest.

Writing on X on January 29, 2026,  Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe stated that Rwanda is a sovereign nation and will not accept interference from European institutions that believe they hold superior moral authority. 

His remarks followed claims by the European Parliament that it had received a petition from Ingabire’s son, Rémy Amahirwa, urging the body to pressure Rwanda into releasing his mother.

The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded European leaders that while Europe may exercise authority over territories such as Greenland, Aruba or New Caledonia, it has no mandate whatsoever over Rwanda, a country that gained independence from European colonial rule more than 60 years ago.

“You will never have authority over the Republic of Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said. “Rwanda will not accept continued arrogance or interference from European institutions that disregard African judicial processes.”

In September last year, the European Parliament also described Ingabire’s case as politically motivated, raising concerns over human rights and calling for her immediate release.

RIB confirmed that Ingabire was arrested on January 19, 2025, following a High Court directive related to a case involving Sibomana Sylvain and others. Prosecutors allege that Ingabire played a role in organising training sessions aimed at destabilising the government through public mobilisation.

Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza is currently facing charges related to forming a criminal group and planning actions intended to cause public disorder.