Author: John Mbaraga

Rwakazina who was elected with a total of 146 votes (94.8%) while her competitor, Henriette Murekatete gained eight votes (5.2%) from 154 voters.

The elections was presided over by the Secretary General of National Electoral Commission, Prof Kalisa Mbanda.

Rwakazina said that based on existing performance contracts, she will prioritise the implementation of City Master Plan so that Kigali will be affordable city to people from different economic categories.

She pledged to develop women and youth cooperatives and added that she will always consult fellow City Hall staff for advice.

She said that the city needs partnership with different institutions capable of implementing city programmes, for her that’s a way to go.

The 45-year-old woman and mother of two children had been a lecturer in university of Rwanda since 2000 to 2008.

Rwakazina had also been the Vice-Secretary of Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) since 2010 to 2013.

Since 2013 to today, Rwakazina has been the coordinator of UN support programmes in Rwanda.

“President Kagame arrives in Ethiopia for a State Visit and is received by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed,” a tweet reads.

Kagame visited Ethiopia after a two-day visit he concluded yesterday in France. In France, Kagame also attended ‘Viva Tech’, the World’s meeting for startups and leaders to celebrate innovation. He also held discussions with France President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions revolved around different topics including bilateral relations among others.

It is the first state visit Kagame held in Ethiopia since Dr. Abiy took over replacing former Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn in March.

Both Heads of States held discussions which were attended by Ambassador of Rwanda in Ethiopia, Hope Tumukunde among other officials.

However, few hours after submitting their letters, some mayors or vice-mayors get arrested.

A recent example is that of former Nyabihu Vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Clarisse Mukansanga who, together with former mayor Théoneste Uwanzwenuwe, submitted their resignation letters citing personal reasons.

Both local government officials submitted their letters on May 11th and the next day Mukansanga was arrested suspected of fanning genocide ideology.

{{Resignation and suspension wave }}

Since general mayoral elections took place in February 2016, among 30 district mayors who had been elected for five-year mandate, in two years only, six of them are no longer in their jobs, some resigning and others being forced out offices.

For Former Kamonyi District Mayor, Aimable Udahemuka, 16 months in the office was enough for him to resign. Udahemuka submitted his resignation letter to the District Council president on June 20th 2017.

Though Udahemuka cited personal reasons, upon his resignation, the chairperson for Kamonyi District Council, Emmanuel Karuranga told the media that the resignation decision came as Udahemuka was under pressure from the council which was accusing him of neglecting council decisions, delaying their implementation, dodging council meetings and indiscipline.

“The district council also wanted to take some sanctions against him over his conduct which damaged the district reputation. He was, especially, accused of over-drinking and indiscipline,” Karuranga said.

On August 29th 2017, 18 months after the elections, former Rubavu District Mayor Jeremie Sinamenye submitted his resignation letter.

Prior to resignation, Sinamenye had been arrested in July over allegations of sabotaging presidential electoral campaigns for Private Candidate in his district. The presidential elections took place in August 2017.

Sinamenye was later released, but he tendered in his resignation letter on August 29th.

On November 16th 2017, 21 months in the office was enough for former Nyamagabe Mayor, Philbert Mugisha along with other five district officials to be arrested, suspected on embezzlement and involvement in shoddy tenders.

Though the court later acquitted Mugisha after the prosecution failed to present evidence pinning him on the charges, Mugisha had already been fired from his job.

Mugisha was suspended only two days after he had been in Police custody.

Upon his suspension the Chairperson of Nyamagabe District council, Fiacre Ndahindurwa told IGIHE that the council decided to sack him after falling short on delivery.

“We held a meeting and discussed resources management issues. Our District has been appearing before parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for two years consecutively over poor management. We thus decided to dismiss him from district the council. Being dismissed from the council simply means that he is no longer the mayor, because a district mayor comes from district council” Ndahindurwa explained.

He said that Mugisha was no longer a trustworthy as he was suspected of involvement in mismanagement and embezzlement cases.

The disastrous wave of mayor’s resignations and suspension reached Ruhango District on March and left all members of the Executive Committee sacked.

The move took place on March 7th 2018 and left Ruhango District Mayor, François Xavier Mbabazi, vice-mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development Epimaque Twagirimana and that of Social Affairs, Annonciata Kambayire dismissed from their jobs.

Upon their dismissal, the Ruhango District Council Chairperson, Jérôme Gasasira Rutagengwa told IGIHE that all officials were dismissed after being accused of different malpractices in the implementation of different projects.

“We dismissed them from Ruhango District council due to malpractices. There are different improper deeds that have been made during the implementation of different projects as revealed by auditing report. Some mistakes were made by technicians but the political responsibility falls on the mayors’ shoulders,” he explained.

Between May 11th to May 14th 2018, Nyabihu District had no member of the executive committee following separate resignation of all members.

It all started with March resignation of Vice-mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Antoine Mugwiza and April resignation of the District Executive Secretary, James Ngabo.

The move in Nyabihu was capped with the resignation of former Mayor Théoneste Uwanzwenuwe and former Vice-Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs, Clarisse Mukansanga on 11th May.

Two days after Nyabihu’s resignation, former Rusizi District Mayor, Frédéric Harerimana submitted his resignation citing personal reasons.

“I have resigned for my personal reasons; there isn’t any problem that pushed me to resign. I have done a lot for the time I led the district. Any person can feel tired and want to change the work but it is just for my personal reasons that I have resigned,” he told IGIHE.

“I am proud of the progress we have attained. District residents, partners and I believe nothing will roll that back,” he added.

On April 10th 2018, former City of Kigali Mayor, Pascal Nyamulinda submitted his resignation letter after only fourteen months in the office.

Like many others, Nyamulinda also cited personal reasons. Nyamulinda had taken over the City Hall in February 2017 replacing Monique Mukaruliza who was appointed the Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Zambia.

Generally, six district mayors and four vice-mayors, and one City mayor are no longer in their jobs in the first five-year mandate. They were eligible to compete for two consecutive terms in office.

The resignation and dismissal is not the problem with mandate starting from 2016 mayoral elections mandate.

The new district administrative entities were introduced in 2006 and started with mayors who served five-year renewable mandate.

Among 30 mayors who started with newly formed districts, only two served both mandates. Among them include, former mayor of Rulindo District Justus Kangwagye who was appointed to head Rwanda Governance Board Department of Political Parties and Civil Society Organisations.

Also former Gisagara District Mayor, Leandre Karekezi served all ten years. Currently, Karekezi is the President of Rwanda Volleyball Federation.

By the end of 2015, Former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Local Governance (MINALOC), Ladislas Ngendahimana told KT Press that in ten years since 2008, 48% of the mayors resigned and left the districts in bad status.

{{Something behind resignations}}

Speaking to this reporter, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), Ladislas Ngendahimana said that it is the right of leaders to resign as the government cannot force them to stay in office once they decided to step down.

He said despite citing personal reasons, no one did approach RALGA or reported any problem.

“We wish that a person who serves in local government can spend as long period as possible. When they leave early without telling us the actual problem, they leave another task of identifying the problem inside the local governments,” he explained.

Using an example of former Rubavu Nyabihu Mayors, Ngendahimana said that they were tired , for him it is better to step down when they think they are incapable of serving.

“I see the problem in three categories; there are those who were dismissed, those who had fallen short on delivery and self-evicted and others of who we should conduct a study to identify the reason behind their resignations,” he explained.

“Actually, the person who decides to resign always has a reason behind personal reasons. Besides those who were suspended by the district council, others resign when still under investigations,” he explained.

He said that among mayors that have resigned, none has gone to RALGA for any form of support. “Generally behind what they call personal reasons, there are responsibilities which they might have failed to deliver though they can’t tell that to the public,” he said.

{{ Transparency speaks}}

The Chairperson of Transparency International Rwanda, Marie Immaculée Ingabire emphasizes that all mayors resign due to personal reasons.

“Whether they are forced to resign or not, these are personal reasons including failure to deliver,” she explained.

Ingabire says that she sees no crisis in resignation because the districts are well staffed for the activities to continue when there is no mayor.

“I would understand that there is a crisis if the entire cabinet were to resign. But for the districts, even 20 of them can go and the country moves on,” she said.

{{ People speak}}

Jean Claude Murekezi, a resident of Musambira Sector of Kamonyi District observed that the resignation of some mayors affect the implementation of some projects.

“Imagine if one mayor had been collaborating with other staffs in monitoring the implementation of a certain project and then resign when the project is yet to be completed. It affects completion of the project,” he said.

After the discussions, both Heads of States held a joint press conference where the duo revealed that they support the Candidacy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Secretary General position.

OIF generally known as La Francophonie is an international organization representing countries and regions where French is a customary language, where a significant proportion of the population are French speakers, or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture.

The organization comprises 57 member states and governments, three associate members and twenty observers.

Also OIF is an organization comprising a network of private and public organizations promoting equal ties among countries where French people or France played a significant historical role, culturally, militarily, or politically.

Rwanda has been a member of La Francofonie since 1970. In 2009, Rwanda was admitted to Commonwealth, the intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that are mostly former territories of the British Empire.

Since then, it seemed that Rwanda focused on relations and interests with English speaking countries, but remained the OIF member.

The elections of OIF Secretary General are anticipated in October in the organisation’s 17th general assembly that will take place in Yerevan, Armenia in October 11th and 12th 2018.

Currently, the organization is led by 60-year-old Canadian Michaëlle Jean.

Asked yesterday about Mushikiwabo’s candidacy in the October elections, both heads openly revealed that they support the candidacy of a woman who they described as a good choice and eligible to head the organization.

President Kagame started by emphasizing that Rwanda has always been a member of the La Francophonie. He said that some people have had confusion thinking that Rwanda has stopped being a member of the organization.

“It is not true, we will never stop being so, only that we have been members in addition of other organisations as well,” he clarified.

He said that Rwanda has interests in contributing to building new realities of La Francophonie.

“Therefore, as we like Rwanda would be asked by La Francophonie in this particular case, there is interest for us to be able to contribute in good way, building, going forward, new realities of Francophonie because of the new times. We are happy to participate in that sense of providing leaders or a leader like Mushikiwabo as long as this meets the understanding and the support especially the African members of the La Francophonie and France,” he said.

{{France openly supported the candidacy}}

President Macron said that today’s centre of the La Francophonie is in Africa. He said that they want to change La Francophonie into a successful organization and assure that the youth of Africa will completely own the organization.

“I have a conviction that I cannot hide that if there is an African candidate to the Secretary General of La Francophonie, it will make sense. If that candidate is a woman it will surely make more sense. On that post I believe that the Foreign Affairs Minister of Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo has enough competence to effectively exercise that function,” Macron declared.

He observed that Mushikiwabo excellently speaks French in a country where the president speaks English. He said that half of Rwandan population still speak French in a country that speaks many languages.

“I believe that having an African candidate from African Union will be good news,” he explained.

{{Can the candidature revitalize the relations? }}

In the past twenty-four years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has repeatedly accused France of supporting the genocidal government in preparations and execution of the genocide as well as shielding genocide perpetrators.

Rwanda has called on France to admit its role in the genocide and support the tracking and arresting of genocide fugitives who are still at large in France.

Rwanda-France relations cannot be founded by neglecting the dark past. Admitting France’s role in the genocide was considered as the imperative way towards new trend of relationships.

According to a Political Analyst and University Lecturer, Dr. Christopher Kayumba, France’s support to Mushikiwabo candidacy is one step towards good relationship, though the organization has no connection with both countries’ relations.

“I think that it is the first step, but, it doesn’t imply that it will revitalize the relations because the cause of bad relations has no connection with that position. Bad relations originate from the role of France in the genocide and not admitting and apologizing for that role,” he said.

“I think that France will have good relationship with Rwanda once they admit their role in the genocide, apologise and if necessary pay compensation,” he explained.

Kagame was speaking on Wednesday in Paris, France, in a joint press conference with France President Emmanuel Macron. The press briefing followed bilateral talks between both Heads of States at Palais de l’Elysée, France’s State House.

Kagame said that they engaged in a wide range of discussions on bilateral relations.

On Rwanda and France relations particularly, Kagame said that both countries must continue to play role in ensuring beneficial relationship.

“We must continue to play our respective roles in ensuring that this relationship is beneficial to both countries and go even further to ensure that the interests of Africa as a whole are considered,” Kagame noted.

Among others, Kagame had conversation with business leaders taking part in the Tech Summit on nurturing innovation and enterprise in Africa, especially among young people.

“Africa is honored to play its part in the important role technology and the youth play in the development of our nations,” he said.

“This partnership presents a new mindset on how we need to collectively address the issues and each maintain ownership on ensuring the outcomes of this partnership benefit us all,” he noted.

{{Rwanda to submit candidacy for OIF top position}}

In a press conference, Kagame was asked about the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and said that Rwanda has always been a member. He mentioned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo as a candidate for OIF Secretary General and rallied African member states’ support.

“We are happy to provide support to candidates such as Mushikiwabo as long as it meets the support of African member states,” he said.

“Rwanda has always been a member of the Francophonie, we never stopped. When asked to contribute and given the context of new times we are happy to participate by providing leaders like Mushikiwabo as long as this has the support of members,” Kagame added.

In a tweet, the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro announced that in the same occasion, Kagame will meet 60 Chief Executive Officers of technology companies.

“President Macron receives President Kagame at Palais de l’Elysee where they will hold bilateral talks and meet with around 60 CEOs from leading tech companies,” reads tweet.

It is the third time President Kagame visits France in the past 16 years.

In France, Kagame will also attend the international conference on technology bringing together startups and leaders. The three day conference will start on May 24th and run until May 26th.

Kagame had last been in France on February 27th where he had attended the international conference on decent technologies, the conference had been organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Ngirente was speaking Wednesday in the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Busan, South Korea.

The meeting was organized under the theme, “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization”.

For Ngirente, the meeting is a good occasion to reflect on the role of industrialization, as a catalyst for economic development.

“Accelerating industrialization in Africa would increase productivity through value addition, create more jobs, raise incomes, and bring prosperity to our citizens. Globally, the share of Africa in the value chains of manufacturing is only around 2 per cent, and most of our exports are raw commodities. Changing this trend requires political commitment, effective public services, a conducive regulatory environment and a proactive private sector,” he said.

He said that Africa has gained momentum over the past decade on improving major macroeconomic indicators, but, still faces constraints that must be addressed together with partners, including production capacity, infrastructure, trade information, access to finance and trade facilitation.

According to Ngirente, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 indicates key flagship projects that will accelerate transformational change on the continent. These projects include the African Commodities Strategy, the Free Movement of People, the Continental Free Trade Area, and the Single African Air Transport Market.

He said that holding the meetings in Busan, is an opportunity to reinforce the good cooperation between Africa and the Republic of Korea.

Ngirente said that the establishment of the Korea-Africa development cooperation framework in 2006 was successful at enhancing that relationship, particularly in the areas of energy, ICT, agriculture, green growth, and human resource development.

In Rwanda he said the partnership with Korea has focused on higher education and knowledge transfer, building ICT innovation capacity, as well as key supporting technical and vocational training institutions.