CNLS, NGOs sign deal

NYARUGENGE - The National AIDS Control Commission (CNLS) and local NGOs have signed a five year deal to fight against the HIV/IADS in the country. The deal signed yesterday at CNLS Head office in Kigali was perceived by both sides as a revolution in the national campaign to control the global pandemic. Those who signed include Rwanda NGO Forum on HIV/AIDS, Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA-Rwanda) and the Network of Religious Confession in fighting against AIDS (RCLS-RWANDA). Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, the CNLS Executive Secretary said that the deal took a leaf from the One UN reform initiative in which Rwanda is among the pilot countries for its implementation. According to her, Rwanda as a signatory to the Common Operational Document (COD) for One UN system, needs to totally execute what the system requires in AIDS control.Binagwaho noted that the time has come for civil society’s role in AIDS control and social development to be coordinated with that of government. “Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) relies on that,” she pointed out, adding that the deal will help her institution to easily evaluate its partners’ efforts. “Since we are the coordinating body of the government’s effort in AIDS control, there is no other valuable action to be taken outside our mandate,” Binagwaho warned. She said that their coordination is an inevitable gesture for Rwanda to look for ways to strengthen the efficiency and coherence of the One UN system at the country level. Therese Zeba, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative said that the EDPRS element of population and nutrition stipulates why the pact is necessary. “The international community looks at the government as the main body for AIDS control. It is therefore the government’s task to harmonise its efforts with that of civil society,” she said. Aimable Mwananawe, the Chairman of Rwanda NGO forum on AIDS welcomed the move saying it will streamline their roles in order to abide with what the CNLS expects of them. Only members with clear goals and vision will be allowed to sign and benefit from government support. Ends