Let us prioritize our New Year’s resolutions wisely

It is now increasingly clear that 2008 will see a conclusion of quite a lot that has been unaccomplished this year. For example, by the end of 2008 we will have a good idea whether Rwanda will have fully joined Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in a capital share of the East African Development Bank. We will also know for sure whether the mandate of the Arusha based, UN-International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has been a success story and whether all the fugitives responsible for the 1994 genocide are successfully brought to book. By the end of 2008, we will be anxious to know whether Amavubi has proceeded to the group stages of their patriotic road to the FIFA 2010 World Cup campaigns. In early 2008, Rwanda would certainly be the first country in the region to produce about 100 Mega Watts of electricity from Methane gas. It will also probably be the only East African country with no tax changes proposed in the year 2008 pending harmonization in the EAC budgets. Within the confines of the year 2008, we would love to see a peaceful disarmament of all ex-FAR / Interahamwe and the FDRL rebels as pledged by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We would love to have fair agreements with the European Union on the pertinent issues of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that are still pending. We also need to resolve that Rwanda makes a much more apparent contribution to the region’s political and economic models and that in 2008, we in full gear prepare for the 2009 harmonized EA monetary and customs union. The year 2008 comes with the staging of the Beijing, Olympics. Rwanda’s athletes must undoubtedly resolve not to be spectators but flag bearers at this global event. They will have to carry gold back home. However, all resolutions should be accompanied with commitment, follow-ups and monitoring if they are to be met. Best wishes to all in 2008.