President Paul Kagame has urged the new Senators to be accountable and ensure that no citizen is left behind in the course of national development as they begin their five-year mandate.

The Head of State was speaking on Thursday, September 26, at Parliament, during the swearing-in ceremony of Rwanda’s fourth legislature.

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The Upper House has 26 Senators. Twenty of them were elected or appointed in September, joining other six whose term has not concluded.

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It is Rwanda’s first female majority Senate, with women making up 53 percent.

Kagame hailed the development, urging other institutions to emulate the same.

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"I was happy to see that the number of women in the Senate is increasing. It is a good move, and while it is not a must to have the same ratio, other institutions are encouraged to do the same,” Kagame said.

The new Senate also elected a new Bureau, with Francois-Xavier Kalinda re-elected as the Senate President, Amb. Solina Nyirahabimana, a former Cabinet minister, elected vice president in charge of parliamentary affairs, to replace Espérance Nyirasafari, and Dr Alvera Mukabaramba, elected vice president in charge of finance and administration, a post she previously served in.

Be accountable

President Kagame observed that he does not doubt the incoming Senators, urging them to deliver and consolidate the work done by the previous Upper House.

He pledged the cooperation of the central government.

"I want to thank the new Senators for accepting these duties and I am confident that they will seamlessly pursue them. We have set our targets as a country, and much work is needed to achieve them.”

Rwanda is unique in many aspects, mainly rooted in the country’s history, governance, and geographical location, he noted, pointing out that as a land-locked country, Rwandans are expected to work harder to be able to achieve their national development goals.

"The Senate has a crucial role in this, particularly working together with the central government. Working together will enable us to address even some tasks that are challenging.”

"The main thing is to ensure that no one is left behind in this cause, every Rwandan should see themselves in the development that we continue to see. This is something that we should not forget.”

Kagame maintained that the country doesn&039;t have resources in surplus to waste, calling for accountability so that what is available must be used for the benefit of the people.

"There is no shortcut for our development, we are supposed to work for the people and be the first to address the challenges in the public and this calls for accountability amongst us.”

On his part, Kalinda pledged continued development, through working effectively and creating a strong working channel between the Senate and other institutions.

Kalinda also thanked Kagame for the support rendered to the Senate, noting that the incoming legislature is committed to achieving more.