PRESS RELEASE
A consultation meeting of Rwandan opposition political parties was held for the third time in Brussels, on March the 1st, 2014. The meeting established a formal framework for collaboration, able to work effectively for the long-awaited political change in Rwanda.
Following political parties were present at the meeting:
1. United Democratic forces(FDU- Inkingi ) ;
2. Forces Democratic of Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR);
3. Democratic People’s Pact ( PDP- Imanzi );
4. Party for Democracy in Rwanda ( PDR- Ihumure );
5. Social Party ( PS- Imberakuri );
6. Rwandan Dream Initiative (RDI – Rwiza Rwanda) ;
7. Rwandan Democratic Union (UDR).
As a reminder, the FDLR and PS- Imberakuri parties are grouped in the FCLR – Ubumwe (Common Front for the Liberation of Rwanda).
At the beginning of the meeting, all participants responded positively to the initiative of the UDR (Rwandan Democratic Union) the party that had came out with the a proposal of establishing a coalition of Rwandan opposition parties during the meeting of the 1st of February 2014.
After reviewing the report of the steering committee established on the 15th February 2014 in order to establish a formal framework for collaboration between Rwandans opposition political parties, the meeting decided the followings:
1. The Present parties unanimously reaffirmed the urgent need for close collaboration between the Rwandan political opposition in accordance of the project initially launched on the 1st February 2014. They also noted with great satisfaction the enormous hope raised in the Rwandan people about this initiative and its noble objectives, which it wishes to achieve successful results.
2. Three political parties, namely the FDU- Inkingi, the PDP- Imanzi and PDR- Ihumure expressed their concerns regarding their immediate adhesion into an the new collaboration framework bringing together political opposition parties. They each mentioned some prerequisites they wish to be satisfied prior they could join the new new structure.
However, the three parties have clearly emphasized that they fully support the proposed coalition of Rwandan political opposition parties. These three political parties were requested to contribute to solutions, which will help them to contribute to the ongoing talks until conditions of their participation in the new coalition structure are met.
3. The four other political parties considered that the time was suitable for the establishment of a formal framework for collaboration. They took action by creating a structure called Coalition of Rwandans Political Parties for Change, (CPC). They also expressed their gratitude to the parties FDU, PDR and PDP for their continued efforts in looking for solution to the many problems that the people of Rwanda face. They also stressed that the doors of the Coalition remained open while waiting for their entry into the new structure, the three parties would soon be informed of the terms of their continued collaboration with their partners now grouped within the CPC.
4. Structure and Management within the CPC
President: RDI – Rwanda Rwiza
First Vice -President: FCLR – Ubumwe
Second Vice -President: UDR
General Secretary: FCLR – Ubumwe
The management team will be supported by the following committees in which the following relevant fields:
Politics: FCLR – Ubumwe
Finance: RDI – Rwanda Rwiza
Defence: FCLR – Ubumwe
External Relations: UDR
The Coalition will also be a spokesperson from the ranks of FCLR – Ubumwe.
The meeting welcomed the election of Mr Twagiramungu as President of the CPC. Other names of other management team will be made public along with the political program of the Coalition at the press conference in Brussels on 19 March 2014.
Done at Brussels, 1 March 2014
For FCLR – Ubumwe : Victor Byiringiro
For RDI – Rwanda Rwiza : Faustin Twagiramungu
For UDR: Dr Paulin Murayi
