Bideri John Bonds, a distinguished Rwandan politician
Hon. Bideri John Bonds is a distinguished Rwandan politician and current Senator in the Rwandan Parliament. He has built a notable career in both national and continental governance, with a strong focus on sustainable development, agriculture, and political affairs.
đź“‹ Personal and Contact Information
Full Name: Hon. John Bonds Bideri
Date of Birth: July 19, 1958
Provenance: Elected in Eastern Province, Rwanda
Phone: +250 788 301 158
Email: jbideri@parliament.go.rw
🎓 Education
Hon. Bideri has a strong academic background in agriculture and sustainable development:
Master of Science in Sustainable Development, University of Sussex (UK)
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)
Diploma in Agriculture, Egerton University (Kenya)
🇷🇼 Current Roles in the Rwandan Senate (As of September 2024)
Senator in the 4th Legislature of the Rwandan Senate.
Member, Committee on Political Affairs and Governance.
Member, Committee in charge of Assessment of the Senate’s Activities, Senator’s Conduct and Immunity .
🌍 Key Role at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
Hon. Bideri holds a significant leadership position at the continental level:
Chairperson, Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) (June 2022 – present) .
The PAP is one of the organs of the African Union (AU), established to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent .
His committee deals with policies related to cross-border trade, customs, and immigration, and assists the Parliament in overseeing relevant AU organs and policies .
đź’ˇ Notable Advocacy and Perspectives
Hon. Bideri is known for his insightful and forceful advocacy on key continental issues:
On Natural Resource Management: He challenges the narrative of the “resource curse,” arguing that the real issues are bad governance, lack of transparency, and elite capture of mineral wealth. He emphasizes that local communities are often excluded from benefits, which fuels instability. He urges evidence-based policy resolutions .
On Gender Equality: He is a strong proponent of the Draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity in Africa. He highlights Rwanda’s constitutional guarantee of at least 30% representation for women (who now hold nearly 60% of parliamentary seats) as a model. He has emphasized that women need structural support, not capacity building, and praised Rwanda’s policies on equal land rights .
đź“ś Previous Leadership Roles (Summary)
His extensive experience before the Senate includes:
Chairperson, Workforce Development Authority (WDA) (2010 – 2019).
Chairperson, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) (2013 – 2019).
Vice Chairperson, Kayonza District Council (2016 – 2019).
Chairperson, Rwinkwavu District Hospital Board (2016 – 2019).
Bideri John Bonds
Hon. John Bonds Bideri is a highly experienced Rwandan legislator and a prominent figure in Pan-African governance. His work is deeply informed by his expertise in agriculture and sustainable development. He is a forceful advocate for good governance, transparent management of natural resources, and gender equality both in Rwanda and across the African continent. His current roles in the Rwandan Senate and as a Committee Chairperson at the Pan-African Parliament position him as a key influencer in shaping policies on trade, customs, immigration, and political governance .
