The reshuffle saw 11 women named among 19 ministers, 50% of positions went to women occupying 13 of 26 positions and reduced cabinet size from 31 to 26.
The swearing of the new cabinet was on Friday presided over by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame who administered the oath of six new ministers including Prof. Anastase Shyaka who replaced Francis Kaboneka as the Minister of Local Governance and Dr. Richard Sezibera, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs replacing Louise Mushikiwabo who was recently elected Secretary General of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).
Other new ministers include Maj. Gen Albert Murasira, the Minister of Defense replacing Gen. James Kabarebe and Solina Nyirahabimana who replaced Esperance Nyirasafari in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.
Soraya Hakuziyaremye was sworn-in as Minister of Trade and Industry replacing Dr. Vincent Munyeshyaka while Paula Ingabire replaced Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa at the helm of the Ministry ICT and Innovation.
The Head of State also witnessed the oaths of Dan Munyuza who was appointed the Inspector General of Police and Felix Ntamuhoranye who is the new Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.
Kagame said people have abilities and talents but nobody alone can lead the country to achieve its needed development targets. “We have to collaborate and link activities and our energy in all we do and always work remembering we work for the country and its citizens, it is not for ourselves alone,” he said.
“Rwandans aspire to achieve a lot which is good when done fast. We should always understand this in that way. Everybody but mostly authorities’ contribution is required for the country to achieve its goals. That’s all we expect from new and current leaders,” he added.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera thanked President Kagame for entrusting him with ‘heavy’ duties he hopes to fulfill inspired the commendable job done by his predecessor, Louise Mushikiwabo.
“They are big duties but we have the leader, who is experienced and firm in them, the President of the Republic. All what is done in this Ministry [of Foreign Affairs] are planned by the President. I believe that I will collaborate with others to build on the commendable job done by Louise Mushikiwabo.”
The new Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Soraya Hakuziyaremye told the media that it is a great blessing to be trusted to serve the nation.
“I am going to start working with the team and the entire government. Rwanda is fast developing but we need to keep working hard as other countries are learning from us to develop their economies. What I bring is to use what I studied from abroad. We will sit down and work with beneficiaries in a bid to speed up the development as the Head of State asked us,” she said.
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