Academics, clerics push for lifting of term limits

Religious leaders and academics have backed a popular proposal to scrap presidential term limits. They presented their arguments yesterday during a consultative meeting with a team of senators, at the University of Rwanda’s College of Education. The exercise was part of ongoing Parliament-led consultations to collect people’s views on amending Article 101 of the Constitution, which currently restricts a Head of State’s tenure to two seven-year terms. During the consultations, most speakers lauded President Kagame’s leadership and argued that term limits should be scrapped to enable him realise his dream of turning Rwanda into a middle income country by the year 2020. Participants follow proceedings at the meeting with the senators. “Article 101 cannot be the barrier to people’s choice. President Kagame is a hero and an honourable person; we cannot let him go when we still need him,” said Aloys Ruzibiza, a lecturer at Kigali Independent University. Yvonne Mujawabega, an attorney working with the Rwanda Social Security Board concurred. “We are coming from very far; we should create a legal framework that allows the President a chance to continue leading the country so he can finish building what he started,” she said. Pastor Claude Niyonzima lauded the President’s leadership, which, he said, had brought about efficiency in the transport and health sectors, as well as more access to electricity. “We need Kagame and only Kagame,” he said. Senators, Michel Rugema (L) and Tito Rutaremara listen to questions from the audience yesterday at University of Rwandas College of Education. Laurent Mugabo, a lawyer, told senators that he wrote a petition to Parliament asking for the amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution because he wants President Kagame to stay in power beyond 2017 so that he can help realise the country’s Vision 2020. While some academics and clerics want to specifically give President Kagame the provision to lead Rwanda beyond 2017, others want the issue of term limits not to feature in the Constitution. They asked for the lifting of term limits, but with a shorter term of five years. A researcher from college of Education shows a document that contains reasons why article 101 should be amended The senators will compile the ideas collected from the countrywide consultations and report to Parliament which will then vote on whether amend Article 101 of the Constitution. If approved, the National Electoral Commission will be required to organise a referendum for Rwandans to vote on whether or not to amend Article 101 of the Constitution in accordance with Article 193 of the supreme law. Some of the participants that attended the meeting with Senators yesterday at the college of Education. Senator Tito Rutaremara (L) addresses lawyers, researchers and clerics at College of Education yesterday.

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Academics, clerics push for lifting of term limits