Inter-Parliamentary Union - British Group - PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM Burundi 20-24 March 2006


	Print this page

Delegation Reports

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM BURUNDI: 20 – 24 MARCH 2006

Delegation

Hon. Immaculee Nahayo
Speaker of the National Assembly
CNDD-FDD Party

Hon. Didace Kiganahe
2nd Vice President National Assembly
FRODEBU Party

Hon. Evariste Nsabiyumva
CNDD-FDD Party

Hon. Dorothee Kamariza
CNDD-FDD Party

Hon. Scholastique Nijebariko
CNDD Party (NYANGOMA)

Hon. Jean-Marie Rugira
Senator, CNDD-FDD Party

Hon. Adelaide Ndayishimiye
Senator, FRODEBU Party

Zéphyrin Maniratanga
Chief of Protocol

This distinguished delegation, led by the Speaker of the Parliament, the Hon. Immaculee Nahayo, arrived at Heathrow at 6.00 am on Sunday, 19 March 2006.
Burundi has no permanent representation in the United Kingdom, and the delegation was met on arrival by Jim Rodgers, Deputy Secretary BGIPU. The rest of the day was spent at leisure, and the official programme started on Monday morning with a visit to the National Museum.
The delegation then moved on to the BBC at Bush House where they were met by Ally Yusuf Mugenzi, Editor of the Great Lakes Section. They were interviewed in four different languages English, French, Swahili and Kirundi.
Luncheon with members of the Royal African Society was taken at Shepherds Restaurant in Marsham Street. In the afternoon, the visitors had round table discussions with representatives from a number of NGOs involved in Burundi. The session was chaired by Ann McKechin MP, Vice-Chair of the Great Lakes and Genocide Prevention All Party Group. Topics of discussion included the role of civil society in decision-making, human rights, corruption and the truth and reconciliation commission. The delegation expressed their concern about the high levels of corruption at all levels of society that still exist in their country. Corruption is so extreme that even the local representatives of NGOs (there are over 3000 registered charities operating in Burundi) are getting in on the act and behaving like local entrepreneurs. The donors seem to have little control over their licensed agents especially those operating outside of the capital Bujumbura.
In the evening, the Rt Hon Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a member of the BG IPU Executive Committee, hosted a dinner for the delegates in the Marriott County Hall Hotel.
Tuesday started with a tour of the Palace of Westminster led by Roger Gale MP. It was quickly followed by a meeting with Mike Gapes MP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who explained the type of enquiry that his committee pursues and its contacts with similar committees in other parliaments e.g. the regular EC meeting of chairs of member FACs hosted by the Presidency parliament. The rest of the morning was spent with Dr Christopher Ward, Clerk of the committee on Standards and Privileges, who explained the sanctions that can be taken against members whose names are forwarded to the committee following investigation by the Commissioner for standards, Sir Philip Mawer.
A Parliamentary lunch in the Peers’ dining-room was hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Anderson of Swansea. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Foreign Office for a joint meeting with Nick Cannon of the FCO and Nick Bates from DFID who expressed an interest in helping the establishment of the parliament and democracy in Burundi through exchange programmes for the MPs.
In the evening, Baroness Hooper hosted a pre-theatre supper for the visitors at Simpsons-in-the-Strand before moving on to watch a performance of The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Wednesday started with a two-hour round table discussion with members of the British Group, chaired by Eric Joyce MP, Chairman of the Great Lakes Region and Genocide Prevention All Party Group. The talks were wide-ranging but in the main concentrated on the state of the country following nearly ten years of civil war in the nineties. The war is over but minor incidents are still being reported from the south-west region on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the biggest problems is the great number of small arms that are generally available and the trafficking of these weapons throughout the region. Burundi has held several meetings on the issue with the CDR and Rwanda to try to encourage the people to give up their arms. There is still a great deal of poverty in almost every region and the whole infrastructure of the country is in need of repair and renewal. The country’s Parliament Building leaks, and sessions have to be halted when it rains. As one of the poorest countries in the world Burundi is in desperate need of development assistance and training.
Following the discussions, the delegation attended Prime Minister’s Questions and then moved on to Lancaster House where Baroness Amos, Lord President of the Council, hosted a Government Lunch in their honour.
In the afternoon, Liam Laurence Smyth, Clerk of the Overseas Office, gave a presentation on the parliamentary procedures in the House of Commons. In the evening, the delegation attended a dinner in the Speaker’s Apartments. In the Speaker’s absence the dinner was hosted by Sylvia Heal MP, Deputy Speaker.
On Thursday morning, the delegation travelled to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish Parliament. The official programme started in the afternoon with a tour of the new Parliament Building. The Speaker then made a courtesy call on Trish Godman MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer. This was followed by a meeting with members of the Procedures Committee to discuss Parliamentary procedures and good governance issues. The meeting was chaired by Karen Gillon MSP.
In the evening, Robert Brown MSP, Deputy Minister for Education and Young People, hosted a dinner for the delegation in the Signet Library. The dinner was attended by other MSPs and senior members of the Executive.
Friday, the last day of the official programme, started with a presentation on Devolution given by Patrick Layden, Deputy Solicitor, Scottish Executive. He explained the history of devolution, the extent of the devolved powers, and the mechanism written into the Scottish Constitution that exists for the resolution of any dispute that may arise in new legislation. The delegation then departed for a cold and windy guided tour of Edinburgh Castle.