Western Province Governor Célestin Kabahizi was today elected Rwanda’s representative to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to fill the void left by Jacquéline Muhongayire, who was appointed Minister for EAC Affairs, in July.

EALA is the legislative arm of the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc composed of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Kabahizi, 53, defeated his Social Democratic Party (PSD) colleague and former lawmaker, Aurélie Gahongayire, collecting 72 out of a possible 94 votes.

Members of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate cast the vote.

"I am very happy for the confidence they have put in me. I thank all MPs who have elected me and assure everybody that I will do my best to do what is required of me in the EALA,” he told The New Times shortly after the election.

Each of the five EAC partner state is represented by nine members in the regional legislative body.

Rwanda’s representatives to EALA have varied political persuasions and backgrounds, with the majority of seats reserved for political organisations.

Provincial governors are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.