Having intensely discussed, exchanged views on, and analyzed two main points on the agenda of the Congress which were:
(a)To finalize our plan to go and exercise our political rights in Rwanda: political agenda, objectives and steps to follow;
(b)To design the necessary strategies to be used by Rwandans as a tool to dissuade Paul Kagame from rigging the third term which he wants to take forcefully;
*Based on our principles of TRUTH, INTREPIDNESS and SOCIAL JUSTICE ;
*Considering the views, wishes and worries presented to us by the Rwandans during the preparation of this Congress;
*Taking into account the current political environment in Rwanda, the security situation within the region of the Great Lakes of Africa and the ongoing international diplomatic concerns;
We, twenty-seven members of ISHEMA Party gathered in our Congress in Brussels from the 15th to 17th of January 2016;
I. DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:
1.We confirm once again that we strongly support the resolution to go and exercise politics in Rwanda as concluded by the first Congress of ISHEMA Party held in January 2014 and confirmed by the second Congress held in February 2015. We undoubtedly underline that going to Rwanda to exercise our political rights is unshakable.
2.We urge the public to note that the opposition we make should never interpreted as an opportunity to make trouble or to neglect and disrespect our opponent, on contrary let it be known by everybody that our intention is to give our democratic constructive criticism, speaking the truth and striving to explain our political agenda as alternative and how we intend to govern the country after the people of Rwanda will have voted for us.
3.We underline the importance of our approach to resolve conflicts peacefully via the genuine dialogue since it does not destroy the nation and gives opportunity to every citizen to actively participate in the political life without terror especially through free and fair electoral process. This is the only way we can bring back to Rwandans the hope of the sustainable peace.
4.We believe that the problem of refugees deserves a special attention and must be truly debated so as to provide an appropriate and definitive solution for it.
5.We encourage all well intentioned Rwandans to join the “ANTI THIRD TERM RALLY” in order to proceed with real actions aimed at dissuading Paul Kagame from the third term he wants to rig in violation of the rwandan Constitution as revised in December 2015.
6.We call upon all the citizens within Rwanda to support and join the UNSTOPPABLE DEMONSTRATION that will move from the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western provinces to contest Paul Kagame’s intention to rig the third term.
7.We strongly condemn belligerent politics institutionalized by the Rwandan leaders within the Great Lakes of Africa: by fueling continuous wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, starting, training and supporting terrorist groups to destabilize the republic of Burundi and provocation against the leaders of Tanzania.
II. OUR GOAL WILL BE REACHED THROUGH THE FOLLOWING SEVEN (7) STEPS:
1.Although we are ready to go and start exercising our political rights in Rwanda from January 28th 2016, we do not want to enter our homeland like people launching an armed attack. We rather prefer start by trying to dialogue with the Government of Rwanda. To that end, we set up a delegation that is ready to go to Kigali for the dialogue with the leadership in place.
2.We will keep our contacts with the countries partnering with Rwanda and approaching the leaders of neighboring countries in the Great Lakes Region of Africa in order to explain and ask their support towards our agenda.
3.Speeding up the talks we started with other opposition political parties in order to expose to them our project and explore ways of collaboration.
4.Approaching the Rwandan refugees from all over the world to sensitize them for joining real actions aimed at a quick political change in our country so that all causes of refuge are uprooted once for all.
We therefore nominate Mr Emmanuel MUGENZI as Commissioner in charge of Australia and New Zealand.
5.Proceeding to the registration of ISHEMA Party for recognition by the Rwandan laws.
6.Receiving views, ideas and advices of the Rwandans on the national territory and show them the development projects we have for them and exhort them to support our political agenda actively.
7.Participating in the presidential elections to take place in 2017 and the parliamentary elections of 2018. We take this opportunity to remind that our Congress held in Paris in January 2014 elected Reverend Father Thomas NAHIMANA as our party’s flag bearer ( Candidate) in 2017 presidentials. The names of our candidates for 2018 legislatives will be communicated in due time.
Therefore,
III . FROM THE RWANDANS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY , WE REQUEST :
A. FROM THE RWANDANS:
1. All kinds of support since our task is both far reaching and challenging. We particularly call upon all the Rwandans on national territory to overcome the terror and join our peaceful struggle. ISHEMA party members also known as ABATARIPFANA from province, district, sectors and community levels are there to help you for mobilization.
2. To join the New Generation Leaders. Especially, the youth are urged to come to us so as combine efforts for building a future fair to everyone.
3. We particularly persuade President Paul Kagame to accept the dialogue with our delegation so that the political change deservedly requested by Rwandans takes place smoothly without necessity to opt for armed struggles. We all shall benefit.
B. FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY:
1. To monitor closely the political environment within Rwanda and take the responsibility of peacekeeping if need be.
2. To keep supporting the New Generation vision and agenda.
Long live Republic and Democracy
Long live the Rwandan people ready to manage conflicts through peaceful means and dialogue.
Done at Brussels this day 17 of January 2016.
On behalf of ISHEMA PARTY
Venant NKURUNZIZA, The Congress Spokesperson
