AMAHORO-PEOPLE’S
CONGRESS
FORMER
ARENA-ISANGANO
DECLARATION 001/Vol. II/ 2002:FIRST
CONGRESS OF THE PARTY
AMAHORO-PEOPLE’S
CONGRESS held
its first Congress on
May 18-19,2002
in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada, as had
been scheduled by the coordination committee in its March 25, 2002 communiqué
to the members while it was still called ARENA-ISANGANO.
During the Congress, delegates reviewed and assessed the Party’s first year,
reiterated the fundamental principles of the party, adopted its guiding
documents, and elected its first executive committee.
In reference to the first year
and its accomplishments, delegates agreed that, as a result of the launching of
the party in March 2001, Rwandans are more aware of the political situation
prevailing in their country, have engaged in debates concerning the future of
Rwanda, and, for the first time since 1994, have surpassed the ethnic labels
that had crippled the people.
In regard to the recent
difficulties that were caused by anti-democratic practices, the congress decided
to expel Mr.
Joseph K. Sebarenzi, Mr. Joseph Ngarambe, Mr. Deus Kagiraneza, Mr. Gerard
Karangwa, Mr. Augustin Kamongi,
and Mr. Emmanuel Kaviziya from the party.
In response to the false
declarations issued in our name, and after revisiting the principles and
strategies of the party, the participants opted to change the name of the party
from ARENA-ISANGANO to AMAHORO-PEOPLE’S CONGRESS, which best reflect the core
values of the organization. All
assets have been transferred to AMAHORO-People’s Congress and the Congress has
ordered all living documents, the party’s website http://www.newrwanda.org,
the official email address arena_isangano@yahoogroups.com,
the party’s physical address, and the party’s discussion groups be updated
to reflect the name change within the next seven days.
AMAHORO-People’s Congress
reiterates its commitments to the freedom of the people to participate in the
debates and decisions that affect their lives.
AMAHORO-People’s Congress, mindful of Rwandan history, advocates for a parliamentarian system in the framework of a consociational democracy. This type of governance backed with decentralization of power, and the application of a fair and impartial justice, which is not only punitive but also restorative, will lead to a more stable and peaceful society in Rwanda.
The
congress adopted the fundamental documents of the
party and elected its first
executive committee, namely:
Alexandre Kimenyi, President.
Jeff Nsengimana, Vice President.
Gratien Rudakubana, Secretary General.
AMAHORO
People’s Congress maintains that only peaceful means can bring about lasting
solutions to the issues facing our country.
We stand ready to work with any organization that advocates for change in
Rwanda through peaceful means.
Done
in Ottawa, Canada, May 20, 2002.
Alexandre
Kimenyi,
President.