'Umushyikirano': Why Rwandans yearn for the annual National Dialogue Council

January 23 and January 24, 2024 were significant days in Rwanda’s history as the country’s Head of State, Paul Kagame, chaired the 19th National Dialogue Council.

The meeting was attended by 2,000 delegates comprising Rwandan citizens, Rwandans in the diaspora, State and non-State actors, religious leaders and the diplomatic community.

Rwandans refer to this dialogue conference as ‘Umushyikirano,’ which translates to a meeting where participants exchange ideas and raise questions on pertinent issues touching on governance with a view of steering the country to greater heights.

In June 2003, the first National Dialogue Council was held in Rwanda; it has since become an annual event, and established by Article 168 of the Constitution. Rwandans meet to take stock of the nation’s progress, hits and misses in the past year and find solutions to problems facing the community every day.

So momentous is the conference that Rwandans from all walks of life follow the proceedings of the convention through the media, on social platforms and different centres established in every province of the country.

But why is this ‘Umushyikirano’ conference important to the citizens and what significance does it have on the country’s economic and social direction?

The ‘Umushyikirano’ conference gives citizens an opportunity to raise their concerns with the national and local governments and share ideas on how to better the country. This is their chance  to sit with leaders at the decision-making table for rapid and sustainable development.

Some of the issues that have been discussed since the council was established in 2003 include matters education, health, transport, service delivery and national unity. The Head of State chairs the conference and gets time to listen to the challenges that Rwandans face and resolutions are made for the next year, making it an all-inclusive forum.

Interestingly, the resolutions made in the conference are followed and a progress report given in the next conference.

A section of Rwandans who spoke to Citizen Digital say the annual conference has won the hearts of many citizens who are keen to follow the proceedings, the resolutions made and the achievements that follow soon after the government begins implementing the decisions reached at the dialogue council.

One of the resolutions made during the National Dialogue Council that were followed and yielded fruit include the launch of the Agaciro Development Fund in August 2012. This fund that was set up to build public savings to maintain stability in times of shocks to the national economy and accelerate Rwanda’s socio-economic development goals.

 The Agaciro Development Fund was birthed during the 9th ‘Umushyikirano’ conference.

“These events have been very productive; take, for example, a decision to create the national sovereign fund came from this dialogue, one of the members of the public suggested why doesn’t the nation have its own sovereign fund and it was established, and it is performing very well,” Edwin Musoni, a Rwandan, said.

“The dialogue forums provide an avenue for Kagame to give us wise counsel on how we should lead our lives and how to solve our problems,” Alain Numa, another Rwandan, opined.

During the 18th edition of the National Dialogue Council in 2023, one of the many resolutions that were made included the improvement of public transport, which citizens  say has been implemented as 100 new buses were introduced in Kigali city late last year.

During the 19th National Dialogue Council held at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente gave a progress report of the country’s 7-year implementation strategic plan 2017-2024 dubbed ‘National Strategy for Transformation (NTS1)’ and panel discussions centered on economic resilience, Rwanda’s journey of unity and resilience as the country prepares to mark 30 years since the 1994 genocide and youth leadership in shaping the country’s future.

In his closing remarks, President Kagame encouraged Rwandans to unite, remain resilient in their quest for a better country and continent.

The resolutions of the 19th National Dialogue Council will be made public in due course.