The president of Rwanda H.E Paul Kagame has noted that conflicts are still a major stumbling block undermining peace building and development in Africa and the world at large.
President Kagame was officially opening the high level meeting on post-conflict peace building that started today at Serena Hotel, Kigali.
“Conflicts undermine human progress, affects peace and development therefore it should be resolved,” said Kagame.
Kagame added that nations recovering from wars should give priority to general aspirations of its people adding that this can also be achieved through Improving social cohesion and economic development.
He also gave a brief history of how Rwanda has emerged from the 1994 Genocide war in 1994 and how stability was achieved.
“After the war there was a need to restore public order and political stability as well as ensuring repatriation of refugees, marginalized people were also brought on board and women who are often undermined were given top leadership positions,” Kagame remarked.
“Good committed leadership at all levels is essential,” he added, “continued dialogue has enabled shaping of the national vision, this has also enabled Rwandans to make their own decisions and decide on their priorities, now all Rwandans enjoy progress of the country,” president Kagame added.
He further pointed out that Rwanda has also set Institutions that enhance accountability such as the Auditor General office , ombudsman’s office etc.
“And this has deterred the culture of impunity.” President noted.
Kagame noted however that Rwanda’s remaining challenges include Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda(FDLR) rebels in the Eastern part of DR Congo.
But the president added that the continued collaboration with DR Congo is showing progress in weakening the armed group.
President Kagame said peace building discussions were timely given the number of African countries emerging from conflicts and learn best practices from countries which have progressed from wars.
Judy Cheng Hokins a UN assistant Secretary General in charge of peace building insisted on accountable governance as well as respect towards human rights as way to ensure peace building and political stability.
Hokins hailed Rwanda’s progress adding that it was remarkable to have Rwanda on top 20 countries on the right path of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
She also hailed the presence of over 50% women in decision making positions.
“The UN will continue to support Rwanda on its path to stability and I urge other countries to envy Rwanda’s way of empowering women, as well as adhere to global commitments especially those that aim on enhancing peace building,” Hokins said.
The President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza said that his country was also progressing well from a series of ethnic and political conflicts.
President Nkurunziza added that his country was becoming stable which has enabled the country send military forces for peace keeping missions in some of the war torn Somalia, Sudan, Haiti and Ivory Coast.
“Rwanda’s progress has been an inspiration to us and we are trying to strengthen our legislative assembly and also integrate our security systems,” said Nkurunziza.
Ends
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