Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) has approved the establishment of a Council of Elders as part of reforms aimed at strengthening the party’s internal structures. This is one of the resolutions of the party’s 17th National Congress held at its headquarters in Rusororo, Gasabo District, on December 19. ALSO READ: Kagame urges RPF members to sustain fight against corruption The eight resolutions were published on Wednesday, January 7. During the congress, President Paul Kagame, who is also the Chairman of RPF-Inkotanyi Party, said he had held discussions with senior party leaders, including founding members, on the need to strengthen the party’s internal structures. “I asked them for one simple and not difficult thing: that we make a few adjustments to the structure of RPF, which we can then build upon as we carry out other reforms. These changes will help us strengthen the way we work,” Kagame told party members. ALSO READ: Bazivamo replaces Gasamagera as RPF Secretary General He added that part of the proposed reforms involves drawing on the experience of the party’s most senior cadres by forming a council of elders. The council, Kagame said, would operate alongside existing party structures, monitoring how things are done and offering guidance or correction when necessary, especially to help leaders remain grounded and focused on practical realities. He said the council could be made up of four or five people who may not be involved in day-to-day activities, but whose role would be to remind leaders to exercise caution and restraint. Other resolutions The RPF Congress also resolved to further improve service delivery and strengthen engagement with citizens to address their concerns in a timely manner, particularly in combating injustice. ALSO READ: Citizens shouldn't beg for services, Kagame tells leaders Members also approved amendments to the party’s statutes to allow changes to the structure of the National Executive Committee, including the introduction of a Second Vice Chairperson and a Deputy Secretary General. The congress unanimously elected Consolée Uwimana as First Vice Chairperson, Marie Solange Kayisire as Second Vice Chairperson, Christophe Bazivamo as the new Secretary General, and Stephen Gasana Karasanyi as Deputy Secretary General. Among other reforms, party members also committed “to promoting Rwandan culture, particularly by improving speaking, writing, and proper use of Kinyarwanda,” the party said in Wednesday's statement. They further pledged to strengthen civic education and mobilisation within the party, guided by values aimed at enhancing the quality of party members and supporting the country in addressing both national and global challenges. Members also resolved to encourage senior members to serve as role models for the youth and to consider the needs of young people in Rwanda’s development journey.
