The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform all Rwandans and the general public that it successfully concluded parliamentary campaigns and got 5% of national electorate vote which has enabled it enter Rwandan Parliament for the next five-year term (2018-2023). DGPR is grateful to all those who voted us into Parliament and all the partners in the parliamentary campaigns, notably: the public and private media, Rwandan police and security organs, local authorities, all party members and supporters as well as other competitors who campaigned with respect and passion for the country’s development. Contrary to opponents’ negative perceptions, the Democratic Green Party stands for Love and not for Hate, Hope and not for Fear, Peace and Non-violence and not for War, Construction and not for Destruction. We campaigned centered on three pillars: transformation, opportunity and prosperity for all – around which our political program rotated. We will strive for and support transformation and reforms in democracy and human rights, agricultural revolution and land reforms, quality healthcare and education, sound environment management, sustainable security and development, vibrant and independent media, critical and intellectual civil society, financial sector that supports green investment and entrepreneurship, growing and inclusive economy, judiciary that guarantees human rights and promotes rule of law, good governance hinged on democracy, unity and reconciliation process based on truth for Rwandans, advocate for electoral reforms in regards to local elections and other sectors, to mention but a few. We will advocate for citizen-driven bills and citizenry close parliament contrary to the status quo, promote quality education that engenders education tourism and world standing in education system, sector specific banks such as import and export bank, cooperative bank, agricultural bank and green investment bank to complement 16 commercial banks we have in the country. We will restlessly struggle for taxation that: ensures progressive taxation, tax breaks especially start-ups and entrepreneurs notably youths and women, eliminates tax evasion and tax refugees, eliminates land tax and ensure total land ownership, enhances tax harmonisation and tax education to remove tax penalties. We will fight against unemployment with creation of Rwanda Employment Board to meet the challenges therein and reduce inequality with 1:10 ratio of salaries in an organisation, enhance skills development for the future within the populace as well as technology use in social and economic transformation. Done at Kigali, 5th September 2018 Dr.Frank HABINEZA DGPR President
Rwanda National Electoral Commission Confirms 32 DGPR Parliamentary Candidates The National Electoral commission confirmed 32 out of 34 DGPR parliamentary candidates. The confirmed candidates include 14 women and 18 men. Electoral campaigns will begin on 13th August and end on 1st September. Elections will be on 2nd and 3rd September 2018. FINAL LIST OF DGPR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES Dr. Frank HABINEZA Mr. Jean Claude NTEZIMANA Ms. Carine MAOMBI Mr. Jean Deogratias TUYISHIME Ms. Jacqueline UWERA Mr. Sylvestre HITIMANA Ms. ICYIZANYE MASOZERA Mr. Leonard GASHUGI Mr. Alexis MUGISHA Ms. Marie Aimée Uwizeyimana Ms. Denise MUKANSANGA Mr. Vincent HABUMUGISHA Ms. Marie Gorethe NIMUKUZE Mr. Ferdinand MUTABAZI Ms. Francine MUREKAZE Mr. Pascal RUGIRA Ms. Veronique MUKANGABE Mr. Jean Marie Vianey MWISENEZA Ms. Consolée HABAGUHIRWA Mr .Jean Luc GASANGWA Ms. Charlotte UMUTESI Mr. Modeste NTIHANUWAYO Ms. Leonila MUKANDAYISENGA Mr. Olivier BAZAMBANZA Ms. Sylvie MUTESI Mr. Hussen SIBOMANA Mr. Alexis BAKUZAKUNDI Ms. MUTESI Mr. Sixte NTIVUGURUZWA Ms. Beatrice MUJAWIMANA Mr. Louis MASENGESHO Mr. Joseph DUSABIMANA Done at Kigali, 8th August 2018 Dr.Frank Habineza Party President
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has submitted to the National Electoral Commission a list of 34 parliamentary candidates, which includes 16 women and 18 men. DGPR’s third congress held on 23 June 2018 confirmed the party’s participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections. It also confirmed the revised political platform which will serve as a manifesto. Election will be held on 2nd and 3rd September, while campaigns will begin on 13th August and end on 1st September. Please find the Final List of Parliamentary candidates below and attached: DGPR FINAL LIST OF PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES Dr.Frank HABINEZA Mr.Jean Claude NTEZIMANA Ms. Carine MAOMBI Mr.Jean Deogratius TUYISHIME Ms.Jacqueline UWERA Mr.Sylvestre HITIMANA Ms. ICYIZANYE MASOZERA Mr.Leonard GASHUGI Mr.Alexis MUGISHA Ms. Marie Aimee UWIZEYIMANA Ms. Denise MUKANSANGA Mr. Vincent HABUMUGISHA Ms.Marie Gorethe NIMUKUZE Mr. Ferdinand MUTABAZI Ms.Francine MUREKAZE Mr. Pascal RUGIRA Ms.Veronique MUKANGABE Mr.Jean Marie Vianey MWISENEZA Ms.Consolee HABAGUHIRWA Mr.Jean Luc GASANGWA Ms.Charlotte UMUTESI Mr.Modeste NTIHANUWAYO Ms.Leonila MUKANDAYISENGA Mr.Olivier BAZAMBANZA Ms.Sylvie MUTESI Mr.Hussen SIBOMANA Ms.Litha MUKABARANGA Mr.Alexis BAKUZAKUNDI Ms.MUTESI Mr. Sixty NTIVUGURUZWA Ms. Beatrice MUJAWIMANA Mr. Louis MASENGESHO Ms.Frotunee MUKANTWALI Mr. Joseph DUSABIMANA ////// Done at Kigali, 19th July 2018 Dr.Frank Habineza DGPR President
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform members of the media and the public that it successfully held its third congress on 23rd June 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. The congress approved 55 Parliamentary Candidates, the provisional list includes 21 women and 34 men. The final list will be submitted to the National Electoral Commission between 12-25 July. Parliamentary elections are planned for 2nd and 3rd September 2018, while electoral campaigns will commence on 13th August -1st September. The Congress renewed the mandate of the Executive Committee members and elected a new national Treasurer. It also elected 11 leaders for each of the four provinces and the City of Kigali. The Congress also approved a revised party-political program (manifesto), which will be used for parliamentary campaigns. The Party program had been approved in March 2017 before presidential elections, however, some of the key issues which were highlighted have already been implemented by the Government of Rwanda. This required an updated version of the Political Program, where other pressing issues were included and those already implemented removed. Key Issues in the Revised Political Program (manifesto): Justice Sector: DGPR will seek the establishment of the Constitutional Court, to deal with all constitutional related cases and matters; DGPR will seek the supremacy of the Supreme Court, where by no one could be able to appeal its decisions to the Ombudsman; Prisoners should not be imprisoned in prisons far from their home areas, this will be changed. Convicts serving non-criminal sentences, will have to serve them outside prison, this will help to reduce the huge number of prisoners and save national budget, while making those convicts productive to the society; Set up a special court to retry cases of politicians in prison who are not satisfied with court decisions. National Security and National Sovereignty: DGPR will seek the establishment of the National Security Council, comprising of civilian authorities, military, police and other security organs; Regarding armed groups that attack the country, we shall strengthen national security using modern technology to monitor our boarders. These will include security cameras and satellites among others. We shall also increase the capacity and resources of the national police and other security institutions; DGPR will ensure dialogue between the Government and Rwandans outside the country to deter armed rebellions. Media: We shall request for the establishment of the Ministry of Information, which will specifically deal with media development and policy; We shall set up a media development fund to support private media houses to develop and get resources; We shall encourage the state to share public tenders with both public and private media. Land: We shall work towards a new legislation that will repeal land tax and restore land ownership to the citizens; We will seek legislation of a national land use plan clearly indicating where to farm and where to settle and construct houses; We shall revise the Land-consolidation policy which limits people to plant crops of their choice and give them rights to participate in the decision-making process of what to grow on their land. Government can have its own land for commercial farming. Economy: We shall seek legislation promoting progressive taxation and reduce several repetitive taxes that hinder business growth and increase the tax base; We shall establish the minimum wage; We shall seek legislation establishing the Cooperative Bank of Rwanda, to promote sustainable growth of cooperative societies; We shall seek legislation that reduces taxes on motor vehicles or other machines that do not use petroleum products; We will promote renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy; We shall promote CLEAN industries that do not pollute the environment; We shall promote agro-processing industries; We shall seek legislation establishing the Export and Import Promotion Bank of Rwanda. Environmental Protection: We shall promote rain water harvesting and seek legislation that obliges all buildings to tap rain water; We shall promote sustainable mining practices and seek a law that obliges miners not to pollute water bodies and ensure an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment before any mining activity; We shall promote agro-forestry policy in all farming areas as well as tree planting on hillsides and fight soli-erosion through progressive terracing; We shall seek legislation that ensures climate change mitigation and adaptation. Agriculture and Animal husbandry: We shall seek legislation that ensures food security and food safety this will protect the country against food scarcity and hunger as well as guard us from genetically modified foods and other health-hazards; We shall develop water irrigation system and rain water harvesting in the Rwandan drylands and ensure agricultural production even during dry seasons; We shall seek legislation that deploys agronomist at the village level; We shall seek legislation that establishes Rwanda Agricultural Support Fund which will help farmers to access low interest credits and guarantees; We shall work towards establishing an institution aimed at fighting famine and hunger, known as ‘Feed Rwanda Institute’. The full political program with all details will be published on the party website and shared to the public before the campaign period. What we have highlighted above are just a few key points on some of the issues. Done at Kigali, 25th June 2018 Dr.Frank Habineza Party President
Ku nshuro ya mbere Ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera Ibidukikije, ‘Democratic Green Party’, rigiye kwitabira amatora y’abadepite mu muhigo udasanzwe wo kwegukana imyanya irenze 10 mu Nteko Ishinga Amategeko. Perezida w’iri shyaka ryashinzwe mu 2009, Dr Frank Habineza, yabwiye IGIHE ko bageze kure bitegura amatora, aho kuri uyu wa Gatanu basoje gahunda yo gutora abazarihagararira. Yagize ati “Imyiteguro igeze kure, kuva mu kwa cumi umwaka ushize twatangiye kuzenguraka igihugu dukoresha inama mu turere, bitoramo abazabahagarira mu matora y’abadepite, umugabo n’umugore.” Yongeraho ko iri shyaka ryongeye gusuzuma manifesto yaryo rizakoresha mu kwiyamamaza, ikazatangazwa muri kongere izaba kuwa 23 Kamena 2018, ari nabwo hazemezwa abakandida bazajya kuri lisiti ntakuka izashyikirizwa Komisiyo y’Amatora. Ishyaka Green Party rirateganya nibura abakandida 60 ariko bizaterwa n’ababonye ibyangombwa bisabwa n’amategeko nk’icyemezo cy’uko batigeze bakatirwa n’inkiko igifungo kingana cyangwa kirengeje amezi atandatu. Dr Habineza avuga ko bafite icyizere cyo kwegukana intebe zingana na 20 % mu Nteko Ishinga Amategeko, Umutwe w’Abadepite. Yagize ati “Nibura 20 %, ni ukuvuga nibura abadepite barenze 10. Twabonye ubunararibonye nyuma yo kwitabira amatora ya Perezida wa Repubulika kandi ariya yari agoye cyane kubera ko twari duhanganye n’amashyaka icyenda, ubu ntabwo ariko bizaba bimeze.” Avuga kandi ko abaturage bazabagirira icyizere bitewe n’intego bafite zo guhangana n’ikibazo cy’ubukene, akarengane, ubutabera bwiza kuri buri wese, guhangana n’ibibazo biterwa n’ihindagurika ry’ikirere no kwangiza ibidukikije. Ishyaka Green Party mu matora ya Perezida wa Repubulika yabaye umwaka ushize ryakunze kugaragaza ikibazo cy’ingengo y’imari, byatumye rinasaba inguzanyo muri banki kugira ngo agende neza. Kuri iyi nshuro ngo nta gihari kuko abarwanashyaka bamaze iminsi bakusanya imisanzu. Dr Habineza wiyamamarije kuyobora u Rwanda mu matora yo muri Kanama 2017 akabona amajwi 0.48, ari mu bakandida bazaba bari ku rutonde Green Party izatanga. Amatora y’abadepite ateganyijwe mu Rwanda ku wa 3 Nzeri 2018, mu gihe Abanyarwanda baba muri Diaspora bazatorera kuri za Ambasade n’ahandi hateganyijwe ku wa 2 Nzeri uyu mwaka. Source: http://www.igihe.com/politiki/amakuru/article/green-party-irashaka-intebe-zirenze-10-mu-nteko-ishinga-amategeko
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) is looking at coming up with a “strong manifesto” before embarking on a vigorous campaign to secure at least 20 per cent of parliamentary seats in the September polls, party officials have said. The party president, Frank Habineza, who also ran in last year’s presidential elections has exclusively told The New Times that they are ready to submit their list of candidates, adding that they are looking to fielding up to 60 members in the campaign. “The party has been preparing for these elections since October last year. We started with conducting meetings at the district level and have already elected two candidates, both female and male, from each district,” he said in an interview, adding that the process was concluded in May Habineza who said that he is also on the list of candidates to run on the Green Party ticket, said that final list of candidates will be approved by the national party congress scheduled on June 23. “We shall also approve our new manifesto at the congress,” he added. High hopes He said the party will ensure that candidates have all that is required by the national electoral law such as presenting a certificate of criminal record, among others, before the congress approves them. Habineza contested in last year’s presidential elections, during which he polled 0.47 per cent, making him the last among the three candidates who contested. President Paul Kagame, who was fielded by a coalition led by Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) won the elections by 98.63 per cent, followed by Phillippe Mpayimana at 0.73 per cent. Mpayimana has also expressed the desire to vie for a seat in parliament as an independent. Habineza said he is optimistic that this time round the party will secure more seats. “We have hope that we cannot fail to get at least 20% of the national vote,” he said. “The parliamentary elections are different because it won’t be one party against nine but each party fighting for a seat. Of course we wait to see how many will be in the RPF coalition but our chances this time around are higher than last year’s presidential elections,” he noted. The Green Party was created in August 2009 with its founders saying they were entering the political scene to bring about “genuine and authentic” political opposition in the country. There are 80 legislators constituting the Lower House. Others are 24 women who are elected to represent different provinces and the City of Kigali through the National Women Council. Of these, six women legislators are elected each from Southern, Western and Eastern provinces. Northern Province is represented by four women while the City of Kigali gets two. Other colleges are the youth, who, through the National Youth Council, are represented by two candidates while the People with Disabilities have one legislator representing them. Source: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/parliamentary-polls-green-party-targets-20-seats
The African Greens Federation joins the rest of the world in cerebrating today’s World Environment. This is a very important day in our lives particularly to us as important proponents of the environmental preservation. To us the Greens Family and the rest of the World, this is a day when we look back to history and evaluate the progress that we have taken as actors in making the world clean. World Environmental Day is celebrated every year on 5 June and it is also a day where we mirror ourselves on the journey we have travelled in making the world a clean and habitable place. Our theme this year focuses on the rejection of single use of plastics where together, we can chart a path into cleaner and greener world. As both inhabitants and moulders of our environment we all remain with a collective responsibility from our homes, our communities and the rest of the world as role models of a cleaner world. The celebration of this very important event provides us with an opportunity not only to be self-actors but also as teachers in educating our friends and relatives in making the world in clean environment. The 2018 Theme calls on all of us to ‘Beat the Plastic Pollution’ because plastics have been and continue to be one of the greatest pollutants in our countries. As we join the rest of the World let us consider how we can make positive changes in our efforts to reduce the burden of plastic pollution to our natural places and our own areas and thus reducing the effects to nature and to the areas we live. Let us find means to reduce the use of plastics. Let us also consider the consequences of unplanned and unhygienic plastic disposal. As we join the World in this commemoration let us be on the forefront of different environmental initiatives in our countries. Together we can make the world clean and habitable. Tapiwa Chengeta Secretary for Communication African Greens Federation
Du 10 au 12 mai 2018, s’est tenu dans la salle de réunion de l’Hôtel RELAX à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), le 4ème congrès de la Fédération des Verts d’Afrique sous le thème : « Politique verte pour une Afrique Durable ». Au cours de leurs travaux, les congressistes venus de l’Algérie, du Burkina-Faso, du Burundi, du Congo Brazzaville, de la République Démocratique du Congo, du Tchad, de l’Egypte, de la Côte d’Ivoire, du Kenya, de Madagascar, du Mali, du Maroc, du Niger, du Rwanda, du Sénégal, du Togo, de l’Ouganda, de la Zambie et du Zimbabwe ont traité de toutes les questions intéressant la vie de la Fédération allant de l’admission de nouveaux membres au renouvellement des instances de celle-ci. Il faut noter que l’Iles Maurice a été invité au congrès mais les représentant n’a pu effectuer le déplacement du à des problèmes rencontrés à l’aéroport. La cérémonie d’ouverture riche en interventions a été l’occasion solennelle d’écouter les messages de bienvenue allant du message de bienvenue du Président du Rassemblement des Ecologistes du Burkina Faso (RDEBF), en passant par les mots du Secrétaire Général de la FeVA, du Président de Green Forum, du Vice-président des Verts Mondiaux, du Chef de file de l’Opposition politique Burkinabè et de ceux du Représentant de la Majorité au pouvoir au Burkina Faso, et finalement le mot d’ouverture du Président de la Fédération des Verts d’Afrique (FeVA). Après donc l’admission des nouveaux membres, et les décisions concernant les membres qui ne sont pas à jour, les congressistes ont écouté, débattu et approuvé plusieurs rapports et communications notamment, le rapport général d’activités, le rapport financier, les rapports d’audit interne et externe et le programme futur avec la Fondation Green Forum. Les travaux se sont ensuite poursuivis avec les amendements aux textes de la Fédération (Statuts et règlement intérieur ainsi que le manuel de procédures financières) et leur adoption. Après avoir écouté une communication du représentant africain à l’instance des Jeunes Verts mondiaux (Global Young Greens), les congressistes ont procédé au renouvellement des instances de la Fédération ainsi composées comme suit : 1. Conseil Exécutif de la FEVA Bureau Exécutif. Président : Adamou GARBA (NIGER) 1ère Vice-présidente : Madame Robinah NANYUNJA (OUGANDA) 2ème Vice-président : Mohamed AWAD (EGYPTE) Secrétaire Général : Adama SERE (BURKINA FASO) Trésorier : Badono DAIGOU (TCHAD) Secrétaire à la communication : Tapiwa CHENGETA (ZIMBABWE) Représentants Régionaux Confirmés au Conseil Exécutif : Dr.Mohamed Fares du Maroc, représentant l Afrique du Nord Mme Fadimata Bintou Toure du Mali, représentant l Afrique de l Ouest M. Thomas Kentos Bakyayita d Ouganda, représentant l Afrique de l Est M. Sylvio Michel de Maurice, représentant l Afrique australe M. Didas Pembe du Congo-Kinshasa (RDC), représentant l Afrique centrale 2. Représentants de la FeVA au sein de la Coordination des Verts Mondiaux (Global Greens Coordination) Titulaires Adamou Garba du Niger Frank Habineza du Rwanda Anne Marie Bihirabake du Burundi Suppléants Daniel Sichilongo de la Zambie Fatoumata Boussim du Burkina Faso Martin Ogindo du Kenya 3. Commission d’Ethique 1. Président : Napo Nissao du Togo 2. Vice-Président : Thomas Kentos Bakyayita de l’Ouganda 3. Secrétaire : Clement Tafeni de la Zambie 4. Membre : Ali Amara de l’Algérie 5. Membre : Younous Madzengue du Congo Brazzaville 4. Commissaire aux comptes : Alassane Touré du Mali Au-delà de ses instances, le congrès a aussi coopté des membres sur la base de leurs compétences pour la gestion quotidienne de la Fédération à travers un Secrétariat permanent dirigé par un Directeur exécutif. Il est composé comme suit : 5. Secrétariat permanent Directeur exécutif : Frank Habineza du RWANDA Secrétaire exécutive : Fatoumata Boussim du Burkina Faso Secrétaire comptable : Aida SORE du Burkina Faso Après l’adoption d’une motion de remerciement au Gouvernement Burkinabé, au peuple Burkinabé, aux leaders, militants et sympathisants du RDEBF, les travaux ont pris fin sur une note de satisfaction générale. Le 5ème Congrès des Verts d’Afrique se tiendra en République Démocratique du Congo en Mai 2022. Fait à Ouagadougou le 12 mai 2018 Le Secrétaire Général Adama SERE