Political Reforms take center stage in Security Symposium

The National Security Symposium organized by RDF Command and Staff College entered the second day with three topics on schedule. The first topic was “Challenges of political reforms in Africa and the ways in which such reforms may enhance domestic and regional security” by Dr. Golooba Mutebi as speaker and Hon Gasamagera Wellars as the discussant.

They discussed issues of elections and democracy in African Nations and how they affect the security. The panelists underlined that democracy and good governance are good ideals for the society.  However they said that African countries should not be imposed on the Western style democracy because they have their own culture and priorities.

The second topic of the day was “Rwanda’s international relations: challenges and prospects” with main speaker Omar Kalfan and Oscar Kimanuka as discussant. They analyzed Rwanda’s foreign policy from pre-colonial period up to now. In pre-colonial and colonial period Rwanda’ foreign policy remained poorly defined. Discussants said that after independence Rwanda’s foreign policy was largely shaped by foreign interests.

After 1994 genocide against Tutsi, in parallel with the social and economic transformation, Rwanda has taken an active role in international affairs seeking good and peaceful relations, contribution in global and regional security including contribution in peacekeeping missions.

Rwanda has got a seat non-permanent member seat at UN Security Council for 2013-2014, which is another achievement. The speakers posited that foreign direct investment is a key foreign policy objective and engagement of Rwanda’s diaspora is taken as a key component.

The third topic was “Decentralization towards achieving national security objectives” presented by Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza as the main speaker with Dr. Golooba Mutebi and Dr Ugirashebuja Emmanuel as discussants.

They analyzed Decentralisation as a form of governance that has transferred power and capacity to lower leadership levels which has paid many dividends to Rwanda and other African countries.

The discussants said that Decentralization has allowed the grassroots and the populace to have a stake on their governance and seek accountability and transparency from their leaders.

The discussants also analyzed that Decentralisation triggers people in finding homegrown solutions to their problems and cited many achievements Rwanda has made in education, health and other sectors as concrete examples.

The three day Security Symposium, which is an annual event at RDF Command and Staff College that debate security challenges will conclude today Friday May 9, 2014 presided over by Hon Gen James Kabarebe.