RWANDA: 20 YEARS ON
The view of the parliamentary buildings that harbour both Chambers
regional divisionism and a genocidal ideology that characterized the former Rwandan government and its leadership.
The new government adopted deliberate principles that would keep the nation on guard so as not to slide back to pre-1994 politics. An all- inclusive constitution was passed in 2003, that transcends politics based on division and entrenched the rights of women as full partners in nation- building.
Institutional building was made a priority from the outset as the country lacked the necessary legal and institutional architecture for national building and public service delivery. This entailed strengthening existing but inadequate institutions and creating brand new institutions all together that never existed before, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, Auditor General’s office, the police force,
the Examination’s Council, the Public Service Commission, Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Fight against Genocide. The institutions were created to enhance good governance, reinforce the rule of law, accountability and transparency, particularly in public affairs. Most of the public accountability institutions report to Parliament. Abuse of power or engaging in malpractice and corruption by any official, results into sanctions, no matter how high-ranking the official concerned. As a result, Rwandans have started to demand for better services from the government. Rwanda has built up a reputation as a role model in the effective use of donors’ funds and in 2013, Transparency International ranked the country as the least corrupt in East Africa.
156 | The Parliamentarian | 2014: Issue Three
Economic development Rwanda’s post genocide administration rallied Rwandans in defining their own development path in an inclusive and participatory manner, resulting in the national vision or “Vision 2020”. Vision 2020 is an ambitious programme that guides a national social economic transformation process with specific targets to be achieved in all sectors, such as comprehensive basic education and health benefits for all citizens. It was introduced to help propel Rwanda to a middle income status by the year 2020.
An economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS) was elaborated and adopted in the medium term and serves as a roadmap to fast track economic growth. Rapid economic growth is as a result of radical legal reforms to facilitate the ease of doing business to attract investment, investing in
broadband internet throughout all the 30 districts and an open door policy to integration. Rwanda is now an integral part of the fast developing East African Community and the latest member to join the Commonwealth family.
The World Bank Group Doing Business report series, cited Rwanda as the most improved economy in 2014 worldwide since 2005. The country ranked 32 out of 189 countries as the easiest place to do business in East Africa and the second easiest place to do business in Africa.
Power sharing
Political governance is exercised under a multiparty power sharing system defined by the constitution of 2003, in a semi presidential system. The Parliament is bicameral and the constitution provides that the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84