Rwanda urged to join regional senatorial body

Rwanda’s Senate has been encouraged to join the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab world (ASSECA), an association of senates in 22 Sub-Sahara African and Arab countries.The call was made by Burundi’s Senate President Gabriel Ndizeye, who is the current chair of ASSECA.He delivered the message to Senate President Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo during a meeting at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kigali yesterday.A shoora or shura council is an Arab terminology meaning consultative council which is the upper house of parliament in Arab countries.Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ndizeye said by joining the association, Rwanda would benefit from sharing best practices with other countries that have bicameral parliaments.Dr Ntawukuriryayo said that his institution will consider the proposal in consultation with the executive since there is a cost implication in form of membership contributions.“I do not see the problem with Rwandan Senate becoming a member of ASSECA,” he said.ASSECA Secretary General Ali Abdul Yousuf, who accompanied Ndizeye, highlighted the economic benefits in ASSECA saying; “With money that is made by the Arab world from petroleum and Sub-Sahara Africa’s natural resources, both parties stand to gain from the cooperation”.Rwanda’s senate came into existence in 2003 following the constitution provided for a bicameral parliament. The association, which is headquartered in Yemen was founded in 2004 bringing together 22 Arab shoora councils and senates from Sub Saharan Africa.Burundi is the only East African Community country in the eight-year old forum.Kenya, one of the five EAC partner states, last year promulgated a new constitution with a provision on the establishment of a bicameral parliamentary system.

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Rwanda urged to join regional senatorial body