Novembre 2014

lundi 24 novembre 2014

The Political Bureau of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, met on 22nd November 2014 and took an official stand on the proposed request regarding the lifting of the presidential term limits from the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. After serious analysis of the proposed request by the political bureau, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda wishes to inform members of the media and the general public, that it does not support the proposed change as well as an advancement of this request to the parliament and a subsequent referendum on lifting of presidential term limits. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, believes that respect of the current two term limits of seven years each, is more than enough for a leader to implement his/her manifesto. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is fully convinced that it’s important to respect the constitution in order to allow a peaceful transfer of power and implement the principal of rule of law. The request was launched by the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), Parti Sociale-Imberakuri (PS Imberakuri) and the Party for Solidarity and Progress (PSP). Done at Kigali on 24th November 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

lundi 24 novembre 2014

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform members of the media and the general public that it successfully conducted a leadership and Environmental Management Training for the members of the Political Bureau on 22nd November 2014. The training focused on the roles of party members in environmental protection, analysis of the environmental protection law and the party commitments on environmental protection as outlined in the Party’s political program. Party leaders also had a chance to be refreshed on the party’s ideology. Democracy Promotion was emphasised as the party’s first priority and the term ‘Green’ as not standing just for environmental protection but rather for an ideology that has six pillars, including: social justice, non-violence, sustainable development, respect for diversity and the promotion of human rights. Members of the Political bureau were also trained on issues concerning gender and the role of women in decision making, political leadership, conflict management and the general principals of politics. These types of trainings empower party leaders with necessary skills and knowledge that helps in the decision making process and democracy building. This training was supported by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR’s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 24th November 2014 NTEZIMANA Jean Claude Secretary General, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

mercredi 19 novembre 2014

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform members of the media and the general public that it has successfully finalised leadership trainings for party members in both Kirehe and Muhanga Districts. The trainings were conducted between 8th-16th November 2014, with support from the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda. The trainings focused on the following themes: Political ideology and general principals of politics Political leadership and political conflict management Political competition: elections, rules and regulations during electoral campaigns Responsibilities, structures and strategies of political parties in a democracy Partnerships between private sector and the Government in development and young entrepreneurship Gender and the role of women in decision making towards economic development DGPR also managed to establish District Executive Committees in the above mentioned two districts. Previous trainings and party structural establishments were conducted in Rubavu District, Musanze District, Huye District, Bugesera District. Provincial women structures were established in the Eastern Province, Western Province, Northern Province and Southern Province. This took place between May-June 2014. These are important milestones after the official registration of the party last year in August. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 9th November 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

lundi 17 novembre 2014

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s President, Dr.Frank HABINEZA, participated in the US Government’s International Visitor Leadership Program: Young African Leaders: Grassroots Democracy and Midterm Elections (October 20th –November 7th 2014), where he was able to learn many lessons which will be helpful in democracy strengthening and nation building in the Republic of Rwanda. During this program, DGPR’s Chairman was able to fully understand in practical terms the independent functioning of different Government institutions and the principle of separation of powers in the United States of America. It was clear and evident that different US Institutions are indeed stronger than big personalities. The gridlock in the US Senate and the House of Representatives, where both the Republicans and the Democrats agreed to disagree and where the White House could not intervene to prove its might was a clear indication of the separation of powers and respect for State institutions. The consequent outcome of the midterm elections also proved that the American people wanted both the White House and the US Congress, to reach out to each other and enable Government fulfil its duties to the citizens. Election transparency and the electronic voting machines make it difficult for those who would wish to falsify the electoral results and consequently rig elections. This transparence accompanied with the necessary technology helps in building voters confidence in the National Electoral Commission and allows losers to accept defeat. It even makes it possible for the incumbent party to lose an election to the opposition, something which we still have to encourage much more in Africa. This was indeed a key lesson learnt and worth encouraging for our country and other African states to emulate, even though the political terrain is different. The freedom exercised by different media organizations, especially in the political campaigns and the respect accorded to the fourth estate by different Government Institutions, is something worth great encouragement in the democracy building and strengthening in the Republic of Rwanda and in Africa at large. DGPR will continue to encourage Rwanda’s different state institutions to strengthen and uphold the principal of separation of powers and respect to media freedoms, in our journey of building a strong democratic state. DGPR, takes on this opportunity to acknowledge the great efforts undertaken by the US State Department, US Embassy in Kigali, Meridian International Center, World Affairs Council, Global Ties, International Focus and all other different partners in the successful implementation of this International Visitor Leadership Program for Young African Leaders. Brief Background: This program was organized by the US’s State Department in collaboration with different stake holders. It was conducted in Washington DC, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas and North Carolina, between October 20th – 7th November 2014. It brought together seven Young African Leaders from Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, South Sudan, Swaziland and DRC. It aimed at examining the democratic form of government in the United States and the significance of citizens’ participation in the democratic process. The delegates were able to observe several activities of citizen action groups and how they interact with American elected officials at the municipal, local, state and federal levels to influence political, social, and economic change as well as to promote transparency and accountability at all levels of society. They were also able to examine the diversity of views held by Americans and how this multiplicity contributes to a dynamic and resilient political system that includes free, fair and open elections. - End For more information, please contact: Email: info@rwandagreendemocrats.org Phone: + 250 788 563 039