PARLIAMENT - Two MPs have resigned from the Chamber of Deputies barely a year to the end of the mandate of the Lower House.

Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana (Rwanda Patriotic Front) and Jacqueline Muhongayire (Social Democratic Party) handed in their resignations to the Speaker of Chamber of Deputies Alfred Mukezamfura on Friday.

Harerimana is a former Cabinet minister, while Muhongayire was a member of parliamentary bureau during the Transitional National Assembly days.

Vice Speaker Polisi Denis confirmed the resignation of the two lawmakers but said they gave no reasons. He said they immediately informed the National Electoral Commission (NEC) about the resignation of two deputies.

It was impossible by press time to get a comment from the two, but sources say they could be preparing to run for positions in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

A draft law paving way for the election of Rwanda’s representatives to EALA was recently approved by Parliament.

The bill requires a civil servant eyeing an EALA seat to resign from their leadership positions before campaigns. Consequently, NEC announced that Harerimana and Muhongayire will be replaced by Jean Baptiste Rucibigango (Workers Party) and Jean Damascene Gasarabwe respectively.

The latter two have been the next in line on their respective party’s lists of 2003 parliamentary elections.

Sources in Parliament said the MPs elect are likely to take oath of office tomorrow.
Rucubigango recently published a book titled ‘Bras des Fer’ which explores France’s role in masterminding political turmoil in several African countries.

Reliable sources have said that a senator has also resigned. The senator could not be established by press time, but the same sources said the move was also in line with the EALA jobs. Rwanda will be represented by nine lawmakers in the EAC House.
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