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Reconciliation and Democratization Policies: Experiences and Lessons Learned in Reconciliation and Democratization from Germany, South Africa, Namibia and Rwanda

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Reconciliation and Democratization Policies: Experiences and Lessons Learned in Reconciliation and Democratization from Germany, South Africa, Namibia and Rwanda REPUBLIC OF RWANDA NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRATIZATION POLICIES: EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNED IN RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRATIZATION FROM GERMANY, SOUTH AFRICA, NAMIBIA AND RWANDA October 2003 The Conference on "reconciliation and democratization policies: Experiences and lessons learned in reconciliation and democratisation from Germany, South Africa, Namibia and Rwanda and its report were financed by the Germany government through the GTZ supported project of "Crisis Prevention -Support to the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission". This report does not necessarily reflect the view of GTZ. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page REPORT ON THE CONFERENCE............................................................................... 5 Background:................................................................................................................. 5 Welcome and introductions........................................................................................... 5 II. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATIONS .................................................................. 6 1.1 Reconciliation and democratization process after genocide ................................... 6 1.1.1 German Experiences: Ambassador Harald Ganns .......................................... 6 1.1.2 Rwandan experiences: Hon. Patrick Mazimhaka ........................................... 7 1.2 First democratic elections and peaceful exit from the transition period..................... 7 1.2.1 South African experiences: H.E. Roelf Meyer ................................................ 7 1.2.2 Rwandan experiences: Prof. Dr KARANGWA Chrysologue............................ 8 1.3 The role of political parties and civil society in ensuring peaceful democratic elections......................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 Namibian experiences: Hon. Nora Schimming - Chase ................................ 9 1.3.2 South Africa experiences: H.E. Roelf Meyer .................................................. 9 1.3.3 Rwandan experiences: Hon. Augustin IYAMUREMYE ............................... 10 1.4 Constitution as a foundation for democratic elections............................................................... 11 1.4.1 Namibian experiences: Hon. Nora Schimming Chase ................................... 11 1.4.2 Rwandan experiences: Hon. Tito RUTAREMARA......................................... 11 II. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ............................................................. 13 II.I Reconciliation and democratization process after genocide German experiences; presentation by Amb. Ret Harald Ganns............................................................. 13 II.2 Reconciliation and Democratization process after Genocide Rwandans experiences; by Hon Patrick Mazimhaka......................................................................................... 19 11.3 First Democratic elections and peaceful exit from the transition period South African experiences; by H.E Roelf Meyer.................................................................................... 24 11.4 How Rwanda prepares the first democratic elections and peaceful exit from the transitional period; Dr. Chrysologue Karangwa ........................................................................ 27 11.5 Discussions.................................................................................................................................................. 30 11.5.1 Questions and Answers............................................................................. 30 11.6 The role of political parties and civil society in ensuring peaceful democratic elections ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 11.6.1 Namibian experiences; Hon. Nora Schinning - Chase ............................... 31 11.6.2 South Africa experiences, by H.E Roelf Meyer .......................................... 35 11.6.3 Rwandan Experiences, Hon Augustin IYAMUREMYE ............................... 37 11.7 Discussions.................................................................................................................................................. 41 11. 7.1 Questions & Answers ............................................................................... 41 3 11.8 Constitution as a foundation for democratic elections ........................................................ 44 11.8.1 Namibian experiences; by Hon. Nora Schimming - Chase......................... 44 11.8.2 Rwandan Experiences, by Hon. Tito Rutaremara ...................................... 49 III CLOSING NOTES ................................................................................................ 51 III.I H.E. Hans - Dieter Steinbach, German Ambassador to Rwanda.............................. 51 III.2 Hon. Christophe BAZIVAMO, Minister of Local Government, Information and Social Affairs. ........................................................................................................................... 51 ANNEX ...................................................................................................................... 53 List of Participants............................................................................................................................................... 53 4 REPORT ON THE CONFERENCE Background: The Rwandan-German project "Crisis Prevention - Support for the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission" implemented by the NURC and GTZ started in October 2000. Within the scope of this project, the NURC organized a one day "Conference on Reconciliation and Democratization Policies - experiences and lessons learnt in the field of Reconciliation and Democratization from Germany, South Africa, Namibia and Rwanda" on 19 June 2003. The conference took place in Hotel Mille Collines in Kigali. Key speeches were delivered by visiting eminent personalities, having a rich experience in the areas of reconciliation and democratization, by some Rwandan politicians and one university professor. These are: Ambassador ret. Harald Ganns from Germany, H.E. Roelf Meyer from South Africa, Hon. Ms Nora Schimming-Chase from Namibia, Hon Patrick Mazimhaka (Rwanda), Hon. Augustin Iyamuremye (Rwanda), Hon. Tito Rutaremara (Rwanda), and Prof. Dr Chrysologue Karangwa (Rwanda). Interestingly 2 years ago, exactly on 19 June 2001, NURC and GTZ had organized another conference on Reconciliation policies, in which Ambassador Harald Ganns, H.E. Roelf Meyer and Hon. Nora Schimming Chase were the guest speakers, sharing their experiences with Rwandan actors of reconciliation. The second conference, held recently, can be seen as a follow-up of the conference 2 years ago. The Conference was attended by Commissioners of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), senior staff of the NURC, representatives of several other Rwandan institutions, representatives of political parties, representatives of the Rwandan civil society, representatives of churches, representatives of GTZ, and representatives of the international community in Rwanda (see list of participants). The conference served as a forum of exchange of experiences and lessons in reconciliation and democratization processes in Germany, Namibia, South Africa and Rwanda. We believe it is worthwhile to share through this report the results of this conference with a broader audience. Welcome and introductions Mr. Antoine Rutayisire, Vice-Chairman of NURC introduced the conference and gave an overview of the program. Ms FATUMA NDANGIZA, Executive Secretary of NURC, delivered the opening word before inviting the Prime Minister to declare the conference open. In her opening word, Ms Fatuma NDANGIZA welcomed and thanked the guest speakers and the participants. She also thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for sponsoring the conference. She then went on to briefly review 5 the mission of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. She then expressed the hope that the conference was going to trigger an active and constructive debate, and that lessons to be learnt would further help to enhance our reconciliation and democratization processes. Before declaring the Conference open, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA reviewed the wide - ranging performance of the Government of National Unity, since 1994, stressing the point that "Unity and reconciliation" is the centerpiece of all the policies of the Rwandan Government. He pointed out that efforts have significantly been made to root out bad governance, which is one of the root causes of the ills that Rwanda has been through. In order to achieve good governance, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister indicated that processes of decentralization and democratization were set on track and are already yielding their fruit. He also pointed out among other things, that the country has a new constitution that puts special emphasis on unity, reconciliation and democracy. After reviewing the wide range of achievements of the Government of National Unity, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister urged key speakers and participants to have a really profitable exchange of experiences in reconciliation and democratization, and promised that the Government would see to it that the conference's recommendations will be implemented. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATIONS
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