Legislative power: another reflection of the country.

     

 

‘’I want’ to motivate my fellow youth. I want to show them it is possible.’’ This phrase stayed in my mind since I talked to him. Young, educated, and open-minded young man, that’s who he is if I can define him. He was showing me the reason why he wanted to join the parliament. We were talking about different problems our country is facing, which were the reason he decided to run for the seat as a member of parliament and address them.

Our society, and many African societies, considers politics as a thing of the old people. Bobi Wine in Uganda and Julius Malema in South Africa, are one of the young parliamentarians that are vocal of the problems their people face. Despite criticism they face, they are iconic politicians my generation witnesses. Old politicians especially in Africa are conservative on their ways of doing business, and few of them listen to the youth voice. The youth now are taking the matter in their hands and hold accountable the politicians especially parliamentarians.

It is now starting to be like a wild fire, taking the whole continent. After witnessing what political observers called democratic military coups in west Africa, now the youth in east Africa are taking matters into their hands.

Back to what my good friend said, showing the youth that it is possible to take responsibility is the only solution to resolve current political disasters Africa is facing. Africa is a continent with the youngest population, this should dictate the fact that they should occupy majority seats into their parliaments and initiate changes they want to see, unfortunately few of us engages into politics.

Michel Rocard clarified the assignment very clear and he said "If you don't take care of politics, it will take care of you". Kenyan youth remembered to take care of their politics when it was late. Even though it was not too late to do something to change the situation as President Ruto decided to chill and talk to them this is a sign that youth can initiate change.

My father always tells me that, youth are the ones who changes most of the things in the society because they are the ones who will face those situations in the long future. Young Ugandans also said enough is enough, and they called for demonstrations and march to the parliament. The response was not an easy one as Museveni learnt what happed in Kenya and sent a big size of military and police personnel in the streets to control the situation prior to the main event.

What is happening in the region, it is a wake-up call to parliamentarians that they should work for the people who voted them into their functions.

On Monday, July 15 2024, Rwanda decided who will lead them as the president and their representative in the parliament. Youth nowadays are facing a huge problem of un employment on top of that the cost of living is very high. The youth from Kenya responded in their own way and young Ugandans are trying to do the same. How will Rwandan youth address this problem? How will these parliamentarians address this problem and find solutions?

I was listening to the X space that President Ruto was engaging with the young Kenyans,….  man, those guys were really upset. Later as a response he fired some members of the cabinet, and made other changes.

Our political class should not wait till the young people get upset. Rwanda did her best to please the youth but it doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It is up to the newly elected deputies to debate thoroughly to the problems our society is facing especially the youth.

Deputies represent the general population, when they sit together discussing matters affecting our society, they’re most importantly representing our voices. As the new ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES in article 18; on responsibilities and powers of the plenary Assembly which is the supreme organ of the Chamber of Deputies. It has responsibilities among them: to debate and pass Laws; to exercise control over Government activities in accordance with relevant legislation.[1] If our representative, improves their performance in controlling over the government activities, we won’t face what our neighbors are facing.

We should be self-motivated to participate in our politics and have a say in it. I share the same idea with my friend who was courageous enough to participate by himself and showed us that it is possible. Despite lacking the chance to be on the list of candidates, it was brave enough of him to have the idea and try it.   

Both the senate and the chamber of deputies their main function is to represent the population and passing legislation. By just reminding them that they work for the people, the legislation they pass reflects whether they are representing the people or their own interests.

As stipulated in article 65 of this new organic law determining the functioning of the chamber of deputies[2], on responsibilities of the Committee on education, technology, Culture, Sports and Youth. The article explains that; the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, sports and Youth is responsible for issues relating to: learning and teaching in levels of formal and special need education; libraries and archives; reading and writing culture; technology; research; culture, creativity, art and literature; sports and entertainment; youth. This committee has huge responsibilities, of shaping a future Rwandan citizen who has hope skills and determination to bult a better Rwanda.

These young people from the neighboring countries are getting tired of their representative because they are tired of promises without being realized. Youth are the most dynamic people, who need more attention. As this committee is also tasked with research it is a good thing to learn and update their point of views and find better solutions to the problems the young Rwandans are facing.

Quick tip on the sessions of the chamber of deputies and adoption of resolutions. The Chamber of Deputies sits every year in three ordinary sessions. Each session lasts for two months: the first session which commences on 05 October to end on 04 December; the second session which commences on 05 February to end on 04 April; the third session which commences on 05 June to end on 04 August. When the first or last day of the session is not a working day, the opening or closure of the session is adjourned to the first following working day. The Chamber of Deputies meets in extraordinary session convened by its speaker, after consultation with other members of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies or at the request of the President of the Republic or at a written request from a quarter of the members of the Chamber of Deputies. During the extraordinary session, only the issues which motivated its convening and which have been brought to the notice of members of the Chamber of Deputies or of the entire Parliament before commencement of the session are dealt with. An extraordinary session cannot exceed 15 days.[3]

It is clear that the way our representative conducts their business is very clear, this gives us hope that even though, an emergent problem may arise, extra ordinary session is there to be sued to find solutions to the emerging problem.  

The protesters in Kenya are saying that their problems were ignored for so long, and their solution…………., well they showed it and it was not supposed to reach at that level. This law is showing us even though the problem might be new law makers are supposed to meet and find solution.

These problems that we are seeing are making us the people to focus more on seeing how our governments are working for us. I hope this new law will be a new chance to do better.

The problem was sparked by the bill, which was obviously suggested without a debating enough on it, without putting the citizen’s interest first. To prevent this in Rwanda, deputies are required simply to follow what this law provides. Article 147, shows the consideration of the relevance of a draft law or a private member’s bill. It stipulates that; during the debate on the relevance of a draft law or private member’s bill, the Deputy who initiated the private member’s bill or the representative of the Government provides key explanations showing the Plenary Assembly the relevance of the draft law or private member’s bill, especially how it will help implement existing policy, law in force or international treaty.[4] By keeping the interest of the people at heart we will not face what our neighbors are facing. By simply providing key explanations and reflects policies that reflects the problem, this will lead to having a society which trusts its representative.

Vising the population should be more often. The way people complain which is often seen in news especially people in the rural areas, visiting them and the rest of the population should be often. After all they represent them; staying in offices shouldn’t be the main focus. Yes, they have a lot of job to do but they should also keep the balance. Article 167 paragraph one stipulates that; Each Deputy has the duty to visit the population in order to learn about good actions being implemented for their benefit and their own accomplishments and to hear their concerns.[5]

There are offices that are incompatible with the office of deputy. Offices incompatible with the office of Deputy are those of being: the President of the Republic; a Cabinet member; a Senator; a member of the Village Executive Committee, a member of the Cell Council, the Sector Council, the District Council or Kigali City Council; a Governor of the Province; a staff member of decentralized administrative entities; a Judge; a Prosecutor; an investigator; a member of one of the national commissions or specific organs provided for by the Constitution or other organs that may be set up by law; a member of the board of directors in a public institution or a body in which the State is a shareholder or an auditor of such a body; a director of a company or a member of its board of directors; a civil servant or an employee in a public institution; a contractual employee; a member of electoral organs; a member of Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National Police, the National Intelligence and Security Service, the Rwanda Correctional Service or the District Administration Security Support Organ; a member of the leadership of associations, national non-governmental organizations as well as faith-based organisations, except those founded by Deputies for them to smoothly deliver mission; a member of the Professional Bailiffs Association or a notary. On top of that; a Deputy practicing as a lawyer is not allowed to personally plead any court case. His/her law firm is allowed to plead in any court cases except those in which the State is the plaintiff or the defendant.[6]

Parliamentarians have immunity, they cannot be prosecuted, searched for, arrested, detained or tried in respect of opinions expressed or votes cast in the discharge of his/her functions. A Deputy suspected of a felony or a misdemeanour cannot be prosecuted or arrested without prior authorization of the Chamber of Deputies by a two-thirds majority vote of Deputies present at the plenary sitting except where he or she is caught red-handed committing a felony or a misdemeanour.[7]

People can request or petition addressed to the chamber of deputies.[8]  A citizen or a group of citizens may submit a public petition to the Chamber of Deputies by writing to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. They can also submit it orally during an event organized by the Chamber of Deputies for the purpose of exchanging views with the population or conducting a field visit. In addition; a citizen has the right to submit a public petition to the Chamber of Deputies. A citizen or a group of citizens with a public petition submit it to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in a written document bearing their signatures or fingerprints. They can also make use of electronic means.[9]

On the matter of voting on the State Budget; the consideration of the relevance of the draft law on state finances and its vote are carried out by the Chamber of Deputies.[10] Deputies’ assignment is clearly having people at heart. Taxes should not be a burden to the people while they have representatives who votes the state budget.  

Even though, he didn’t get a chance to be a member of the parliament, he showed me that it is possible more importantly to have courage in participating in finding solution to my people. As a lawyer, it is a wake-up call, to use may skills especially legal drafting to solve challenges that my country is facing. The more our laws serve the people, the more it reflects the progress of our country.

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[1] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, Article 18

[2] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 65

[3] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 126,130

[4] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 147

[5] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 167 Paragraph 1

[6] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 172

[7] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 182

[8] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 191

[9] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 192

[10] Official Gazette n° 30 Bis of 22/07/2024, ORGANIC LAW N° 002/2024.OL OF 12/07/2024 DETERMINING THE

FUNCTIONING OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES Article 199 paragraph 5