RPF fills Nirere’s seat in Parliament

PARLIAMENT - The Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) has finally replaced one of its members of parliament who was convicted of Genocide. Jean Damascene Murara has been nominated to replace Beatrice Nirere, who was found guilty of Genocide and sentenced to life in prison. Murara has been a senior RPF member from Muhanga District, Southern Province and had been ranked number 44 on the list of the coalition of political parties led by RPF/Inkotanyi, which was allocated only 42 seats to the House. According to the law, when an MP loses his/her post in parliament, they must be replaced by the person next on the list of their party’s candidates. Before the appointment, Speaker Rose Mukantabana had tabled Nirere’s issue before the general assembly arguing that that she had been absent for more than the ten days prescribed by article 89 of the law governing the Lower Chamber, and they have never received any justification. Speaking to The New Times, the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Prof. Chrisologue Karangwa confirmed Nirere’s replacement. In a related development, former Minister of Health, Dr. Ezechias Rwabuhihi, is expected to return to parliament in replacement of Munyanganizi Bikoro, who relinquished his seat after being implicated in a tax evasion scam. Another vacant seat in the House belonged to Gerald Ntwari who was appointed ambassador designate to Belgium and will be replaced by Jean Baptist Zimurinda who was next on the list of Social Democratic Party (PSD) candidates. The swearing in of the news MPs will depend on the availability of President Paul Kagame, said Deputy Speaker Denis Polisi. Ends