President Paul Kagame this Friday dissolved Rwanda’s Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies a week ahead of the Presidential and Parliamentary campaigns begin.
The event jibed perfectly with the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed government officials at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura, Kigali.
“Dissolving the parliament does not mean that we do not appreciate your work, rather, we are doing this to pave away for the new good things ahead,” Kagame said.
According to article 79 of the Constitution, for election purposes, the President is required to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the end of the parliamentary term.
Rwanda’s fourth legislature, which began its term in September 2018, was originally scheduled to conclude last year.
However, an extension authorized by Article 173 of the Constitution allowed for the postponement of elections, enabling both presidential and parliamentary polls to be held concurrently in 2024.
Elections for both next President and Members of Parliament in Rwanda are scheduled to take place on the same dates, in July 15.
To the newly appointed government leaders, President Kagame urged them to produce results that will help develop the nation.
The Head of State urged the leaders to be responsible to protect the interests of all Rwandans. Leadership is about setting an example for others to follow – not just the people you lead, but others in general, especially young people,” Kagame said.
The Head of State further underlined that these responsibilities include making healthy decisions because they are possible. Leaders who fail to make decisions will fulfill less of their responsibilities.” Kagame noted.
He further urged the newly sown government officials to adhere to the most important responsibilities.
The government officials who took the oath of office during the swearing-in ceremony included Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Yussuf Murangwa: Minister of Finance and Planning and Consolee Uwimana: Minister of Equity and Community Development.
Also sworn in were Mutesi Rusagara, State Secretary for Public Investment and Fundraising in the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Olivier Kabera, State Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Other officials sworn in were Aimable Havugiyaremye, Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and Angelique Habyarimana, Attorney General, the Commander of the Army for Health, Maj. Gen. Dr. Ephrem Rurangwa and the Deputy Commander in that category, Brig. Gen. Dr. John Nkurikiye.
