The Annual General Meeting of the ongoing African Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), African group, yesterday, officially admitted the Rwandan Parliament as its 19th member.

This was shortly after the session also voted Hon. Rose Mukantabana, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, as vice-president of the conference in accordance with the CPA Africa constitution.

Demetrius Mgalami, the Assistant Regional Secretary of CPA-Africa, tabled the motion admitting the Rwandan parliament, shortly before it was moved by Mary Meboka Muyali Boya of Cameroon.

It was seconded by Asser Kapere from Namibia.

"Honourable President, I move to second the motion to submit the parliament of Rwanda as the 19th national branch of the CPA Africa region,” Kapere said.

After the vote, Mukantabana accepted the honour and thanked the House on behalf of her country.

"On behalf of the Rwandan Parliament, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude that Rwanda is admitted as the 19th national branch of the CPA Africa region,” Mukantabana said.

"It is also an honour for my country, Rwanda, the Rwandan parliament and myself, to be elected as vice-president of the CPA Africa region. I thank you all and I accept the position.”

Mukantabana is expected to be vice-president for the duration of the meeting, after which she will assume a one-year presidency of the forum.

Rwanda is hosting the 42nd African CPA annual conference, under the theme: "Consolidating Growth and Development."

Thematic sessions which begin today include the issue of food security and sustainable livelihood and the role of Parliament in mitigating the impact of genetically modified crops on poverty and food security.

Democracy, good governance, gender, terrorism, piracy and the challenge of Parliaments in safeguarding the national development interests in an atmosphere where the executive plays a dominant role, will also be on the agenda.

Ends