MPs in recess

Lawmakers on Thursday went into recess and are expected to come back on February 5 next year for plenary sessions.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Lawmakers on Thursday went into recess and are expected to come back on February 5 next year for plenary sessions.

The vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, Denis Polisi said the lawmakers had successfully ended the 2007 year parliamentary activities.

However, Polisi said there is a possibility of having extraordinary session early next year due to various parliamentary activities including the ad hoc commission that was set up on Wednesday, this week to scrutinize genocide ideology in schools.

"The commission was given fifteen days to give their report but they are likely to request for an extension which would mean that we shall definitely have an extra-ordinary session,” Polisi said.

Police extended his gratitude to the MPs in all activities that looked to be tiresome especially during the last three weeks where they have been involved in intense debates of national interest.

Polisi said that issues concerning passing the national budget, discussing the report findings about the genocide ideology in schools and passing other laws, were a manifestation that Parliament has done a lot.

The year 2007 saw a number of things happen in the Chamber of deputies, including the resignation of some legislators barely a year to the end of the mandate of the Lower House.

These included, Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana (Rwanda Patriotic Front), Jacqueline Muhongayire (Social Democratic Party), Claire Kayirangwa who were targeting East African legislative Assembly (EALA) seats.

Retired Gen. Sam Kanyemera Kaka also resigned few weeks after he was acquitted by court on charges of obstructing police efforts to arrest Kigali businessman Assinapol Rwigara.

Ends