We need Kagame to guide Rwanda's future - Nyanza residents

There is probably nothing residents of Busasamana Sector, Nyanza District, agree on more than the issue of lifting presidential term limits. This was shown on Saturday during ongoing MPs’ consultations on proposals to amend Article 101 of the Constitution to allow President Kagame continue leading the country. The consultation follows demands by more than 3.7 million Rwandans to amend the Constitution to allow President Kagame remain in power after his second term ends in 2017. MP Euthalie Nyirabega speaks during the dicussions. During the consultations at Nyanza Stadium, thousands of cheerful residents made it clear that the issue of lifting of term limits was not debatable. They carried placards with various messages. While some placards outlined the country’s post genocide achievements, others spelt out the need to amend the Article 101. The residents said that under Kagame, government policies give all citizens equal opportunity to exploit their potential in education and other development aspects. “If it were not for Paul Kagame, my children could not study. I did not expect my child to attend university but they did. We need Paul Kagame to lead us for more years,” Vestine Mukarebera, from Rwesero Cell, said. Clementine Mukeshimana, another resident, said the government has empowered and promoted women issues and demanded that lawmakers should amend the constitution. “Article 101 should be amended or else we will take to the streets and protest to show the world that we are with him. Kagame is the only leader we can trust. He is our leader who lifted us from a very bad past,” she said. Bizumuremyi expresses his views through a poem. (Photos by Emmanuel Ntirenganya) Expressing his views through a poem, Marcel Mugabe Bizumuremyi traced Rwanda’s historical divisions and said Kagame was still needed to guide the country’s future. “Now the unity of Rwandans under Kagame is unquestionable. If a football team is scoring goals and bringing trophies; it and its coach cannot be changed,” he noted. MPs Euthalie Nyirabega and Edda Mukabagwiza officiated at the consultations in Busasamana. Mukabagwiza told the residents that power belongs to the citizens in a democracy and they have rights to elect a leader of their choice. Nyirabega thanked the residents for their massive and active participation in the consultations, noting that their views will be considered by Parliament. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

News

We need Kagame to guide Rwanda's future - Nyanza residents