Road to 2017: what next?

Senate last week passed the Bill that will govern an ad hoc commission that will be designated to help parliament on the required technicalities to respond to citizens’ demands for constitutional review. Nominated by cabinet and appointed by the Senate, the seven member commission will report to parliament. The commission comes as a result of Parliament’s countrywide consultations following the submission of petitions from 3.8 million Rwandans who called for a referendum to amend the constitution. Calling for the amendment of Article 101, the petitioners called for President Kagame’s continued leadership with many citing his role in leading Rwanda’s transformation in the last two decades. The commissions, whose members will be required to be experienced lawyers with an extensive background in constitutional matters will assist parliament to review the law and propose relevant changes. Speaking to this paper, Samuel Musabyimana, the chairperson of the committee in charge of assessment of deputies’ activities, conduct and legislative immunity, which sponsored the bill, said that the commission will be given a renewable four month period. The independent commissioners will be given offices and monthly remunerations, according to Abbas Mukama the Deputy Speaker in charge of administration and finances. Following the commission’s initial review of the constitution, amendments will need to be approved by both chambers of Parliament before being put to a vote by the citizens through a national referendum. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Road to 2017: what next?