GASABO - The sixth national dialogue conference kicks-off at Parliament buildings in Kimihurura today.

The two-day event, to be officially opened and chaired by President Paul Kagame will as usual bring together Rwandans, especially those in leadership to openly discuss and share ideas on national issues, and in particular, how present-day national problems can be worked out.

"The constitutional provision of the national dialogue is to asses the state of affairs of the nation and work out strategies to overcome any challenges that might deter the country’s rapid development,” Protais Musoni, Local Government minister, explained on the phone last evening.

Pointing to significant triumphs which include the country’s food security as being successes of past national dialogues, the minister noted that there has been "tremendous achievements” ever since the event was initiated.

"The whole nation takes it very seriously and implements it.”
A quite optimistic Musoni referred to the participants as "the right mixture” of experiences as they come from different sectors and backgrounds and thus provide enriching discussions.

According to a tentative programme seen by The New Times, apart from grass-roots leaders and others, foreign envoys and representatives of international bodies will also attend.

As tentatively scheduled on Wednesday, after the Premier’s presentation on the last conference’s recommendations, the Ministry of Finance will lead a discussion on the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) paper, an operational tool redefining country priorities. 

The programme of resettling people in imidugudu, or communal settlements, is also on the agenda in addition to the fight against the genocide ideology, corruption and education sector issues.

The minister also explained that many other relevant issues are likely to be brought up.

"We shall discuss all these things, and any other issues. As you know, people can raise issues.”

"Traditionally, mayors will also show the nation how they implemented their mihigo,” he said. 

Imihigo (or district performance contracts) is a traditional accountability mechanism institutionalized in 2006 as a means of enhancing local government reform and stimulate development.

The conference is also expected to focus on the principle of universal jurisdiction, an increasingly controversial issue in international law, and the problems it might cause when misused.

Ends