In the last two weeks, two Mayors of districts forming part of Kigali City tendered in their resignations. Though they said their decision was based on personal grounds, media reports have linked their resignation to acts of incompetence and mismanaging of resources.

The resignation of the Mayors of Nyarugenge and Gasabo signifies a new trend whereby, a leader who has made mistakes does not wait to be kicked out of office or arrested but rather voluntarily steps down.

In most African countries, you find people in public office who are accused of various crimes but continue to occupy the offices. In worse situations, these individuals continue to cling on, even when investigations into their crimes are underway.

Therefore, that some of the leaders are beginning to take political responsibility by tendering in their resignations is a prudent practice and ushers in a culture that should be emulated.

A leader who has made mistakes should not wait to be hounded out of office but rather step down voluntarily to allow room for investigations.

This is standard measure that reflects how a nation has evolved in terms of embracing the true doctrines of transparency and accountability.

Like many aspects, that are increasingly defining the new Rwanda, the culture that requires leaders whose performance is wanting or involved in mismanagement and criminal activities, to resign, is a demonstration of how far the country has gone in cementing the principles of good governance.  

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