Now that Rwanda is a membe

Among the major issues that trailed the acceptance of bid was the series of sparked criticism over the countries human right records.                                                                                                                                              However, questions like why would Rwanda abandon its master, France and her bloc for the Anglophone bloc? According to statistics available, there are economic benefits that attract non-members. With its membership of […]

Among the major issues that trailed the acceptance of bid was the series of sparked criticism over the countries human right records.                                                                                                                                             

However, questions like why would Rwanda abandon its master, France and her bloc for the Anglophone bloc?

According to statistics available, there are economic benefits that attract non-members. With its membership of 53 countries, before Rwanda, the newest baby joined, the Commonwealth constitutes over 40 per cent of the World Trade Organization, making it influential in global trade.

Commonwealth countries handle trade worth $2.8 trillion annually and with foreign direct investment outflows of $100 billion, which account for more than 20 per cent of international trade and investment.

As part of the human rights huddle that faced the new member, a recent report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative said Rwanda’s adherence to international law, its speech, press freedoms and community justice system were not up to global standards and recommended against accepting its bid to join the Commonwealth this year.

But in reaction, Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali, said that the accusations had no basis. “Rwanda should be looked at in the context of where it has come from,” she said.                                                                                                                                       

In the same sort of debate which boils on the human right, Professor Yash Pal Ghai, a Kenyan-born expert in constitutional law and author of an independent report for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) said:

“From the very beginning, the governments of the Commonwealth had decided they wanted Rwanda in. The secretary general, Britain and Uganda have all been pushing for that outcome.”

But in another perspective, supporters of the membership idea have argued that entry into the body would encourage Kigali to raise its standards, but critics counter that it will “lower the body’s average” and make it harder to take actions against other erring states – such as Fiji, currently suspended for refusing to call elections – that transgress in future as well as other abuses being committed.

“The Commonwealth stands for very little if it doesn’t stand for human rights and democracy,” said Tom Porteous, head of Human Rights Watch in London.

 “Admitting Rwanda will make it harder for the Commonwealth to project itself as a credible promoter of these values.”

Rwanda, a former German colony, which later came under a Belgian mandate from the League of Nations, applied in 2007 to join the Commonwealth. This followed a breakdown in relations with France, as both countries traded accusations over events in the build-up to the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda is reported to have trumpeted its Commonwealth credentials with the switch from French to English instruction in schools last year, and won acclaim for low levels of corruption and high health and education spending.

Suspicions persist that, beyond talk of deepening trade and improving cultural ties, Commonwealth diplomats are tempted by the prospect of cementing such a public defection from the Francophone world.

“This British-French rivalry is a batty reason,” declared Professor Ghai, who said diplomats responded with “glee and pleasure” at the Rwanda membership.

 According to an expert in international relations, Dr Ladan Tanko, “Joining Commonwealth is very important to Rwanda. As a country, it definitely has a lot to gain from British colonies. Compared to other colonial blocs, British colonies are relatively more advanced in democracy and civilization compared to others. Some of these countries are also doing very well in the area of peace and development.

Economically, a lot of them have advanced, even though there are some who allow themselves to lag behind. So by joining, Rwanda will benefit from the business opportunities they offer.’’

In another response to the inclusion, Senator Joseph Karemera from Kigali said, “we trade more with English speaking countries, we share cultures with most of them so it will definitely work to our advantage to be part of their bloc.”

“This is a great opportunity for our nation, we are joining a bigger family that has developed, developing and under developed countries as member states.’’

He further said that Rwanda will benefit from the big diplomacy muscle; the commonwealth has over 2 billion people.  “Rwanda being part of this big population means that our voice will make a bigger impact on the world stage.’’

In terms of direct benefits, there is much to gain in the education, health, trade and development and other sectors.

“A simple example is that when our president makes friends with members of the commonwealth, money comes to Rwanda; imagine now when we join the bloc.’’

On the mutual relationship benefit, Dr Tanko opined that the so called big member states would also benefit from Rwanda.

“It will serve as an opportunity for Rwanda to share experiences with other Common Wealth members and learn from the success stories Rwanda has registered. Rwanda has practical and tested solutions in conflict management and prevention. It will be able to share this with other member countries.”