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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.
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