SUMMARY OF AMAHORO'S POLITICAL PROGRAM

AMAHORO People's Congress is a political alternative to the current dictatorial regime of President Paul Kagame. AMAHORO is created in response to the failure of this regime to promote national reconciliation and to resolve the problems of poverty. Also, this is in response to the violence, corruption, exclusion, and violations of human rights that are the hallmark of President Kagame’s regime.

AMAHORO has the goal of building a State, which is a Nation-State and a Rule of law, based on the values of integrity, justice and equity. Its political program is outlined in nine points: (1) democracy and human rights, (2) national unity and reconciliation, (3) security for people and property, (4) repatriation and socio-economic re-integration of refugees, (5) good governance, (6) promotion of culture, education, and research, (7) National integrated economy, (8) development of social services, (9) re-kindling of international cooperation.

AMAHORO is committed to a Parliamentary system whereby the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government. The Chief of State—who will be a President or a Monarch depending on the result of the referendum—will not be involved in the daily management of the State. He/She will play the role of an arbiter and a guardian of institutions. The Prime Minister and his government will be accountable to the National Assembly.

AMAHORO proposes a bicameral National Assembly, strong, and inclusive of all ethnic groups. All high-ranking political appointees will undergo Parliamentary confirmation. The Representatives and the Senators will be elected from parties provided list of candidates. Women will be represented in all political institutions and decision-making bodies, and will make up at least 30%. The civil society will be granted a consultative role towards the three State powers as well as local and regional political bodies.

Democracy will not limit itself to the separation of powers (the Executive, the Legislative, the Judicial) but will include the democratization of institutions, decentralization, free and fair elections, popular participation, freedom of expression, right to association and movement, as well as an independent press.  Private radio and television stations will be encouraged. 

To rebuild our nation, there ought to be a sincere and in-depth debate on the Hutu-Tutsi problem with the objective to identify the institutional and juridical mechanisms to starve off any further ethnic confrontations.

In order to promote a sustainable reconciliation, and given the complexity of the situation, AMAHORO upholds a restorative justice, while providing severe punishment for the masterminds and other leaders of various crimes. Therefore, a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be created to investigate the genocide of Tutsi, the massacres of Hutus, war crimes, and various human rights violations that have taken place. The commission will determine the motives and the responsibilities of the above-mentioned crimes. It will determine the justice and appropriate compensation of the victims. Furthermore, the commission will propose mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In order to insure security of people and properties, the army and the police will have specific roles. The army will be responsible for the security at the borders while the Police will be responsible for internal security. Both the Army and the Police will be apolitical, inclusive of all ethnic groups, professional, well equipped, and small in numbers. The appointments to high positions must be approved by the National Assembly.

AMAHORO will create a political and economic atmosphere that encourages all refugees to return home. No effort will be spared in this endeavor as not only it is a matter of right to the homeland, but also it will reverse the brain drain from the country. An office will be created to deal with issues of Rwandans who will choose to reside abroad.

Good governance will be promoted at all levels of the state, and the checks and balances mechanisms will be identified and put in place with the help of experts. Integrity, competence, justice and equity, competition and transparency will characterize the management of the common wealth. 

Regarding the national educational system, primary school will be compulsory and free, and adult education will be made available so as to eradicate illiteracy.  The values of integrity, respect of each other’s rights, competence, justice and equity will be taught in all schools.  

The development of education will be promoted by, among other things, the creation of a fund to support research, a loans student fund, and scholarships of excellence to distinguished pupils and students, and adequate pay for teaching personnel. 

With regards to the economy, measures will be taken to assure that any Rwandan will any longer die from hunger. Agriculture and farming will be modernized and land reform will be made a priority. Besides the agriculture sector, a tourist industry will be set up to take advantage of the rare animals and scenic areas that Rwanda has been blessed with.

Economic and financial reforms will be undertaken in accordance with the policy of free market and regional integration.  Private investment will be encouraged, thereby creating more jobs increasing revenues to finance the development of social services and reimbursement of the debt. A campaign against corruption and wastefulness will be the priority of priorities.

Development centers will be built across the country and will replace the forced villagization that is currently taking place. The government will help in the building of decent and affordable housing, and a system of mortgage will be implemented in the urban centers. 

Regarding health care, more efforts will be concentrated in prevention.  Sustained efforts will be undertaken to combat H.I.V/A.I.D.S. and malaria.  An insurance system will be implemented to improve access to health care. A medical coverage will be provided for those in particular needs among orphans, widows and disabled ex-servicemen.

On foreign affairs matters, AMAHORO advocates a strict respect of international conventions, dialogue, and peaceful resolution of conflict. In this vein, Rwandan troops must withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a dialogue with Congo must take place to peacefully resolve Rwandan’s security concerns. AMAHORO will undertake efforts of reconciliation and economic cooperation with the Congolese people as well as with the other people that are currently in conflict with Rwanda.   

AMAHORO is open to other Rwandan organizations that strive for reconciliation, social justice, and democracy in Rwanda. AMAHORO is also open to all the other African and international organizations that strive for the triumph of the same values throughout the world. 

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