BY FELLY KIMENYI On recommendation from the Swedish government, the Ethiopian Ombudsman is in the country on a study tour to see how their Rwandan counterparts operate. “Our office being newly established, we went to Europe seeking support for the institution they instead referred us to Rwanda where the office has been running for some years,” said Abai Tekle, the Ethiopian Chief Ombudsman. Tekle who is leading a team of his two deputies has been in the country since Monday. “We visited different places including a district (Gasabo) where we witnessed how people lodge in their complaints,” Tekle said yesterday after meeting President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro. He said that this experience will benefit his office which he said was still young compared to their Rwandan counterparts. “Through the tour, we have managed to realise the kind of professionals we will be looking at recruiting and the methods of operation,” Tekle said. Rwandan Ombudsman Tito Rutaremara, who accompanied Tekle said that it was a pleasure that Rwanda was recognised by other countries which recommended Rwanda as a case study. “Of course our Office work to satisfy Rwandans but when we get recommendations from other countries it adds more value to our work,” Rutaremara said. He said that during their five-day visit to Rwanda, Ethiopians learned about other incentives that are aimed at solving Rwandan problems including solidarity camps in Mutobo, Northern Province where ex-combattants are taken for training before being integrated into society. “We tried to tell them that the only way you can deal with any problem that comes your way is to make an initiative yourself before rushing to others to help you,” Rutaremara said. He added that he took his colleague to a Gacaca court where they witnessed how justice is dispensed at the Rwanda-initiated traditional court. a “That is even what the president told them, generating a solution to their own problems before rushing to donors,” Rutaremara said. Tekle and his team depart today. Ends
