Leoncie Kankindi and Basile Bayihiki were on Thursday elected Rusizi District deputy mayors for economic affairs and social affairs, respectively.

The positions fell vacant last November following a wave of resignations of leaders in the south-western district.

 Marcel Habyarimana, former Rusizi District vice-mayor for economic affairs, Francoise Nirere, the former vice-mayor for social affairs and Albert Ndemeye, the district Executive secretary, abruptly resigned their positions  last November.

Though the officials insisted they resigned for ‘personal reasons’, their timing and successive resignation sparked speculation.

Almost two months after the spate of resignations, the district has elected new leaders.

Kankindi, who stood unopposed, garnered 317 votes out of 322 total votes cast, equivalent to 98.4 per cent. Prior to her election, she served as the executive secretary of Rwimbogo sector in the same district.

Bayihiki polled 316, earning him 97.8 per cent of the total votes. He also stood unopposed. He is a former member of the Lower Chamber of Parliament who represented the youth between 2008 and 2013.

The Electoral College was composed of the Sector and District advisory councils within the district.

The two local officials were sworn-in shortly after being announced winners.

Both promised to work diligently and serve the interests of the population.

Prof Kalisa Mbanda, the president of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), congratulated Rusizi councillors for ‘a job well done’.

The Western Province executive secretary and acting Governor, Paul Jabo, urged the new leaders to execute their new tasks with dedication and commitment.

"You should never relent and always endeavour to keep finding solutions to issues affecting the population,” Jabo challenged the new leaders.