AFRICAN GREENS FEDERATION Report of the African Greens congress 15th-19th April, 2010, KAMPALA UGANDA April 15th 2010 Ugandan Greens congress : The Final result was the election of the National Executive Committee, of the already registered, Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), headed by Mr.Charles Lwanga Baale. This also marked the final implementation of the MoU signed between NAPO/National People’s Organization and UGM/ Uganda Green Movement, that established the Ecological Party of Uganda. Mr.Thomas Kentos Bakyayita from UGM, became the Party’s Secretary General. Several members from both organization and two other parties that joined EPU were co-opted on the new committee. April 16th 2010 Regional meetings for Greens from Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa as well as those from the Indian Ocean Island states were held and two regional representatives (male female) were chosen from each region. (All names are needed) April 17th 2010 Official opening ceremony began at 9.30am with a welcome speech from Mr. Charles Lwanga, chair of the Ecological party of Uganda and host of the event. He welcomed delegates to Kampala, and also informed them that the president of Uganda, his Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was expected at the opening ceremonies, but due to other state engagements was running late and at the end was unable to come. The chairman of African Greens, Mr. Frank Habineza in his opening speech outlined the struggles that made this congress a reality. He concluded by asking for a moment of silence to be observed for the Late, Ms. Mwenya Mukula from Zambia who died shortly after her return from the congress preparatory meeting in Bohicon, Republique de Benin. A tree was planted at the hotel ( J M Airport Road Hotel, Kampala, Uganda) in her memory. The Tree was named MWENYA MUKULA and Greens will always come to this hotel to remember her. The representative from the HBF- Henrich Boll Foundation (Eastern and Horn of Africa), Mr. Hezron Gikanga, gave a key note address, he talked about HBF operations in Africa, and went further to talk about the complimentary roles of Non-governmental Organisations and Green parties in Europe and hoped that the African Greens federation will encourage membership from non- political Green organizations within the continent as well. Ms. Inger Schorling, from the Green Forum Sweden brought greetings of encouragement from the Swedish Greens and was pleased to finally see this congress become a reality. Mr. Juan Behrend, a member of the European Greens, representing the Global Greens Coordination and European Green Party, in his keynote address expressed his happiness at the formal coming together of the African Greens especially since it mirrors similar occurrences across the globe in Asia, Middle East, etc. He shared the challenges being faced by the European Greens, and encouraged the federation to move on. He promised to put in a word for the honoring of Mwenya Mukula at the next Global Greens activity. The opening ceremonies came to an end with an address from Mrs. Saraha Georget Rabeharisoa from the Green party of Madagascar. During the first plenary, the name of the organization was reviewed and from the five given available, delegates chose African Greens Federation / La federation des verts Africains with AGF / FEVA as acronyms in English and French respectively. At the 2nd plenary, the constitution of the Federation was reviewed and adopted by the Assembly after several amendments. April 18th 2010 Day four began with the elections of the executive committee of the federation as well as substitutes to global Greens coordination. Dr. Idris Muslim from Nigeria was the chairman of this session assisted by Mr. Antoine Kimyonvyi from Burundi. The delegates from Kenya sought to know the criteria for voting and being voted, after explanations from the chairman, they however opted to withdraw from the process claiming to disagree with the procedures. Mr. Zitouni, delegate from the Tunisia Green party also withdrew from the process due to a misunderstanding and disagreement of the electoral procedure. The process of voting was one country ; one vote and twenty- two countries participated in the elections, East Africa Uganda Rwanda Burundi Southern Africa Zambia South Africa West Africa Senegal Burkina Faso Mali Cote D’Ivoire Niger Nigeria Togo Ghana Benin Guinea Conakry North Africa Morocco Africa in the Indian Ocean Madagascar Mauritius Central Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Angola Chad RCA/ Central Africa Republic The posts were keenly contested for by multiple candidates except for the positions of President, 1st Vice President, and Secretary General which had single candidates. At the end of voting the following were elected into the executive committee ; NAME COUNTRY POST Mr. Frank Habineza Rwanda President Mr. Sere Adama Burkina Faso 1st Vice President Ms. Saraha Georget Rabeharisoa Madagascar 2nd Vice President Mr. Papa Meisa Dieng Senegal Secretary General Mr. Charles Lwanga Uganda Treasure Mr. Badono Daigou Tchad Publicity Secretary Ms. Bihiranke Anne Marie Burundi Women Greens Coordinator Ms. Winnie Quaye Ghana Female AYG Representative Mr. Kelvin Kaunda Zambia Male AYG Representative Sub-regions also submitted the names of their representatives on the AGF Executive Board, and they are ; NAME COUNTRY SUB-REGION Ms. Jean M.V. Kantengwa Rwanda East Africa Ms. Fatima Alaoui Morocco North Africa Mr. Laurent Avit Bokonas RCA Central Africa Mr. Idrissa Djagno Niger West Africa Mr. Laurent Anpilahy Madagascar Indian Ocean States Mr. Patrick Sindanane South Africa Southern Africa Ms. Nma Emeruwah from Nigeria was elected to replace Ms. Juliana Mugure on Global Greens Coordination, while Mr. Pembe Didace of Republique Democratique du Congo was elected to fill in the newly created additional position for (Africa) on the Global Greens Coordination. Mr.Frank Habineza and Mr.Adamou Garba, were also maintained on the Global Greens Coordination. In addition to this, four more positions were provided for as agreed by the GGC in its last deliberation for each continent to have Global Green s Coordination Substitutes and an extra person for Administration, the following were elected : NAME COUNTRY Dr. Idris Muslim Nigeria (African Administrative Secretary) Mr. Gregorio Nsumbu Angola (Member) Mr. Aime Padonou Benin (Member) Mr. Mohammed Tounkara Guinea (Member) Mr. Eddy Michel from Mauritius and Mr. Luc Atundu from RDC were elected as auditors to the federation. (Commissaires aux Comptes) This election took almost a whole day and at the end it was successful. At the third plenary, the AGF rules and procedures and the African Greens Charter were adopted. Also adopted is the Climate Change stand for African Greens as had been proposed. The meeting also adopted Membership fee as 100 USD and annual subscription fee as 50 USD. During the meeting , Nigeria, Madagascar and Morocco paid up. The meeting came to an end at 1.17AM on 19th April 2010. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The next morning, the new Executive Board had a meeting, which discussed about communication strategies and future plans and a comprehensive presentation about hosting the 3rd Global Greens Congress in Africa by Mr.Juan Juan Behrend from EGP/GGC. The Executive committee also approved a motion of support for the Green Tunisia Party, led by Mr.Zitouni Abdelkader and it was signed by both the Federation President and Secretary General. Mr.Zitouni had asked for forgiveness for having moved out, he said he has been misled and he finally gave all his support to the new elected council. * Burkina Faso was proposed to host the headquarters of the Federation, since Kenya walked out. * Four countries designed by 4 African sub-regions (Senegal, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda) proposed their desire to host the next 3rd Global Greens Congress in Africa 2012 . (Two will be proposed to the appreciation of the Global Greens Organization. CONCLUSION Despite several challenges faced, the congress was a big success as it finally created the African Greens Federation, adopted the Constitution, Rules and Procedures, African Green Charter and elected a broad based committee. The revised documents will be sent out soon, with a detailed list of participants. On behalf of African Greens Federation Mr. Frank Habineza Dr.Papa Meisa Dieng President Secretary General LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AFRICAN GREENS CONGRES, 16th -18th April, 2010, KAMPALA UGANDA Venue : J M AIRPORT ROAD HOTEL Northern Africa Region 1. Morocco, Ms. Fatima Alaoui, Parti des Verts Pour le Développement du Maroc 2. Tunisia, Mr. Zitouni Abdelkader , Parti Tunisie Verte West Africa 1. Benin, Mr Aime Padonou, Benin Green Party 2. Nigeria : Nigerian Green Movement * Dr. Idris Muslim * Ms Nma Emeruwah 3. Senegal, Dr. Papa Meissa Dieng, Fédération Démocratique des Ecologistes du Sénégal (FEDES) 4. Mali, Mr. N’fa Diabate (Mayor), Mali Green Party 5. Burkinafaso : * Mr. Adama Sere, S.G, Rassemblement des Ecologistes du Burkina Faso, * Mrs TRAORE ASSETOU, Parti Ecologiste pour le Développement du Burkina 6. Guinea Conarky, Mr. Mohamed Tounkara, Guinea Green Party ( PVG) 7. Ivory Coast : Parti Ecologiste Ivoirien * Ms. Assemou Adja Edwige Nicole , 8. Togo, Mr. Adessou Kossivi, Jeunes Voluntaires pour I’Environnement ( JVE-Togo) 9. Ghana , Winnie Quaye, Ghana Green Movement 10. Niger, Mr.Idrissa Djagno, Rassemblement pour un Sahel Vert/Niger Green Party Southern Africa/Indian Ocean Islands 1. Zambia, Mr.Kelvin Kaunda, National Revolution Green Party 2. Mauritius, Mr. Eddy MICHEL, Les Verts Fraternels Mauritius 3. Madagascar, Madagascar Green Party * Ms. Saraha Georget Rabeharisoa * Mr. GEORGET Alexandre Marie, * Mr. Laurent AMPILAHY 4. Angola, Eng. Gregorio NSumbu MBala, Angola’s National Ecological Party 5. South Africa, Mr.Patrick Sindane, South African Social-Green Alliance Central Africa : 1. DRC : Parti Ecologique Congolais (PECO) * Mr. LUC ATUNDU * Mr. DIDACE PEMBE BOKIAGA (second delegate, half sponsored), 2. RCA, Mr. Laurent Avit BOKONAS, Mouvement des Verts de Centrafrique 3. Chad, Mr. Badono Daigou, Chad Green Party East Africa : 1. Kenya : Mazingira Green Party of Kenya Mr. Ngarama Karanu * Kenya Young Greens, 1. Mr. Philip Otieno 2. Mr.Gibson Amenya 3. Mr.Mohamed Nyange 4. Ms.Lilian Mutuku 5. Ms.Rachael Mutuku 6.Mr.Douglas Arege 7. Ms.Ann Bulimu (self sponsored) HBF 8. Ms. Lawrence Kabuthi (self sponsored) HBF 9. Ms.Rose Wachuka (self sponsored )HBF 2. Rwanda : Democratic Green Party of Rwanda 1. Mr. Charles Kabanda 2. Mr.Andre Rwisereka Kagwa 3. Mr. Mugisha Alexis, 4. Mr.Emanuel Murenzi, 5. Mr. Nshyimirimana Vincent 6. Ms. Jean Marie Kantengwa 7. Mr.Ntezimana Claude 8. Ms. Uwimana Jeanine 3. Uganda : Ecological Party of Uganda/Uganda Green Movement Host country : 10 delegates ( non-residents) LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE/UGANDA : 1. Mr.Chales Lwanga Baale, 2. Mr.Thomas Kentos Bakyayita 3. Mr.John Byarugaba 4. Ms.Anna Nafuna. 4. Burundi : Burundi Green Movement 1. Mr. KINYOMVYI Antoine 2. Ms.Ana Marie Bihirabake 3. Mr. Havyarimana Richard Official Translator : Ms.Jaye Allan (will come from Benin but originally from Australia and China) and will be assisted by, Mr. Patrick Adessou Kossivi from Togo. Global Greens Coordination Representatives for Africa : 1. Mr.Frank Habineza, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda GREEN FORUM SWEDEN /Swedish Green Party Ms. Inger Schorling, Heinrich Böll Foundation ( HBF) Eastern and Horn of Africa Region Mr. Hezron Gikanga ( self sponsored) HBF European Green Party/ Global Greens Coordination member Mr.Juan Behrend
Désireux de renforcer l’essor démocratique de notre pays, de faire reconnaître le droit pour nos compatriotes d’exercer pleinement leurs droits politiques, de pouvoir confronter les différents projets de société afin de porter au pouvoir le parti politique et la personnalité qui aura pu les convaincre de la pertinence et de l’efficacité de son projet, Devant les nombreux obstacles administratifs et judiciaires dressés par le pouvoir en place afin d’empêcher les partis politiques de se faire enregistrer formellement, Vu que le seul parti agréé jusqu’à ce jour, est lui freiné dans son travail politique sur le terrain et ne peut accéder ni aux populations, ni aux médias publics, Considérant qu’il faut s’assurer à ce que les élections présidentielles prévues au mois d’août 2010 se déroulent de manière démocratique et dans la plus grande transparence possible, Convaincus que seule la mise en commun de nos forces respectives est la seule susceptible de frayer l’espace politique adéquat pour l’opposition politique, Nous, représentants des formations politiques suivantes : les Forces Démocratiques unifiées INKINGI, Le Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda, Le Parti social IMBERAKURI, Avons décidé de mettre en place une plateforme commune appelée : Conseil de concertation Permanente des Partis d’opposition, « Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties » (PCC/CCP) L’objectif principal du Conseil est celui de définir des positions communes et de conduire ensemble dans cette perspective des actions de plaidoyer et de lobbying politique devant l’opinion publique nationale et internationale. Les domaines de collaboration communs sont pour le moment : 1. L’enregistrement des partis politiques ; 2. La diplomatie ; 3. Information et communication ; 4. La justice. D’autres domaines de collaboration pourront être inclus ultérieurement. Fait à Kigali, le 19 Février 2010. Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Présidente des Forces Démocratiques Unifiées Inkingi Monsieur Frank Habineza Président du Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda Me Bernard Ntaganda Président du Parti Social IMBERAKURI
FRANK HABINEZA B.P. 6334 Kigali, Tel : 078 85 630 39, Email : fhabineza@rwandagreendemocrats.org 25th February 2010 The Minister of Internal Security KIGALI, RWANDA Dear Sir, Re : Security Threat to My Life, Requesting for Protection. I would like to take this opportunity to draw your kind attention to very disturbing events that have in the recent past surrounded my daily life as the Chairman of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), a party that, as you very well know, is yet to be registered. Since Early February this year, there has been several verbal reports about my imminent demise through assassination. At first I dismissed that information as ordinary rumours that form part of the occupational hazard of a politician’s life. I had tried to ignore the various threats, intimidation and harassment I have been subjected to, including those committed to our members since 30th October 2009. However, subsequent events have forced me to reconsider all aspects relating to my security. Recent Press reports published in UMUSESO No.396, of 22 Feb-01 March 2010, on Page two, reveal that there are people who plan to kill me in 60 days, according to reliable sources. I also have information which I can’t substantiate that there are planned robberies, beatings, grenade attacks and harassment being prepared against my family in particular and other Senior Leaders of the party. Other details indicate that we are supposed to be assassinated before the August 2010 Presidential elections. Similar events have happened to Ms.Victoire Ingabire. She was beaten by a mob at Kinyinya Sector in Kigali also in February 2010. These security threats are preceded by an event that happened to me on 4th February 2010, while i was at Hotel Le Printemps, Kimironko, Kigali, sharing a soft drink with a friend Jean Paul MUDAHERANWA aka. Sunday, a certain person unknown to me approached us and greeted me in my names and then told me in a menacing voice, that they are watching me very closely and asked me why I was fighting them, yet they paid for my education. I reported the matter to Police on 5th February 2010 and on 9th February ; i gave a full statement to Remera Police Station in Gasabo District. In a country like Rwanda, which is supposed to follow the rule of law and trying to be democratic, where a significant community believes to be peaceful, these developments are very worrying. The Purpose of this letter is therefore to request you to use your good offices to verify these threats and if found true then bring the perpetrators to book. I would also like to request you to ensure my security in particular and that of the senior Leaders of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and fellow opposition Leaders in other yet to be registered parties. I am looking forward to getting a kind consideration from you. Yours Faithfully Frank HABINEZA Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda C.C : H.E. President of the Republic The Right Hon Prime Minister The Commissioner General of Police The Director General of National Security Services National Human Rights Commission All Embassies in Rwanda
In our endeavour to strengthen the democratic process in Rwanda, to bring the current regime to accept the right of every Rwandan citizen to enjoy his/her full political rights, to allow Rwandans make a choice between different political programmes and to choose a leader who will have convinced them that his political programme is viable and will deliver on its manifesto ; In view of the many barriers, both legal and administrative, that the regime has put in place to prevent political parties from being formally registered ; In the face of increasing threats, aggressive acts and harassment against opposition parties in the period leading to presidential elections ; Taking into account the fact that the only party that has been registered has not been allowed to carry out its normal political activities among the general population at the grassroots level and to get access to the public media ; Considering the need to ensure that presidential elections planned for August 2010 are held in a democratic and transparent manner ; Convinced that putting together of our efforts is the best way to widen the political space for the political opposition, We the undersigned, representing the following political organisations : The United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, Have decided to form a common platform called the : Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties, “Conseil de Concertation Permanent des Partis d’Opposition” (PCC/CCP) The main of the objective of the platform is : To define a common position and carry out appropriate work of lobbying and advocacy at the national and international level. Areas of collaboration will include at this point in time the following areas : 1. Registration of political parties 2. Diplomacy 3. Information and communication 4. Justice Other areas of collaboration will be examined later. Done at Kigali, 19th February 2010 Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Chairperson, United Democratic Forces Mr. Frank Habineza Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Me. Bernard Ntaganda Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda which brings together : The United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, is strongly disturbed with the warning Letter issued by the Minister of Local Government, Mr. James MUSONI, yesterday, 25th February 2010 to politicians and politicians to be in Rwanda. The Hon. Minister is flogging a dead horse, what he is saying is common knowledge. We are law abiding citizens and are committed to respecting the Laws in place and the Constitution. However, the letter seems to limit the little political space, that has started to be visible in Rwanda. This seems to be an attempt aimed at muzzling the democratic right of freedom of expression under the pretext of using the law. The Minister is stretching the interpretation of the constitution to its widest limits. This is intended to intimidate people into silence and to muzzle the freedom of speech. If the RPF Government is bent on silencing the opposition, it should not use the constitution. This is abuse of process. It’s in RPF’s advantage to open up political space. The Minister is quite right in reminding us. But what has prompted such a reminder ? Hope we shall be getting reminders every month as election fever heats up. This alarm raises serious concerns about the shadows, interpretations and limits of the current law on political parties. In this context, the absence of dialogue between the government and the opposition parties is harmful to the country’s governance. Local political actors and international partners of Rwanda urgently need to assess these risks and create a national political dialogue. Otherwise the political space will remain ultimately hermetically sealed off. The Ministry of Local Government is playing a key role in the democratisation process especially in handling the authorization of political meetings ; registering political parties and following up the eventual violations of laws. Authorisations for political parties to hold their founding congresses are denied with no reason ; political leaders are attacked and beaten in government offices ; political parties are harassed by the police and security services. Those are obvious signs of a political deadlock. The United Democratic Forces constitutional congress has been postponed because the local authority failed to respond to the application submitted. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was forbidden to hold its congress by the local administration on unclear grounds of security. The future of the Parti Social IMBERAKULI is at stake as well because of dissolution threats. We call upon the Government of Rwanda to prove its willingness to open up political space and let multiparty politics flourish as a matter of urgency. A political dialogue with the opposition and other stakeholders is urgently needed. We would also like to inform the Rwandan public that the three parties by forming a common platform (Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties) did not break any law, since they did not form a coalition or a political party’s forum. This is a political right as stipulated in the constitution ; we just used our freedom of association. Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza FDU-UDF INKINGI Mr. Franck Habineza Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Maître Bernard Ntaganda Parti Social Imberakuri
Frank Habineza, who was physically threatened by an unknown person while at a Kigali Hotel known as Le Printemps admits having received this information but says he does not believe that this Government can do such a thing “I do not believe that RF can stoop so low by killing a person just simply because he/she has different views, but from what aim hearing anything is possible” UMUSESO NEWSPAPER No.396.of 22nd -01 March 2010 BAD PLANS HABINEZA TO BE KILLED IN 60 DAYS Translation of some text on Page 2 ………………. While Victoire Ingabire is in the process of being sent to Prison, another opposition politician Mr.Frank HABINEZA will be killed within 60 days. One of the security operatives who gave us the information had this to say Frank is going to be killed within 60 days, they have no case against him. They can’t charge him with harboring genocide ideology, neither genocide crime. They have been trying to frame him up but have not yet succeeded, yet he is the one fully supporting (giving courage) to Victoire Ingabire. Frank Habineza, who was physically threatened by an unknown person while at a Kigali Hotel known as Le Printemps admits having received this information but says he does not believe that this Government can do such a thing “I do not believe that RF can stoop so low by killing a person just simply because he/she has different views, but from what aim hearing anything is possible” Arrangements are being made to kill Frank Habineza, the party he is reading is at road blocks, still struggling to get registered
On Thursday 4th February 2010, around 15 30 hrs at Hotel Leprentemps in Kimironko, Kigali City, i was intimidated and threatened by an un-known man, whom I suspected to be a security operative. I had gone to the hotel to met a colleague : Jean Paul MUDAHERANWA aka. Sunday. When I arrived, I observed the presence of two other men. One of them left in about 10 minutes. Shortly thereafter, the unknown man who had remained behind, well dressed, presumed to be in his late thirties, brown and tall, suddenly stood up and walked towards me. He said in a rather strong voice “Frank, why don’t you recruit me in your party ?, I responded to him that no problem, and asked him his names, but he declined to tell me. He then continued, “Frank, we know whatever you are doing, we are following you very closely, remember, we paid school fees for you ( meaning government bursary at University), why are you fighting us ?. What do you want from that Woman Ingabire Victoire ?, be very careful, we are monitoring you very closely….”. I was disturbed by his abrupt aggressiveness and reference to what I had done two days ago and what I was to do later, Thursday evening. I was very surprised because the two events he referred to were factual. I responded to him that, aim not an enemy of the state and that having different ideas from the ruling party RPF does not make am an enemy of Kagame. I also pointed out to him that Victoire was given a Rwandan passport and National ID by the government, that had they believed that she was a state enemy, they should have not given them to her………….. , so they should stop to intimidate people like that. This incident follows, Ingabire Victoire’s attack on Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010, where her passiport and ID were stolen and her Aide Joseph Ntawangundi was seriulsy beaten and injured. Several other forms of intimidation and harassment have also been subjected to members of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda since 30th October 2009 during our Party congress that was sabotaged violently, and they were detailed in a press leases issued on 24th December 2009. This morning, 5th Feb 2010, I reported the matter to Remera Police Station and will make a follow up later in the day. I would like to appeal to the Government of Rwanda, to take these matters very seriously and ensure that security of all Rwandans and especially in the opposition political parties is guaranteed especially during this presidential elections period. I would also like to emphasize that being in an opposition political party does not qualify someone to be an enemy of the state, and disagreeing with the current regime in power, does not make one to be an enemy of government. Time has come for Rwandans to play mature politics. Politics that will ensure a sustainable development of Rwanda, a Rwanda that is free from poverty, free from fear and harassment, a Rwanda that fully recognizes freedoms of Press, Expression and Association. Done at Kigali on 5th February 2010 Frank HABINEZA President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
In Copenhagen the over-riding impression was chaos ! People queuing for hours outside in the freezing cold, and deadlocked talks inside. The conference failed on several fronts. Negotiations to protect the climate under the formal UN framework produced no meaningful result. Talks will continue through 2010 to the next Conference of Parties (COP16) in December 2010 in Mexico. The last minute ‘Copenhagen Accord’ was negotiated mainly between the Heads of State of China and the US, with involvement from India and Brazil. It also falls well short of all expectations with no guarantees for avoiding dangerous climate change and no legally binding mechanisms. Away from the formalities, Greens globally were part of the massive 12 December Day of Action. Over 100,000 people gathered in Copenhagen alone while hundreds of thousands more marched in countries around the world. The Global Greens also organised an information exchange forum for Greens in Copenhagen, and a public event featuring leading Green climate activists including Rebecca Harms, Marina Silva, Jose Bove, Christine Milne and Elizabeth May. Regrettably, at the last minute, Prof Wangari Maathai was unable to attend. More information : Beyond Copenhagen- where to for International climate policy : Green Group in the European Parliament, to be web-streamed live 4 February. http://www.greens-efa.org/cms/defau Global Greens call for honest, scientifically sound climate agreement. Media release from Copenhagen http://www.globalgreens.org/stateme Commonwealth Greens push for democracy in Rwanda The Rwanda Greens (Democratic Green Party of Rwanda) have tried numerous times in the last year to register formally as a political party. They have been blocked and their supporters harassed and intimidated by members of the ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front. The Commonwealth Human Rights Commission was so concerned about the lack of human rights, including political freedom, that it recommended against Rwanda’s admission to the Commonwealth. Greens from Commonwealth countries including Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Canada, Mauritius and England and Wales united in calling on the Commonwealth to block Rwanda’s application. Rwanda was admitted, but now must improve its performance – the Greens will be watching ! Global Greens Secretary The Global Greens Coordination, meeting in Copenhagen during the climate conference, agreed to appoint a secretary, based in Australia, to help with administration, communication and networking. This is a big step forward for the Global Greens, giving us for the first time resources to become more effective. Global Young Greens – second congress in 2010 The GYG will hold their second Congress in August 2010 in Berlin, Germany. On the agenda, will be plans for restructuring, training, workshops and developing common positions on vital global issues. Join in with your ideas :www.globalyounggreens.org More dates African Greens congress : April-May 2010 in Uganda (date to be confirmed).http://www.africangreens.org/ Asia Pacific Greens Network congress : 30 April—2 May, Taiwan.http://www.apgn2010.org/ Greens of the Americas : Next meeting September 2010, Colombia.http://www.fpva.org.mx/ European Greens. Meeting schedule and other news :http://europeangreens.eu/ About this newsletter The Global Greens Coordination has representatives from each Green federation/network (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe). It meets mostly by teleconference and occasionally face to face, most recently in Copenhagen in December 2009. It makes statements on current global issues, organises the Greens common presence at global events, and arranges Global Green conferences. Informal Global Greens news updates, like this one, will be published from time to time. Please circulate it to your Green-minded friends and colleagues. Click here to download a PDF document
On 19th January 2010, Rwandan Journalists from the Private media convened in order to elect two members amongst themselves to represent them to the National High Media Council-a government agency that has taken over most duties of the Ministry of Information. The Media Council answers to the Ministry of Information, with the role to monitor and regulate the media sector. The council is composed of nine members. The government appoints the executive secretary plus other three council members, two members are nominated by the private media through their professional association, one is nominated by the state/public media, one by the media training institutions and one by Rwandan citizens. According to Rwanda News Agency (RNA) story of 20th January 2010, the Director General of the Ministry of Information Mr. Ignatius Kabagambe, had sent out an invitation letter which indicated that each media house would have one vote. To the big surprise of the electorate present, The New Times Newspaper and Radio Contact FM mobilized and brought in all their entire staff members, including support-staff to participate in the elections and exceeding by far, the number stipulated by the Ministry of Information. Several Representatives of Private Media houses present, contested that action, but elections went forward and the controversial vote saw Mr. Arthur Asiimwe, The New Times Managing Editor, and Radio Contact FM’s Managing Director, Mr. Albert Rudatsimburwa elected to the nine-member media council. Both The New Times and Contact FM are private companies but other media houses consider them as government-owned, according to RNA. Other media houses dismissed the results of the election as a sham and walked out in protest. They argued that the process was sabotaged to bring in people close to government. They replaced the two outgoing members, Mr. Bahati Prince of Radio UMUCO and Father Pierre Nkusi – Editor of Kinyamateka Newspaper. The two also did not attend the elections. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, in its efforts to fight for Press/media freedom in Rwanda would like to make the following remarks : 1. We do not doubt the ability and competence of the two gentlemen elected. Indeed they are seasoned journalists, but we strongly condemn the manner in which the election process was conducted. Any election process to any office must be free, fair, transparent and devoid of any form of manipulation, coercion and rigging. 2. The Media Houses in Rwanda are part and parcel of the society’s fourth estate (arm of government) therefore, stand as a beacon of hope in the country that is trying to build its democratic institutions. Any type of election in which they are involved must be exemplary and above reproach, lest they loose the moral high ground they enjoy in the day to day life of the society and fail to properly report the upcoming August 2010 Presidential elections. 3. By refusing to adhere to the Ministerial instructions and doing it their way, those implicated in this scandal are indirectly bringing back and perpetuating the culture of impunity which has characterized Rwanda for so long. 4. We therefore strongly condemn that election process and call upon all peace loving journalists to challenge it, using legally acceptable, legitimate and non-violent means. Done at Kigali, 22nd January 2010 Frank HABINEZA Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Meeting between Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, Chairperson of the United Democratic Forces (UDF-Inkingi) and Mr. Frank Habineza, Chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda On this 7th day of December 2009, the Chairperson of the UDF-INKINGI, Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA and the Chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Mr. Frank HABINEZA met in The Hague, Netherlands, and jointly examined some of the fundamental problems affecting Rwanda in general and the forthcoming presidential elections to be held in August 2010 in particular. With regard to the prevailing situation in Rwanda, both leaders reiterated their vehement condemnation of the ruthless policies of the RPF led government characterized by, among other things, the following acts : Keeping people in perpetual extreme poverty characterized by widespread malnutrition and poor healthcare, especially in rural areas. Denying people their most basic rights in their own country Continuous persecution and harassment of journalists and press Refusing members of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda to hold their inaugural congress. Both leaders therefore called upon the RPF regime and made the following requests : Remove all obstacles which hinder the registration of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda so that the Party can freely exercise its political activities ; Grant passports to UDF-INKINGI’s leaders so that they can go back home and start the process of registering their Party. With regard to the 2010 presidential elections in Rwanda, the two leaders deplored RPF’s malicious tactics aimed at rigging the upcoming elections. A striking example is the actual National Electoral Commission (NEC) which is wholly RPF dominated. In much the same way, the existing electoral law provisions are meant to stifle the opposition parties. Hence, the two leaders called upon all Rwandan citizens in Rwanda or abroad to unite and stand up as one person in order to strongly denounce RPF’s malicious acts against UDF-INKINGI and Green Party. Such acts are mostly designed to ban these two political parties from actively and freely participating in the upcoming 2010 presidential elections and to ensure that the RPF candidate wins with an overwhelming majority. Done in The Hague, 7th December, 2009 Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA (signed) UDF-INKINGI Chairperson . Frank HABINEZA (signed) Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Chairperson . Read the Press Release here
