The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, takes on this opportunity to thank all party members and all well-wishers for the great accomplishments actualized during 2016. We look forward to greater achievements in 2017. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda established more structures on district level in different provinces and consolidated its membership base throughout the country. DGPR currently has party structures in 18 out of 30 districts in Rwanda. The party plans to cover all the remaining districts by August 2017. In preparations for the upcoming August 2017 Presidential elections, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, submitted a petition to the Rwandan Parliament on 10th February 2016, calling for revisions in the national election laws and the political parties Act. The following demands were made: Enactment of a law prohibiting all elected officials holding public offices from becoming Chairpersons of political organizations at provincial, district, sector and other local levels of administration. A revision on the law governing independent candidates, so that an independent candidate is not judged on the same 5 percent threshold as political parties. The new proposed threshold for independent candidates be not more than 2 percent. A revision of political parties’ election threshold for entering the Rwandan parliament from 5 percent to 4 percent. Introduction of an electronic voting system that equally uses ballot papers and the use of ICT in the electoral process. Granting media organizations authority to immediately announce election results after being declared by poll officials at different polling stations and tallying centers. Allowing election observers to monitor elections in all polling and tallying centers at Village, Cell, Sector and District levels. This would promote more transparency and trust in the National Electoral Commission. Representation of all registered Political Parties in the National Electoral Commission, this would allow DGPR to be represented in the electoral commission, in the same way other parties are represented. Revision of the electoral law to enable political parties, receive campaign support from the state in advance, instead of being reimbursed after winning the elections. Revision of political parties’ law of 12/07/2013, especially in its article 24, where it prohibits political parties to accept donations from foreign organizations and instead, set up conditions for declaring the source of funding and provision of reports to the concerned Government bodies. Government Response On 10th March 2016, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, met with DGPR leaders and advised them to either find an MP to table the demands in the Parliament or request the cabinet to do so. DGPR later, submitted the same petition to the Prime Minister of Rwanda on 19th April 2016, in order for the cabinet to forward these reforms to Parliament. On 31st August 2016, DGPR received a response from Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the authority in charge of political organisations and classified the demands as individual opinions without substantive evidence to change the policy. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, took another step forward and submitted a request to the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 23rd September, for consultations on political reforms and campaign financing. On 29th September 2016, the Political Parties Forum, responded unfavourably. This sealed off all hope for political and electoral reforms before the upcoming elections. The requested reforms were meant for strengthening democracy and allowing all political parties to have a level playing field before the August 2017 Presidential elections. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda did not lose focus and morale, it went ahead and confirmed its participation in the upcoming presidential elections by nominating a presidential candidate on 17th December 2016. Call for action on pending dossiers: The Party’s Ex-National Organising Secretary, Jean Damascene MUNYESHYAKA, who went missing on 27th June 2014 in Nyamata town, Bugesera District, has neither been seen alive or dead. DGPR requested the National Public Prosecution Authority on 20th October 2015, to take over the dossier from the National Police but until now, no response has been received. We call upon all the concerned authorities to finalise those investigations and let the public know whether, Mr. Jean Damascene Munyeshyaka is still alive or already dead. The dossier of our former First Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, who was gruesomely murdered in July 2010, has not been finalised. We call upon all concerned authorities to expedite those investigations and bring the culprits to justice. Looking ahead to 2017. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, has started preparations for the August 2017 presidential elections. We know this is a very big responsibility and would like to call upon all concerned authorities to ensure security and a peaceful atmosphere before, during the presidential campaigns and after the elections. On behalf of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, we wish to thank you all for supporting the democracy cause in Rwanda. Please accept our best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful holiday season and a very prosperous new year. Done on 31st December 2016 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The African Greens Federation wishes to thank all its members and partners for the great achievements realized during 2016 and looks forward to greater accomplishments in 2017. During 2016, AGF strengthened and consolidated its regional structures by conducting several capacity building workshops and congresses in all the different five African regions. With support from Green Forum Sweden, AGF strengthened the: North African Greens Federation (NAGF), Central African Greens Federation and Southern Africa Greens Federation. The achievements attained were as follows: Elections and environmental training workshop for the North African Greens Federation, held in Rabat/Morocco in February 2016. This training brought together parties from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. The NAGF President had an opportunity to meet with the leader of Green Left Party in Morocco and later recommended their admission into the African Greens Federation. Elections and campaigns training for the Central African Greens Federation, held in N’Djamena/Chad, between 23rd and 24th July. This training brought together parties from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic, Chad and the Republic of Congo. North African Greens Federation training on climate change in Algeria from, 28th July- 2nd August. The training brought together parties from Tunisia, Morocco (Green Left), Algeria and AGF representatives from Burkina Faso and Niger. This meeting was also attended by the Global Greens Secretary. AGF equally supported the Southern Africa Greens Federation training on elections and campaigns which was held in Mauritius from the 11th- 13th August 2016. This training was attended by parties from Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Mauritius. AGF President also attended this meeting. A regional congress was held at the end of the training and a new executive committee was elected, led by Mr.Sylvio Michel, leader of Mauritius Greens. Green Forum also supported AGF’s administrative activities which included: the organizational audit for the Secretariat accounts for 2015, maintenance of the continental Secretariat in Burkina Faso, Monitoring and Evaluation activities. AGF signed a new cooperation agreement in March 2016 with Groen Party from Belgium, the new partnership is aimed at supporting the West African Greens Federation. With support from Groen/Belgium, AGF conducted a regional training on elections and campaigns for the West African Greens Federation in Mali, from 27th-29th May 2016. The training brought together Green Parties from: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ivory Coast, Niger and Mali-the host country. The leader of Green Left-Morocco and AGF president were also present. AGF also organized an African Greens Academy and congress in Niamey, Niger from 15th -18th December 2016 for the West African Greens Federation. Participants came from: Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Niger, Mali and Ivory Coast. The congress elected new office bearers led by Ms.Fadimata Bintu Toure from Mali. AGF signed another cooperation agreement in 2016, with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy-UK in partnership with the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW), aimed at supporting the East African Greens Federation. With support from Westminster Foundation and GPEW, AGF organized a regional media training workshop in Nairobi Kenya, in February 2016. A regional meeting was held after this training and an action plan for the East African region was adopted. This meeting brought together Parties from Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. The facilitators were from the Green Party of England and Wales. The East African Greens federation also organized a training on elections and campaigns in Kigali, Rwanda, from 13th-14th December 2016. After the training, a congress was held and new executive committee members were elected. The new committee is led by Mr.Thomas Kentos Bakyayita from Uganda. The facilitator was a well-known Rwandan University don and writer in the regional newspaper: The East African. AGF equally organized the first East African Women Greens training workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, from 15th -16th December 2016. Members elected a Women Greens committee for East Africa and its led by Ms.Dorothy Nalubega from Uganda. The facilitator came from Finland. WAY FORWARD AGF accomplished a lot during 2016, but a lot more is still desired in 2017. Several member parties still face a challenge of competing fairly with traditional parties during elections. It’s imperative that we support them in any way we can, so that, the Green Ideology could have a chance of getting integrated into national policies and programs on the African continent. On behalf of the African Greens Federation, we wish to thank you all for supporting the growth of the Green Movement in Africa and wish you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year 2017, may it be a year of greater realizations. Dr.Frank HABINEZA President, African Greens Federation
The Eastern Africa Greens Federation successfully trained member parties on elections and campaigns and held a women training workshop in Kigali, Rwanda from 13th to 16th 2016. These events were hosted by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. Most participants confessed that the training was very relevant and greatly enhanced their skills in campaigning and elections winning. EAGF also had an ordinary congress, which immediately took place after the training. The congress approved new members: Afro-greens Party of Kenya and Burundi Green Movement. Elections for the new executive committee were conducted democratically by use of the secret ballot and the results are as follows: President: Mr.Thomas Kentos Bakyayita from Uganda Vice President: Ms.Anna Marie Bihirabake from Burundi Secretary General, Mr, Alexis Mugisha from Rwanda Treasurer: Mr.Josphat Mugo from Kenya Women Secretary: Ms. Dorothy Nalubega from Uganda Youth Secetary, Mr.Amso Muthiuru from Kenya Comunication Secretary: Ms.Florence Mukobwajana from Rwanda Audit Commisoner: Ms.Carine Maombi from Rwanda Audit Commisioner: Ms.Mynah Kendi Mutegi from Kenya The training for women took place on 15-16 December. The training was participatory in nature. All the deliverables were achieved including election of EAGF Women Network Committee. Chairperson: Ms.Dorothy Nalubega from Uganda Vice Chair: Ms.Aimme Byiringiro from Rwanda Secretary: Ms.Katuura Sharon from Uganda Treasurer: Ms. Gilbert Mpenduburundi from Burundi Communication Secretary: Ms.Esther Merinyo from Kenya By: Nathan Makuregye Executive Director East African Greens Federation
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s political bureau, today, 17th December 2016, nominated Dr.Frank Habineza, the party leader as its flag bearer in the upcoming presidential elections planned for 3rd and 4th August 2017. This decision was arrived at after numerous deliberations within the party’s political bureau, commenced on 5th March 2016. The official confirmation of the presidential candidate will be done by the party’s congress, which will be organised before end of March 2017. 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 its Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 17th December 2016 NTEZIMANA Jean Claude Secretary General, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Contact: +250 788 774 757
On behalf of the African Greens Federation and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, we gladly congratulate the former Austrian Greens Leader, Mr.Alexander Van der Bellen, for winning the presidential elections. His win is a wonderful source of hope for the international greens family. We wish him the best in his upcoming duties. Dr.Frank Habineza President, African Greens Federation/Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Marrakech, Morocco hosted the 22nd Conference of Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)-COP22 between 7th-18th November 2016. This conference also acted as the first session of the conference of Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1), which entered into force on 4th November. Several world leaders and state representatives recommitted themselves to the implementation of the Paris Agreement- a positive step in combating climate change. The remaining challenge though, is still the lack of an international legally binding mechanism to punish climate change defaulters. The outcomes of the Paris Agreement were great but were non-binding and therefore not an international treaty. Countries voluntarily set their national targets for carbon emissions, a serious weakness, since it’s not an obligation. Coal- the main source of human carbon emissions wasn’t properly addressed in the Paris Agreement and thus puts the planet at the mercy of the biggest polluters: Unites States, China and India, they have no legal obligation to stop doing so, it all depends on their will. More to that, there was no agreement on including Carbon tax in the Paris agreement which would have impacted transporters and power suppliers to change their decisions and start limiting their carbon emissions. The Marrakech summit was a positive step towards the implementation of the Paris agreement, world leaders recommitted themselves to take action on climate change and sustainable development, what remains to be seen are the tangible actions by individual states. A legally binding international treaty on climate change should be the ultimate target for all concerned parties in order to seriously reduce global warming and safeguard our planet. /Frank Habineza
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform its members and the general public, that it successfully established party structures in Nyabihu District in the Western Province and trained its members from 12th -20th November 2016. This process is party of the party’s efforts to establish structures in the whole country and prepare for the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Members were offered different skills in conflict management, rules and regulations regarding elections and electoral campaigns, women involvement in decision making organs, gender issues and partnerships between the private sector and Government. Nyabihu becomes the 17th district, where DGPR has established party structures. Done at Kigali on 21st November 2016 Jean Deogratias TUYISHIME Information Secretary, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda successfully finalised a leadership training for party members in Rulindo district. The training started on 22nd October and finalised on 6th November 2016. Members also elected the party district committee, which will oversee the formation of other party structures in Rulindo District. The training offered skills in management of political conflicts, rules and regulations regarding elections and electoral campaigns, women involvement in decision making organs, gender issues and partnerships between the private sector and Government. Rulindo becomes the 16th district, where DGPR has established party structures. Done at Kigali on 7th November 2016 Ntezimana Jean Claude Secretary General, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Nyuma y’amasaha make Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije mu Rwanda (DGPR), Green Party, risabye Leta y’u Rwanda ko Umugogo w’Umwami Kigeli V Ndahindurwa wazanwa mu Rwanda ukaba ari naho utabarizwa(Gushyingurwa) rivuga ko nta Mwami utabarizwa Ishyanga,Guverinoma y’u Rwanda yagaragaje ko yababajwe n’itanga ry’Umwami Kigeli V Ndahindurwa, ndetse ishimangira ko yiteguye gutanga ubufasha bwose bwa ngombwa ku bijyanye no kumutabariza(Gushyingura). Mu itangazo yashyize ahagaragara kuri uyu wa Kabiri tariki 18 Ukwakira,2016 Guverinoma y’u Rwanda ivuga ko yababajwe no kumva inkuru y’itanga rya Kigeli V Ndahindurwa wahoze ari Umwami w’u Rwanda, wirukanywe mu gihugu n’ubutegetsi bw’abakoloni b’Ababiligi tariki 2 Ukwakira 1961 ahungira mu cyahoze ari Tanganyika, nyuma aza kuba muri Uganda na Kenya aho yaje kuva mu 1992 agahungira muri Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika agatanga ku ya 16 Ukwakira 2016. Ku bijyanye no gutabariza Umwami Kigeli V Ndahindurwa iri tangazo rikomeza rigira riti: Guverinoma y’u Rwanda ntiramenyeshwa n’umuryango we ibijyanye n’imihango yo kumusezera no kumushyingura, ariko nihamenyekana uko bifuza byakorwa, Guverinoma yiteguye gutanga ubufasha bwose bwa ngombwa. Source: http://umuryango.rw/amakuru/mu-rwanda/politiki/article/leta-y-u-rwanda-yasubije-ishyaka-rya-green-party-ku-bijyanye-no-gutabariza
Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije mu Rwanda (DGPR), rirasba Leta y’u Rwanda gufasha kuzana Umugogo w’Umwami Kigeli V Ndahindurwa mu Rwanda ukaba ari naho utabarizwa mu cyubahiro nk’umuntu wigeze kuyobora igihugu, kandi akaba yaranaharaniye ubwigenge bwu Rwanda kuva m ubukoloni. Kuwa 31/05/2016 DGPR, yasabye Leta y U Rwanda korohereza Umwami gutaha mu Rwanda ariko akaba atanze bidakunze. Ishyaka DGPR ribabajwe niyo nkuru yichamugongo yo gutanga kw’Umwami Kigeli V Ndahindurwa waguye muri Leta zunze ubumwe z’America aho yari yarahungiye, rikaba ryifatanyije mu kababaro hamwe n’umuyango we ndetse n’abanyarwada bose. Bikorewe Kigali, kuwa 17/10/2016. Dr Frank HABINEZA Umuyobozi mukuru wa DGPR
