Après plusieurs années de lutte, les écologistes et verts d’Afrique sont reconnus sous la dénomination « Fédération des Verts d’Afrique » en abrégée FEVA. La structure continentale a désormais son siège implanté à Ouagadougou au Burkina Faso. Le quartier général de cette union et son bureau exécutif présidé par le Rwandais Frank HABINEZA a été présenté à la presse le 21 juillet. Les faits remontent en avril 2010 à Kampala en Ouganda où s’était tenu le congrès constitutif de la Fédération des Verts d’Afrique (FEVA). Deux ans après, le 29 juin 2012, le rassemblement des Verts en Afrique obtient sa reconnaissance officielle auprès des autorités du Burkina, pays qui abrite dorénavant son siège. Avec ce siège permanant géré par le secrétariat exécutif dirigé par Fatoumata BOUSSIM, la FEVA est devenue opérationnelle en tout temps. La FEVA est un groupement des Verts et Ecologistes de 30 Etats d’Afrique. Elle a pour objectif principal de hisser les partis verts d’Afrique aux pouvoirs afin de « favoriser l’intégration des principes et valeurs des Verts sur le continent » a insisté le président de la FEVA, le Rwandais Frank HABINEZA. D’un budget triennal de 450 000 000 de FCFA d’aide suédoise, la FEVA compte promouvoir le droit des minorités tout en œuvrant pour la réconciliation des peuples d’Afrique. Bien que naissante, la fédération a déjà engrangé des acquis quant à la représentation de ses membres dans les différents gouvernements et assemblées africains. Chose qui encourage le président des Vert du Burkina, Ram OUEDRAOGO à parler « du printemps des Verts ». Dramane GUENE Radio Télévision du Burkina http://www.rtb.bf/infos/politique/article/federation-des-verts-d-afrique
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, calls upon Rwandan authorities to re-open investigations into the death of its Ex-Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, who disappeared on 13th July 2010 and found decapitated the next day. Today, marks two years, after that gruesome murder and the perpetrators of that crime have not yet been brought to justice. The National Public Prosecution Authority announced in October 2011, that, they did not have enough evidence to pursue the case and thus decided to file it. The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki moon, the European Union, the Government of France, the Government of Canada, among others, requested the Rwandan authorities to expedite investigations. We are still waiting. Issued on 13th July 2012 Frank HABINEZA Founding President Democratic Green Party of Rwanda For immediate contact: Phone (Sweden): +46737588927 Email: fhabineza@africangreens.org
African Greens Federation is now Legally Registered I have a great pleasure to announce the official registration of the African Greens Federation ( AGF)/ La Federation des Verts Africains ( FEVA), which was done yesterday, the, 29th of June 2012 in, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. We are grateful to our First Vice President, Mr.Adama Sere, who has worked tirelessly to make this registration process a success, thanks also goes to our host-party leadership, (Rassemblement Des Ecologistes du Burkina Faso) and it s President, Mr.Ram Ouedraogo. This is a great step forward. We shall achieve much more. Congratulations to all the entire AGF membership. Frank Habineza AGF-FEVA, President
International Green delegates from 70 countries met in Dakar, Senegal, 29th March 1st April, for the first ever Global Green Congress held in Africa (www.dakar2012.org) and tackled issues such as solidarity, democracy, biodiversity, climate change, and the future of the Global Greens parties. This Global Greens gathering was preceded by the 2nd African Greens Congress on 28th and 29th March 2012, which was supported by Green Forum Sweden and the 3rd Global Young Greens Congress, from 27th-29th March 2012. Global Greens condemned the military coup-d’état that took place on 22 March 2012 in Mali and called for the protection and restoration of the national constitution of 25th February 1992. The immediate and unconditional release of all political and military prisoners, respect of all civil liberties and the organisation of free and transparent elections. Greens also condemned the political discrimination against women in the Arab world. They committed themselves to intervene effectively to support the legalisation of Green Parties that have not been officially registered in their home countries. The special focus was put on Rwanda and Senator Bob Brown, Leader of Australian Greens, promised to visit Kigali soon. Greens also agreed to the implementation of transitional justice in order to achieve national reconciliation and ensure democratic governance in post conflict countries. Sweden will continue to support democratic governance in Africa and the rest of the world. The Swedish Green Forum and Green Party stand for peace and we shall continue to be an agent of change , said Eva Goës, Chairperson of Green Forum Sweden and Europe Vice Coordinator, Global Greens. Africa has proved itself as an engine for change that is both sustainable and green, this has been made clear by the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The continent is ready for democracy and sustainable development said Frank Habineza, founder and chairman of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and president of the African Green Federation. Contact details: Phone (Sweden): +46737588927Email: fhabineza@africangreens.org
Frank Habineza President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and winner of Sweden s Democracy Prize on Democracy Struggle in the recent Commonwealth member Rwanda.
The President of African Greens Federation, Frank Habineza, warmly welcomes you all to the 3rd Global Greens Congress in Senegal. This will be the first one to be held in Africa. Other details can be found from: www.dakar2012.org, www.africangreens.org and www.globalgreens.org
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has learned with great sadness the news of the deaths and causalities of the recent grenade attack in Kigali on 3rd January 2012. We are very shocked that this is the second grenade attack falling near our party offices in Remera-Kigali. The last one was thrown just 100 metres away and this recent one has also been close. Several of our members in Remera-Kimironko, which also happens to be the home area of the Party President, Frank Habineza, are now living in great fear. This is also coupled with some people who have threatened to rape and decapitate some of our members, who have braved to re-open our party offices. We would like to deliver our message of condolences to all those injured and all the families that have lost their loved ones. We request all our members and supporters to remain vigilant. Let s pull ourselves together and be able to overcome. We call upon President Kagame and all the Rwandan security agencies to help end these security threats as soon as possible. It is the primary role of the state to ensure security of its citizens ; we cannot afford having more Rwandans die from such things that could be prevented. There is no way, the country will move forward if the perpetrators of such cowardly acts are not brought to justice. We would also like to once again call for the re-opening up of the investigation into the gruesome murder of our Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, who was decapitated on 14th July 2010.
Friends of Rwandan Greens (FoRG) express their disappointment that CHOGM ruled out the recommendation of the Eminent Persons Group to set up a Human Rights Commissioner. We are saddened that despite the almost unanimous support of the Commonwealth civil society and particular nations – including Australia – CHOGM could not reach consensus to appoint a Human Rights Commissioner, said Frank Habineza, President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. It appears that despite the grandiose statements from member nations about their commitment to the Commonwealth principles they still have much to hide said Mr Habineza. We commend CHOGM for committing to strengthen the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). CMAG is a critical body in the Commonwealth as it is empowered to take action if member groups fail to meet the principles of the Commonwealth. We look forward to seeing greater detail on this proposal and hope that there aren t hidden devils that allow for too many loopholes, said Mr Habineza. Back in 2009 Commonwealth members like Australia said that granting Rwanda membership would help to entrench the rule of law and support democracy. FoRG is now calling on Australia to come good on this assurance and use its influence as Chair of the Commonwealth to bring about the broad commitments made by CHOGM in Perth this year – otherwise Australia will only be remembered for leading a Commonwealth of nations into further disrepute and irrelevance, said Amy Tyler, Spokesperson for Friends of Rwandan Greens. The Rwandan people deserve democracy and the Commonwealth can help deliver this with their commitment to technical and electoral support as well as through the strengthening of CMAG, said Ms Tyler. FoRG looks forward to future meetings with representatives from the Australian government as well as the Commonwealth to ensure that Rwanda s membership in the Commonwealth is not used as a public relations cover for the Rwandan Government while they engage in extremely undemocratic behaviour at home, said Ms Tyler. For further details, please contact : Amy Tyler, Spokesperson, Friends of Rwandan Greens Tel : +61 400 550 140, Email : 22tyler@gmail.com
The President of the Opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza has travelled to Australia to share with the Commonwealth family what is happening in Rwanda, because in his own country he cannot speak out. Mr Habineza s Party Vice-President was murdered in suspicious circumstances before the 2010 election. For Rwanda s sake, the Heads of State must support the Eminent Persons Group recommendations this weekend to ensure that the Commonwealth can speak out when its values are violated in Rwanda, said Frank Habineza, President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. After two days of participation in workshops at the Commonwealth Peoples Forum, I can confidently say that if the recommendations from the Eminent Persons Group are not implemented then neither Australia nor any other Commonwealth nation will be able to ensure democracy and human rights in Rwanda, said Mr Habineza. Without reform the Commonwealth will loose the respect of the community if it just watches rogue member governments oppress their people. People will only stay engaged in the Commonwealth if they see it taking credible action when members are undemocratic – and this means reforms have to occur to the way the Commonwealth does business Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 despite serious concerns being expressed about intimidation of opposition parties and the independent media. Since joining the Commonwealth the oppression and violence against opposition and media has got worse not better ! said Mr Habineza. Back in 2009 Commonwealth members like Australia said that granting Rwanda membership would help to entrench the rule of law and support democracy. But without reforms to the way the Commonwealth acts, it will not be able to deliver on this promise and the Rwandan Government s practises will bring down the reputation of the Commonwealth. said Amy Tyler, Spokesperson for Friends of Rwandan Greens. The Rwandan people deserve democracy and a free media and the Commonwealth can help deliver this, if the Heads of State agree to the core recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group, including the reform of the Ministerial Action Group and the appointment of an independent human rights commissioner, The Commonwealth must acknowledge the responsibility that they have assumed by accepting Rwanda into the Commonwealth family. I am very concerned that the Commonwealth membership is being used as a public relations cover for the Rwandan Government while they engage in extremely undemocratic behaviour at home. said Ms Tyler.
Australia and other Commonwealth Governments naively believed admission to the Commonwealth would support Rwanda s path to democracy, but human rights abuses have continued and worsened, President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza, and Australian Greens Leader, Bob Brown, warned today. The Commonwealth should take action or risk Rwanda becoming another Zimbabwe. Without swift action, the calls will become louder to suspend the Commonwealth s newest member, Senator Brown said. The entry of Rwanda into the Commonwealth in 2009 was allowed despite suspicions of political abuses being undertaken by the Government. A coalition of Greens in Commonwealth nations, including Senator Brown, warned against Rwanda being admitted without conditions being placed on its entry, Mr Habineza said. The 2010 Presidential elections saw the Kagame government becoming increasingly intolerant towards the central role that opposition parties and a free media have in robust democracies, Mr Habineza said. Senator Brown and Mr Habineza call on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to undertake the following steps in the next 12 months : • Fund the provision of ballot box seals which are uniquely numbered or identifiable, to ensure security seals are a security feature for the next Chamber of Deputies election in Rwanda in 2013 ; • Provide observers to oversee the registration of opposition political parties in the six month leading up to the next election, and advise if there have been irregularities in this process ; • Request the Government to re-open the investigation into the death of the Green Party Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka which occurred on 14 July 2010 ; • Seek input from civil society organisations like Friends of Rwandan Greens ; and, • Pressure the Rwandan Government to release political prisoners and jailed journalists, and letting the independent media operate freely. Around the globe Green MPs will be watching to ensure the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is taking active steps to improve democracy in Rwanda, Senator Brown said. Concerns have already been expressed by Human Rights Watch, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Amnesty International and also the Commonwealth Observer Group that democracy in Rwanda is being undermined. �Nothing else in the world not all the armies is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.�Victor Hugo.
