Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has called on prosecutors to be selfless and uphold the highest standards in their duties. 

Murekezi, who was presiding over the swearing in for eight new prosecutors at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kimihurura, yesterday, said prosecutors should not conform to anything else that doesn’t represent national interests.

"The vows made represent your new and stronger ties with the nation. Rwandan prosecutors should be mindful not to be trapped into the interests of those using international laws for their own political interests—which in most cases are aimed at bringing contempt to African countries,” Murekezi said.

He added that when handling crimes that require cross-border cooperation and international stakeholders, such as genocide crimes, Rwandan prosecutors should stick to the interests of the nation and its dignity.

The new prosecutors include five women – one at the level of a chief prosecutor.

The seven new prosecutors are Stanislas Sibomana, Vestine Tuyisenge, Sifa Umuranga and Adrien Mukeshimana, who were sworn in to serve in Prosecution High Council.

Egide Dukuzumuremye, Julienne Uwamariya and Jeanne d’ Arc Murekeyisoni were deployed to intermediate level, while Francoise Mushimiyimana was sworn in as chief prosecutor.

Prosecutor-General Richard Muhumuza said more prosecutors represented additional resource, which would help the prosecution become more effective and improve their output.

"The new prosecutors bring in extra power and expertise, which will help us to deliver on the expectations of the public. We will continue to work together as a team and stick to national values and principles of justice as enshrined in the Constitution,” Muhumuza said.

He added that having more women prosecutors sworn in compared to male counterparts is in line with gender equality.

"We strive for gender equality in all national sectors. There are 81 prosecutors countrywide, including 75 women (41.4 per cent),” Muhumuza said.

Mushimiyimana, the new chief prosecutor, said they would partner with Police and other institutions to tackle emerging crimes, but, most importantly, economic crimes that hinder national development.

"We need to be mindful of the new crimes emerging in the country, for instance, human trafficking, child abuse, cyber crime and economic crimes,” Mushimiyimana said.

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