Let me begin by welcoming you all to our country, and thanking you for choosing Kigali to host this important meeting. I believe we all agree that the efforts to revive CEPGL and its institutions shall serve to benefit all member states, and I am pleased to join you today as we discuss the role of parliamentarians in promoting peace, security and sustainable development in our region.
There is no denying that our region has gone through difficult times in the past, and as a result, ceased to function optimally. Of late, there have been serious and concerted efforts by our Governments and Partners to revive the CEPGL, precisely because the significance of such a regional grouping is clear in promoting the social welfare of our citizens, and the role of regional integration for sustainable development.
Presidents of the Senate and Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies from Burundi, the DRC and Rwanda;
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and the 1st Vice President of the Senate of Belgium;
Government leaders;
Distinguished Conference Participants;
Let me begin by welcoming you all to our country, and thanking you for choosing Kigali to host this important meeting. I believe we all agree that the efforts to revive CEPGL and its institutions shall serve to benefit all member states, and I am pleased to join you today as we discuss the role of parliamentarians in promoting peace, security and sustainable development in our region.
There is no denying that our region has gone through difficult times in the past, and as a result, ceased to function optimally. Of late, there have been serious and concerted efforts by our Governments and Partners to revive the CEPGL, precisely because the significance of such a regional grouping is clear in promoting the social welfare of our citizens, and the role of regional integration for sustainable development.
In the past, Governments have dominated efforts towards conflict resolution and peace building, and indeed history will show that we have played our part in the Great Lakes Region. But these efforts must be complemented and supported by our respective parliaments.
Experience has shown, in fact, that representative parliaments can take up very strategic positions to consolidate peace, security, and economic development, especially where their vision and outlook go beyond their national confines.
We have seen regional Parliamentary organizations such as the AMANI Forum already playing a significant role in helping member states to mediate regional disputes and mitigate cross-border aspects of intra-state conflict.
But there is more that our respective parliaments can do to advance the cause of peace and security and socio- economic development of our people. As a branch of government, Parliament has a crucial role in creating conditions for lasting peace – through their representative, oversight; and legislative roles. As representatives of the people, Parliamentarians should mobilize citizens to recognize the need to resolve both intra-state conflicts and those that stretch beyond national borders.
Parliaments are also uniquely placed to promote diplomacy and closer cooperation between themselves, to harmonize laws that govern the mutual use of our resources such as gas and electricity, and ensure the smooth running of our common institutions.
Our parliaments can also strengthen existing institution in our respective countries that have been put there to promote conflict resolution and peace-building. Rwanda’s Unity and Reconciliation Commission and Gacaca are cases in point – where members of parliament have been involved in the mobilization of our people to participate in reconciliation programmes.
Excellencies;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Parliaments can ensure that international initiatives are taken with national constituencies in mind, so that the interests of everyone are taken on board, and no one is disenfranchised or left out.
Parliaments will also play a more effective role if they reach out to the media and civil society and interact more with their constituencies to explain their role to generate public support for their efforts. In this way, the laws they pass become a true reflection of the aspirations of the people.
In fact, by fighting corruption and ensuring that the country’s resources are used in a transparent manner, Parliament can exercise its oversight and accountability function, both key ingredients for peace and development.
Excellencies;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
Any notion of peace-building that ignores social and economic development will have no meaningful impact on the ground. That is why in Rwanda, the economic empowerment of our people will always feature prominently in the partnerships that we enter, and protocols that we sign.
And it is very clear that over the last few years, citizens from all our countries of the CEPGL have began to benefit improved peace and security.
It is also easy to see that greater economic interdependence between our states should serve as a deterrent and disincentive to a return to conflict.
Similarly, reinforcing the rule of law is essential for peace and impacts notably on economic development – Parliaments should cooperate closely with their respective judicial systems to fight injustice, avail fair and equal treatment, promote good governance, and in so-doing, better manage conflict between different groups in society.
Let me conclude by saying that our regions’ parliamentary bodies can do a lot together. They can nurture the spirit of partnership that accompanies the benefits of a peaceful and stable neighbourhood.
May I also take this opportunity, since today is International Women’s Day, to recognize the important role that Rwandan women parliamentarians have played in shaping this country’s peace and development process, and by extension, the stability of our region.
In order to fully realize our nations’ potential, we must continue to include women, youth, and other groups who in the past have been left out of decision making positions.
I thank you for your attention, and wish you an enjoyable and fruitful conference.