A general assembly by the National Consultative Forum for Political Parties yesterday elected Agnes Mukabaranga as its new spokesperson. Mukabaranga, a former senator, is the head of the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC). She replaced Christine Mukabunane, the chairperson of PS Imberakuri.Also elected was the deputy spokesperson Sylvie Mpongera of Rwanda Socialist Party (PSR). The mother of four is a political novice and works as a nurse at University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB.)The duo will serve for a period of six months. Mukabaranga was elected unopposed by 38 party representatives.

The former senator, in her acceptance speech urged all political parties to commit to facilitate peaceful forthcoming legislative elections slated for September. "When we are campaigning, we just present our manifestos; it should not in anyway be interpreted as confrotation between parties,” Mukabaranga told the parties representatives.She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and has in the past served in the transitional national assembly from 1994 until she was named senator in 2003.