In a move to uphold principles of unity as stipulated in the Constitution, several local government leaders from Northern Province have been dismissed following investigations into their failure to fulfill their duties.
Among those dismissed include the provincial executive secretary, three mayors and other officials from the districts and a sector within the province.
According to the statement from Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, an investigation found the affected officials fell short in their obligations to promote and protect national unity, which is a fundamental principle enshrined in the constitution.
In dismissing them, the Prime Minister was acting on instructions of the President, who is the custodian of the Constitution that among others, compels all government officials – elected and non-elected – to uphold tenets of the constitution.
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Those dismissed include Geoffrey Mushaija who was the provincial executive secretary and replaced by Emmanuel Nzabonimpa in acting capacity.
District mayors dismissed include Janvier Ramuli of Musanze, Jean-Marie Vianney Nizeyimana of Gakenke and Marie-Chantal Uwanyirigira, who was the Mayor of Burera District.
The three districts got interim mayors; Hamis Bizimana will temporarily head Musanze, Aimé-François Niyonsenga will be acting mayor of Gakenke while Jean-Baptiste Nshimiyimana was deployed in Burera in similar capacity.
Also dismissed were the vice mayor of Musanze in charge of social welfare, Axelle Kamanzi and Innocent Twagirimana, the executive secretary of Kinigi sector.
Others fired were senior staff members in the three districts.
The dismissal follows the resignation of Andrew Mpuhwe Rucyahana last month as the vice mayor for economic development in Musanze District over a case related to a gathering that took place in Kinigi Sector in the same district on July 9.
The event which saw the installation of the so-called Abakono clan chief, attracted over 600 people from all parts of the country and included among others government officials, local leaders and leaders in private and security sectors of different capacities.
The vice-mayor was among the people who attended the event that was later castigated by many, including the ruling party, RPF-Inkotanyi, as sectarian.
The event was streamed live on YouTube and later reported in different web-based outlets.
Many said it was setting a dangerous trend in a country, which witnessed horrors of the Genocide against the Tutsi that was widely fueled by sectarianism.
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After the event, several officials who attended – including Esperance Nyirasafari, the Senate Vice President –issued public apology and asked for forgiveness with commitment to never again engage in such discriminatory acts.
Later, Justin Kazoza, a businessman who had been installed as the chief of Abakono clan, also came out to apologise and denounced his newly-acquired title.