By: Jennifer Fierberg

Politics in Rwanda is currently in a fragile state. Many foreign backers have withdrawn or suspended aid due to the actions of President Paul Kagame supporting the M23 rebel group in the DR Congo. If there is ever an opportunity for opposition groups to the RPF to be organized and prepared it is now. One of these groups is the Democratic Green party of Rwanda.

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has announced their decision to return to Rwanda, formally register their party and run for a seat in Parliament. The Party has faced many challenges and tragedies in 2010 when they were attempting to run for the Presidential seat in the August 2010 election. They were unable to register their party and the Vice President Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA was found decapitated.  Since that time Frank Habineza has been working tirelessly for the Party around the world to gain support and alliances. His efforts have paid off with strong supporters in Australia, Burkina Faso and other countries.

Their press statement is found below:

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

B.P. 6334 KIGALI-RWANDA

E-mail: info@rwandagreendemocrats.org

Website: www.rwandagreendemocrats.org

 

Tuesday, 14th August 2012

Media Release: Third Anniversary–Resuming Political Activities Inside the Country.

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, we take on the opportunity to inform all party members, well-wishers and the general public that we have re-committed ourselves to resume political activities inside the country.

The party leader, Frank Habineza, who has been away in Sweden, since August 2010 will be back early September to spearhead the process of registering the party and preparing for the September 2013 parliamentary elections.

During 2011, we were able to launch the Friends of Rwandan Greens, in Australia and participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Perth, Australia. CHOGM proved to be of great importance.

In May 2012, we were also able to participate in the Commonwealth Workshop for Government and Opposition in East Africa, which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The workshop discussed the importance of the Opposition Parties complying with all relevant laws and playing a constructive role in the National debate. It also highlighted the Government’s duty to recognize that in a multi-party democracy sometimes it is right for the Opposition to say how a particular law or policy can be improved or modified. We have no doubt that The Commonwealth is a serious partner in this noble cause of having a vibrant democracy in our country.

In June 2012, the Government of Burkina Faso, officially registered the African Greens Federation (a coalition of over 30 Political Parties and movements on the African continent), which DGPR’s President, Frank Habineza, chairs. The Secretariat of this federation was launched in July 2012 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

In March 2012, the African Greens Federation was able to host the 3rd Global Greens Congress in Dakar, Senegal. The gathering brought together parties from over 70 countries.

As former US President Ronald Regan said: “Democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.”

Via Con Dios President Frank Habineza.