Well, at least Rwanda polls were peaceful

The peaceful general election in Rwanda reflects credit not only on the country, but also on the East African Community — despite all the criticism of President Paul Kagame’s regime and the “sham” poll in the run-up.

The polls came the week after the successful constitutional referendum in Kenya, which saw the ushering in of a new constitution after weeks of intense campaigning.

Burundi had held its election earlier in June, in which the incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza emerged winner in a controversial contest in which rivals cited election fraud.

The elections ended peacefully, nevertheless, a relief after the country’s decades-long record of civil war.

Though there were fears that chaos of the 2007 general election in Kenya, which degenerated into an ethnic conflict in which hundreds lost their lives, could repeat itself, the referendum went without a hitch.

Millions of Kenyans turned out to cast their vote in a historic referendum, which saw 6,092,593 voting Yes, and 2,795,059 No.

The process brought to closure the quest for a new constitutional dispensation spanning a period of more than 20 years.

The three peaceful exercises are therefore, at the end of the day, a plus for the region, which has long been categorised as a hotspot by the foreign media and think tanks.

It should also not be forgotten that the EAC’s five member states last month ushered in a Common Market whose aim is to open their borders to the free movement of labour, goods and services.

For the Common Market to succeed, peace is naturally of outmost importance, as business cannot thrive in a disruptive environment.

Instability in Somalia has already cost the region dearly, in terms of investment and expertise, by contributing to insecurity and the refugee burden.

The twin bombings in Kampala, linked to the Somalia-based radical Islamic group, Al Shabaab also helped spread fear and despondency.

East Africa simply cannot afford another zone of instability, given its fragile economies and often volatile political environment.

This is the reason why the peaceful election in Rwanda must be celebrated, despite the uneven political field opponents of the incumbent president had to work in.

Kagame should now move swiftly to embrace his opponents and ensure that alternative voices are heard by opening up the democratic space in his second — and hopefully last — seven-year presidential term.

The 126.6 million inhabitants of the EAC region have every reason to hope that the next bout of elections — in Tanzania this October — and the general election in Uganda, slated for next year, will be peaceful.

The EAC secretariat has correctly stressed that the integration process, currently at its second stage, after the launch of both the Customs Union and the Common Market, can only move to the next level, which is the establishment of a Monetary Union and eventually a Political Federation, if there is peace in the five member states.