- Rwanda has suffered yet another blow after its application to join the 53-member English-speaking Commonwealth bloc was questioned over its alleged bad human rights record and media repression.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Rwanda’s recent military intervention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, strict laws baring genocide ideology and harassment of independent journalists are some of the issues in question before its accession.
Rwanda's application to join the bloc will be considered at the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November, with its bid being strongly supported by the UK and its African neighbours.
Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame believes Commonwealth membership will offer economic, cultural and political benefits to his country.
The CHRI has however, acknowledged that Rwanda's government investment on health and education over the past 15 years, including bridging the gender parity and having half the legislature as female, as a positive move.
It further commended the country for low corruption and the work ethic of government officials which has put neighbouring countries to shame.
But the initiative, whose report was prepared by Professor Yash Pal Ghai, a Kenyan constitutional expert, said Rwanda's governance was wanting and its human rights record was "very poor".
It said Rwandan troops had carried out abuses during three incursions into Congo, and that the Gacaca (community justice) courts established to try genocide suspects violated international standards.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español