Vows to continue recognising Beraho

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered the Ministry of Sports and Culture to liberate the local Olympic Committee (RNOC).

In a letter addressed to the Sports and Culture minister Joseph Habineza, IOC Relations Director Pere Miro said that the government should respect the autonomy of the body and must in no way intervene in or interfere with the internal affairs of the body.

Quoting the provisions of rules 28.5, 28.6 and 28.9 of the Olympic Charter, both IOC and Anoca (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa) insist that the electoral process for the upcoming general elections (November 29) should be run by disbanded executive committee as opposed to the interim committee which is headed by Aimable Bayingana, the president of the national cycling federation (Ferwacy).

The IOC and Anoca have vowed to continue recognising Ignace Beraho as the legitimate RNOC president. Miro further added that IOC will not recognise the ‘interim committee’, as mentioned earlier to oversee and conduct the elections.

The IOC also ordered for the return of all RNOC materials and freeing the body’s bank accounts.

IOC warned that should the government continue to frustrate the day to day affairs of the Olympic body, they risk being sanctioned as stipulated in the Olympic Charter- Rule 28.9.

Which states that apart from the measures and sanctions provided in the case of infringement of the Olympic Charter, the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of an NOC, including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law or other regulations in force in the country concerned, or any act by any governmental or other body causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will are hampered.

However, Sports minister Joseph Habineza remains unmoved, insisting that he will stand by his actions. "Every organisation in this country must abide by the rules. Everything was done in accordance to the law.”
"Everything will continue as planned.

The general assembly reached an agreement recently and I encourage the IOC to come to witness the affairs for themselves,” the minister adamantly added.

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