A delegation from the African Union on Thursday urged the Rwandan Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to actively participate in the activities of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (Ecosocc) of the continental body.

Lazarous Kapambwe, the special advisor to the African Union Commission chairperson, said they were in the country to encourage local CSOs to participate in the forthcoming General Assembly of Ecosocc.

"We recognise that involving people in governance is a serious challenge,” he said.

In response to Rwanda’s failure to participate in previous engagements by Ecosocc, Edouard Munyamaliza, the president of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, attributed it to ineffective communication within the AU Commission.

"There is need for effective communication at the AU. Rwandan CSOs applied to take part in the Ecosocc 2012 and 2013 elections but we didn’t get any response, either declining our application or explaining why we were not selected.

Ecosocc is responsible for forging partnerships between governments and the civil society, in particular women, the youth, children, private sector and professional groups.

Ecosocc will elect its 150-members of the 2nd General Assembly, from the African civil society organisations both within the continent and in Diaspora.

Michel Makuza, the Director of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advised the Rwandan CSOs to ensure that Rwanda registers and participates in Ecosocc activities.

"The challenge facing our continent is how to foster auto-centred development, a development process rooted in our needs, and that responds appropriately to the requirements of our situation. Such a development path must be people–centred,” Makuza says.