Dr. Frank Habineza Discusses Green Party Growth, Taxation, and Rwanda’s Diplomatic Stance

Dr. Frank Habineza, president of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), emphasized the party’s commitment to empowering its members and driving policy innovation at the opening of the party’s two-day political bureau meeting and training session in Kigali this weekend. The event gathered party members from across the country, providing a platform for in-depth discussions on both internal development and national issues.

In his address, Habineza outlined the meeting’s key objectives, which centered on strengthening the party’s structure and developing policies that resonate with the Rwandan people. A major highlight of the gathering was the reappointment of 12 party commissioners and their commission members, each tasked with the responsibility of shaping the party’s direction at local and national levels.

“We have 12 commissioners, each leading a commission composed of seven members, who were re-appointed and approved during this political bureau meeting. Their roles are critical in developing ideas that reflect the needs of people on the ground,” Dr. Habineza explained. “We expect them to bring these ideas into policy briefs or papers that will be used by our members in Parliament and government institutions.”

The training session covered a variety of themes, including party ideology and sustainable livelihoods. According to Habineza, educating members about the party’s core values is a continuous process. “We do this training regularly to ensure that our members are always aligned with the party’s ideology and principles,” he said.

One of the key focuses of the session was on sustainable livelihood projects designed to help uplift the most vulnerable groups in Rwandan society, particularly youth and women. The party has already implemented projects across 10 districts, focusing on areas such as chicken rearing and other agricultural activities. Habineza stressed that even small investments, such as 50,000 or 100,000 Rwandan francs, can yield meaningful results.

“Sometimes people think that small amounts of money are not enough to make a difference. But we want to show that even modest resources can lead to impactful projects that improve lives and fight poverty,” he said.

Looking ahead, the party will also conduct training on communication strategies to better engage with the people and convey their ideas. Habineza emphasized the importance of revising the party’s communication strategy, enabling it to reach more people and have a greater impact on Rwanda’s development.

On Taxation and Economic Concerns

One of the most pressing national issues discussed during the meeting was the recent decision by the Rwandan government to impose taxes on wedding ceremony planners and individuals involved in such events. Dr. Habineza shared the DGPR’s stance on taxation, which advocates for minimal tax hikes that do not burden the population or stifle the economy.

“We do not oppose taxes, but we believe they should be reasonable,” Habineza stated. “Hiking taxes can hurt the economy and drive people to evade taxes or resort to fraudulent practices. It’s important that the government consults more with the public before imposing such taxes, especially on small businesses like wedding planners, which may suffer from such changes.”

While acknowledging the government’s need for alternative sources of funding due to reductions in foreign aid, Habineza called for greater dialogue on taxation policies to ensure they do not negatively affect citizens’ livelihoods.

Rwanda-Belgium Diplomatic Relations

The interview also touched on the recent diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Belgium, particularly regarding Belgium’s criticism of Rwanda’s handling of security issues in the Eastern DRC. Dr. Habineza defended Rwanda’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Belgium, describing it as a necessary action in response to Belgium’s stance on the matter.

“Rwanda took the right decision to cut diplomatic ties with Belgium,” he stated firmly. “Belgium had been actively supporting actions against Rwanda, encouraging international sanctions. This was an attempt to harm Rwanda, and by severing these ties, Rwanda sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.”

Habineza, however, noted that Rwanda’s relationship with Belgium, rooted in historical ties as the former colonial power, remains important. “Despite the break in diplomatic ties, we recognize that Belgium has been an important partner to Rwanda in various sectors. We hope that at some point in the future, dialogue can resume and relations can be restored.”

He condemned Belgium’s approach, arguing that diplomatic efforts should focus on peaceful conflict resolution. “Belgium should have engaged in dialogue with Rwanda and addressed the root causes of the security concerns, rather than supporting actions that harm Rwanda’s economy and stability,” he said.

In line with the DGPR’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, Habineza reiterated the party’s position of non-violence and its dedication to seeking diplomatic solutions. “We stand by the principle of non-violence,” he stated. “All countries must seek peaceful solutions to conflicts, and we urge the international community to focus on resolving issues through dialogue.”