Umushyikirano postponed

The council was scheduled on 22nd December 2021 at Kigali Convention Centre.

The decision follows the confirmation of new COVID-19 variant dubbed ‘Omicron’ and strict measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus.

As per current directives, movements are prohibited from 10p.m to 4a.m while all businesses must close by 9p.m.

Physical meetings are allowed to continue without exceeding 50% occupancy while participants are urged to present negative COVID-19 test results.

Two days following the release of new directives on 17th December 2021, Rwanda confirmed 383 new COVID-19 cases including 283 from Kigali City.

On 18th December, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije attributed the rise in cases to Omicron variant noting that the country needs to implement stringent measures to contain the pandemic.

IGIHE has learnt that the latter is among major reasons that triggered the adjournment of Umushyikirano.

The council was expected to bring together government officials, parliamentarians, Rwandans within the country and abroad among others.

The 18th National Dialogue Council cancelled in 2020 was scheduled on 16th December 2020. It was cancelled by the cabinet meeting held on 14th December which also postponed all national events.

During the council, the president delivers ‘State of the Nation’ address.

Umushyikirano is Kinyarwanda’s equivalent of ‘dialogue’. During the dialogue, participants exchange ideas, share experiences, peer review and question each other. Today Umushyikirano is known as the National Dialogue Council.

As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context.

The result is a set of Home Grown Solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programs. One of these Home Grown Solutions is Umushyikirano.

Governed by the Rwandan Constitution (Article 168), Umushyikirano is a forum where participants debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity.

The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall co-ordination of Umushyikirano.