RWANDA-POLITICS: NEW PARLIAMENT SWORN IN, PARIS SLAMMED

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

JEAN BAPTISE KAYIGAMBA

KIGALI, Nov 25 1994 (IPS) - RWANDA’S NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WAS SWORN IN FRIDAY IN A STEP TOWARDS THE STABALISATION OF THE STRIFE-TORN COUNTRY AND AMID A WAR OF WORDS WITH FRANCE, THE BACKERS OF THE FORMER HUTU EXTREMIST REGIME.

THE 70 DEPUTIES ARE DRAWN FROM THE FIVE PARTIES IN THE GOVERNING COALITION LED BY THE FORMER REBEL RWANDESE PATRIOTIC FRONT (RPF), AND TWO OTHER PARTIES THAT DO NOT HAVE PORTFOLIOS IN THE CABINET, WITH SIX SEATS RESERVED FOR THE ARMY.

THE FORMER RULING HARDLINE HUTU NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT (MRND), THE COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC (CDR), AND THEIR ALLIES IMPLICATED IN THE ANTI- TUTSI GENOCIDE BETWEEN APRIL AND JULY WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE ASSEMBLY.

“WE WISH TO BREAK AWAY WITH THE OLD SYSTEM WHEN DEPUTIES WERE JUST PUPPETS OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS GOVERNMENT,” SAID TITO RUTAREMARA, AN RPF DEPUTY.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN KIGALI SEE THE SETTING UP OF THE ASSEMBLY AS A STEP FORWARD IN THE DEMOCRATISATION AND NORMALISATION OF A BLOOD SOAKED RWANDA.

BUT FRANCE IN PARTICULAR, JUDGES THE PROGRESS AS INSUFFICIENT TO WARRANT THE BACKING OF THE COUNTRY’S RECONSTRUCTION.

THEY WANT THE RETURN OF A MILLION MAINLY HUTU REFUGEES IN CAMPS IN ZAIRE, TANZANIA, BURUNDI, AND ASSURANCES OF SECURITY AROUND THE COUNTRY BEFORE PROVIDING AID THROUGH THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE CASH-STRAPPED GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT COUNTERS THAT THEY HAVE MADE APPEALS FOR THE REFUGEES TO COME HOME, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE PRESENCE OF FORMER ARMY AND MILITIA IN THE CAMPS WHO ARE PREVENTING THEIR RETURN.

THE TUTSI-BASED RPF ALSO ARGUES THAT STABILITY WILL BE A PRODUCT OF RECONSTRUCTION, AND BLOCKING FOREIGN ASSISTANCE WILL WORSEN THE SITUATION.

“UNCONDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO PUT THIS GOVERNMENT BACK ON THE RAILS,” POINTED OUT UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO RWANDA, SHAHARYAR KHAN, THIS WEEK.