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Rwamagana: Youth urged to embrace politics
The youth from the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) have urged other young people to embrace politics and strive to play their part in the governance of their country.
The call comes as some of the youth fear joining politics due to the Rwanda’s tragic political history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed over one million victims.
As such more youth have lost interest in politics including affiliating themselves to political parties.
“After the genocide I was afraid of affiliating to any political party because I felt it was an ideology that leads to wrongdoing,” Benoit, Ndagijimana, a 37-year-old from Rwamagana district said.
Ndagijimana is now a leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda in Rwamagana district.
He admits he was inspired by the party leader at National Level Dr. Frank Habineza who encouraged them to be part of 'the solution' in people’s welfare through political parties.
For Jacky Masozera, there should be no reason for the youth to shy away from joining politics especially being members of political parties as they are examples of politicians who played a role in national building.
She gave an example of those who liberated the country and stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Due to the history of our country, there are young people who are afraid of politics, but they should know that apart from those bad politicians they rely on, there are those who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country and stopped the genocide who could inspire them,” said Masozera.
Jeanne Mukandanga, another youth from Rwamagana district, being a member of political party helps one to express their views. She currently contributes to fighting malnutrition by planting fruits trees.
Leonard Gashugi who is the party’s second Vice President urged the young people to join politics because there are no other options.
“Most of the people who participated in the liberation of our country were youth, and they have now almost grown and they are going out of politics, it is youth’s race now.”
“So we encourage the youth to participate in politics, because it is part of us, if you don’t play politics, politics will play you. So we encourage them to contribute meaningfully in our politics, especially through the democratic process and governance, through voting and elections, respect rule of law, respect of human rights,” he added.
In its effort to value youth empowerment in constructive politics, the Green Party is setting up youth and women’s committees at the districts level. The party held an event on June 11, 2022, in Rwamagana district and currently, such committees have been set up in four other districts.
