Consultations with the public begin to change constitution.
Rwandan legislators this week began consultations with citizens that will pave the way for an amendment to the Constitution to remove presidential term limits.
If the amendments are successful, the law will allow President Paul Kagame to contest again in the 2017 polls after his current mandate expires.
Members of Parliament began consultations after both Houses of the bicameral parliament adopted reports on the over 3.7 million petitions calling on legislators to amend the Constitution.
The nationwide consultations, which will last three weeks are aimed at gathering citizens’ views on Article 101 of the Constitution on term limits and other articles.
During the well-attended meetings at the sector and district levels, which are characterised by singing and chanting, MPs and Senators listen to testimonies from local people who mainly praise and call on President Kagame to stand again.
“There are no differing views; all people speak in favour of a third term for President Kagame. Even if there were anyone with a different view, they wouldn’t be able to express it in such a gathering,” said Emile Uwizeye, a resident of Kimironko Sector, Gasabo district.
During the consultations, a resident of the same district who identified himself as Theoneste Mutsindashyaka said that while he wanted President Kagame to continue leading, he wants him to be different from other African leaders who want to die in office.
“I appreciate those who say that President Kagame should remain in office but again I am saddened by African presidents who cling to power until they die in office. President Kagame should set a precedent for young African leaders and relinquish power when the time comes,” Mr Mutsindashyaka said, adding his voice to the few opposing a third term for the incumbent.
With the momentum towards a referendum gathering, there are few voices opposing plans to amend the Constitution to remove term limits.
The suit filed by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, which has openly opposed the plans to amend the Constitution, will be heard on Wednesday by the Supreme Court.
The party wants the country’s highest court to block the process to amend the Rwandan Constitution to remove presidential term limits ahead the 2017 presidential poll.
According to Frank Habineza, president of the party, they are hopeful the court will make a ruling in time to stop the activities aimed at amending the Constitution.