Rwanda referendum held in haste – envoys
Just hours to Friday's national referendum on presidential term limits, a delegation of foreign diplomats in Rwanda met local Parliamentarians and senators on Thursday evening, during which they suggested that the poll process being held in haste.
"We see two areas of concern: the speed with which the referendum is being held, with no sufficient time for parties to put forward their message," Michael Ryan, the head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Rwanda stated.
"Citizens were not given sufficient space and time to prepare for the referendum. The process was rushed," Erica Barks-Ruggles, the US ambassador to Rwanda also stated.
The meeting held in the Senate (Upper chamber) at Parliamentary buildings in Kigali was attended by 18 envoys and chaired by Senator Mike Rugema.
The EU envoy expressed concern that the subject of the referendum was neither published nor gazetted to allow public discussion on their choices.
However, Senator Tito Rutaremara told the diplomats that debate on the referendum started five years ago and citizens are well aware of the choices they will make.
"This debate started in 2010 and evolved with time, until early this year when the citizens came to parliament to ask for amendment."
MPs explained that the changes were made after citizens demanded it, especially article 101, which is about presidential terms.
Rugema said the amendments were not only about presidential term limits but also on wider political reforms, including a transitional period from the current seven year term to a five year term for all elected leaders.
He said the next seven years would serve as the transitional period for harmonising the elective mandates for President, senators and parliamentarians, whose tenure varies.
"After the transition, the same presidential elections will be organized where the five year term renewable once will be applied," responded Faustin Byabarumwanzi, a member of parliament.
"We see two areas of concern: the speed with which the referendum is being held, with no sufficient time for parties to put forward their message," Michael Ryan, the head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Rwanda stated.
"Citizens were not given sufficient space and time to prepare for the referendum. The process was rushed," Erica Barks-Ruggles, the US ambassador to Rwanda also stated.
The meeting held in the Senate (Upper chamber) at Parliamentary buildings in Kigali was attended by 18 envoys and chaired by Senator Mike Rugema.
The EU envoy expressed concern that the subject of the referendum was neither published nor gazetted to allow public discussion on their choices.
However, Senator Tito Rutaremara told the diplomats that debate on the referendum started five years ago and citizens are well aware of the choices they will make.
"This debate started in 2010 and evolved with time, until early this year when the citizens came to parliament to ask for amendment."
MPs explained that the changes were made after citizens demanded it, especially article 101, which is about presidential terms.
Rugema said the amendments were not only about presidential term limits but also on wider political reforms, including a transitional period from the current seven year term to a five year term for all elected leaders.
He said the next seven years would serve as the transitional period for harmonising the elective mandates for President, senators and parliamentarians, whose tenure varies.
"After the transition, the same presidential elections will be organized where the five year term renewable once will be applied," responded Faustin Byabarumwanzi, a member of parliament.
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The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.
I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
When the white man came we had the land and they had the bibles; now they have the land and we have the bibles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Voice of the Poor, the Weak and Powerless.
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