Members of Parliament, yesterday, elected new four legislators to represent Rwanda to the Pan-African Parliament (Pap). The quartet include two senators and two deputies. They are Sen. Jean Népomuscène Sindikubwabo, and Sen. Jeacqueline Muhongayire and MPs Ignatienne Nyirarukundo and Mediatrice M. Izabiliza. Nyirarukundo is the current Chairperson of Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP) with Izabiliza her deputy. The elected legislators replace deputies Juliana Kantengwa and Jeanne d’Arc Nyinawase; and senators Gallican Niyongana and Jeanne d’ Arc Mukakalisa, who resigned from their positions. The MPs’ role at PAP is on a needs basis and they still retain their other roles. The Pan-African Parliament was established in March 2004 to serve as a platform for all African peoples. It deliberates on challenges facing the African continent. There are 47 African Union member states, each represented by five parliamentarians at the South Africa-based Assembly. Speaking after the elections, Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of Parliament, urged the elected members to diligently represent Rwanda. “Carry with you the Rwandan values and dignity and help contribute toward the development of Rwanda and the continent in general,” Mukabalisa said. Izabiliza pledged to use PAP as a platform to advocate for gender equality. Who are the new PAP members? Sen. Jeacqueline Muhongayire: Sen. Jeacqueline Muhongayire Sen. Muhongayire, 53, is a certified accountant with a Masters Degree in Business Administration (project management). The former Minister for East African Community (2013 - 2014) is currently a member of the Senatorial Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, a position she has held since August 2014. Muhongayire served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1995 to 2007, Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 1997 to 2000, and a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), from 2008 to 2013, from where she became a minister. MP Ignatienne Nyirarukundo MP Ignatienne Nyirarukundo MP Nyirarukundo, 48, is the current chairperson of FFRP. She is a lawyer by profession and holds a Masters Degree in Sociology. She is a former commissioner in the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and also worked as the Head of Swiss Foundation Mission dedicated to safeguarding the dignity of inmates below 18 years of age. MP Marie Mediatrice Izabiriza: MP Marie Mediatrice Izabiriza: MP Izabiriza, 48, is Women representative in the Chamber of Deputies from Ruhango District, Southern Province. She holds a Masters degree in Community Development. Sen. Jean Népomuscène Sindikubwabo Sen. Jean Nepomuscene Sindikubwabo Sen. Sindikubwabo, 51, is Western Province in the Senate.The physician holds a Masters Degree in Public Health and worked as medic at Ruhengeri, Kabaya, Kibuye and Murindi hospitals, between 1989 and 2011. He joined Senate in 2012.
