As Rwanda prepares for parliamentary and presidential election in 2024, the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO) has trained the parties’ conflict prevention and resolution commissioners on the principles of conflict management, especially during the elections season.
The two-day training, which began on Saturday, March 9, brought together parties’ representatives from the City of Kigali. Similar training sessions happened in other provinces in 2023.
Among the discussion on Saturday, the participants were informed about the laws governing political organisations in Rwanda and how the commissioners can use them to solve disputes that may arise as candidates vie for positions.
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"During the lead up to the parliamentary and presidential elections, misunderstandings may arise within a political party because members are competing for a position,” said Claudette Mukabasebya, the deputy spokesperson of the NFPO.
"We have reflected on how a politician and a political party should behave during the lead-up to elections. Someone may not be satisfied during the selection of candidates or satisfied by the position they get during an election,” she said.
"In case a party member is not satisfied, the people in charge of conflict resolution need to explain the principles of power sharing, representativity among others, and explain that all members cannot occupy a single position.”
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Mukabasebya said the participants needed to have necessary skills to deal with any disputes and misunderstandings that may present themselves during elections.
"We understand that many people may compete for one position and that is likely to lead to some conflict, but we always have to have criteria for a candidate and required competencies. So, when parties have principles and standard procedures every person can find a position they deserve and in case of conflict these principles guide us in finding solutions,” said Olivier Mukama, one of the participants.
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For Denise Nyirandorimana, the principle of power sharing that is enshrined in the Rwandan constitution inspires political parties’ conflict prevention and resolution.
"When we have disputes or misunderstandings, we remind ourselves that our country’s constitution determines that political positions should be shared. The same way, we discuss any misunderstanding that may arise and solve them peacefully, showing all sides that people cannot occupy the same positions,” she said.
"If someone is elected today, the other person might be elected for the next term. That is why you find no conflict during elections because Rwandans are aware of this principle.”
Rwandans will vote for the Members of Parliament and the President in July, while Senators will be elected in September.
Campaign period will begin on June 22 and close on July 13 before voting gets underway from July 14 to 16.