Rwandans welcome new Kagame term

Joy and dancing filled the hall at t Rusororo in Gasaba district in Kigali when the Rwanda Patriotic Front ( RPF ) president Paul Kagame was announced the winner of the party chairmanship.

When Governor Marie Rose Mureshyankwano, the returning officer for the election of the National Executive Committee, announced Kagame, she  interrupted by Kagame's supporters,  who stood up and started singing songs of  praises of their chairman.

Mureshyankwano had no option but to pose until they sat down so that she announced other winners.

Kagame who went through unopposed was elected by the RPF National congress that started on December 14.

Mureshyankwano said the party has 2,342 registered voters and Kagame swept 2, 340 which is 99.9 percent while only two votes were spoiled.

"I announce Paul Kagame with 2,340 votes for the seat of the RPF chairperson. Kagame went through unopposed after nominiation closed and no one showed interest to stand against him," she said as people jubilated.

The congress also retained Christophe Bazivamo as the Vice chairman while Francois Ngarambe was retained as Secretary General of the party.

Bazivamo and Ngarambe also went through unopposed. Ten commissioners that include Clasisse Uwanyiringira, Tessy Rusera, Alain Ndatishiniye, Christelle Kwizera, Julian Muganza, Edmond Igabe, Constantin Rukundo, Assupta Uwamariya, Joel Arusha and Adrien Tuyishime were also elected.

Notable among the Commissioners that were dropped from the National Executive Committee is Senator Tito Rubaremara a founder member of the RPF.

The congress also elected 12 people to represent the youth. Mureshyankwano said during the congress, the party also passed a number of solution that included a two year action plan, amended the statue of the RPF, protection the nation and her neighbors, support  political education , continuation of  the liberation struggle, empowering the youth and women among others.

In his acceptance, Kagame who is also the president of Rwanda said the party had time to reflect on its gains for the past 30 years and pledge his commitment to develop Rwanda more.

" We  leave  revitalized and dedicated  to give the best of ourselves," he said, adding that the new executive will empower the youth to take charge of the country's affairs.