The appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva as the new Prime Minister by President Paul Kagame, on Wednesday, July 23, is expected to lead to the establishment of a new Cabinet, going by the provisions of Rwanda’s constitution.

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Nsengiyumva succeeds Édouard Ngirente, who had served in the head of Cabinet position since 2017.

Article 124, which talks about vacation of office of the Prime Minister and appointment of a new Cabinet, provides that the Prime Minister’s resignation or vacation of office for any reason leads to the resignation of all the other members of the Cabinet.

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The outgoing Cabinet only handles routine business until a new Cabinet is appointed, it stipulates.

As per the constitution, the President of the Republic appoints a new Cabinet in compliance with relevant provisions, including the respect for power-sharing in state institutions.

Appointment of Cabinet members

As per article 116 of the same constitution, ministers, ministers of state and other members of cabinet are appointed within 15 days following the appointment of the prime minister.

Article 62 of the constitution provides that Cabinet members are selected from political organisations on the basis of seats they hold in the Chamber of Deputies. However, a political organisation holding the majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies cannot have more than 50 per cent of Cabinet members.

However, it is not prohibited for other competent persons to be appointed to Cabinet.

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The constitution specifies that the Prime Minister is appointed and removed from office by the President of the Republic, while Ministers, Ministers of State and other members of Cabinet are appointed by the President of the Republic after consultation with the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet implements national policy agreed upon by the President of the Republic and the Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet is accountable to the President of the Republic and the Parliament, which exercises the oversight role over the government.

Responsibilities and powers of the Prime Minister

According to the constitution, the Prime Minister, among others, leads the functioning of government in accordance with main guidelines given by the President of the Republic and ensures the implementation of laws; and formulates government programmes in consultation with other Cabinet members.

He has responsibilities to present Government programmes to Parliament within 30 days from assuming office; determine the duties of Ministers, Ministers of State and other Cabinet members; and convene Cabinet meetings.

He prepares the agenda of Cabinet meetings in consultation with other Cabinet members, and submits it to the President of the Republic and other members of Cabinet at least three days before the meeting, except for urgent matters considered by extraordinary.

Other responsibilities include enacting orders determining the mission, responsibilities and organisational structure of the public services under his authority.