Speaker tips Somalis on development

Leaders should put public interest above self, the Speaker of Parliament, Donatile Mukabalisa, told a visiting Somali delegation led by Omar Ali, the chief of staff of the Somali Federal Government. Mukabalisa was responding to one of the members of the delegation, Abla Elmi, who asked what the Somali people could do to redevelop their country. The Somali delegation follow proceedings at Parliament yesterday. “Despite a turbulent history, Rwanda is doing well economically, socially and politically. I want to knowwhich advice you could give us to take home and use it to build our country?” Abla saked. “A country’s development depends on its government’s vision and what you want to achieve as a people. It is the only advice I can give you,” Mukabalisa responded. Somali delegates applaud at Parliament yesterday. “Despite the consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as Rwandans we were not held back, but remained focused on rebuilding our country,” she added. She noted that Rwandans showed resilience in rebuilding their country and maintained the momentum of socio-economic transformation. Speaker Mukabalisa (L) chats with Omar Ali, the Chief of Staff of the Somali Federal Government. Mukabalisa advised the Somalis to shun ethnic divisionism, and racial discrimination which, she said, lead to unrest. Somalia now experiences relative peace but the notorious Islamist al-Shabaab terrorists, which have links to al-Qaeda, still remains a threat. In Kigali since Monday, the delegation is attending a conference aimed at mobilising and harnessing Somali Diaspora for national reconciliation and development. Some of the Somali women delegates take selfies at Parliament yesterday. (All photos by John Mbanda) The conference was organised by the Somali Foreign Affairs ministry, African Union, and African Union Mission in Somalia. MP Julienne Uwase, the Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, told the group that Rwanda’s policies that allow Diaspora community to participate in national development such as Rwanda Day events, National Dialogue and providing dual citizenship were worth emulating. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Speaker tips Somalis on development