The 1994 transitional period in Rwanda ended decades of ethnic division and single-party rule, and it began a new era of national unity, reconciliation, and state reconstruction led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). In terms of politics and governance, the transitional period marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. New institutions were put in place after those which were previously imposed had failed. READ ALSO: Double genocide narrative distort Rwanda's history and memory The civil war and massacres that started on October 1,1990, and culminated in genocide and chaos in 1994, provided obvious proof of the collapse of the existing political ideology at that time. This was coupled with the collapse of the country’s administrative system that had been in power since 1962. Among other things, the transitional period introduced two major changes, namely the rebirth of Rwandan citizenship and a new constitution that was to characterise the rule of law. From then on, Rwandans were bound to enjoy their rights and duties. These rights belonged to them not as a result of their identity as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. It would neither be determined by their birthplaces. They enjoyed these rights because they were citizens of Rwanda. READ ALSO: RPF investigators preserved evidence of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi Besides, the constitution was promulgated, and the new laws stipulated in the new constitution were henceforth seen as a reference point in terms of state management. This basic principle removed the practice of conducting state affairs exclusively on the wishes of the head of state. It was to determine the management of the transitional period and the creation of structures that characterised the third Republic. The process of restructuring Rwanda politically was full of obvious challenges. It was a formidable task that could not be overlooked. It was necessary to seriously embark on political reforms which followed. The outcome of these reforms was a key factor in the survival of the country. Faced with these formidable but expected challenges and faced with the chaos created by the deposed regime, the new government in power referred to the following documents to formulate its programme: the constitution of June 10, 1991, the declaration of the RPF of July 17, 1994, and the Arusha Peace Accord together with all its protocols. READ ALSO: RPF’s diplomacy prevailed over denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi In addition to these documents, there was an agreement between political parties: the agreement of November 1994. This agreement was adopted on November 24, 1994, before the transitional national assembly was set up. Lastly, there was the fundamental law (the 1991 constitution and the Arusha Peace Accord), which was gradually enriched by other legal texts in order to conform to the realities of the transitional period. The objective was to clarify some contradictions raised by some of these laws. Of all the documents mentioned above, the Arusha peace accord constituted a major source of inspiration for government action. This was especially because it integrated two essential principles in the management of the state, namely the establishment of the rule of law and the power-sharing arrangement. However, some modifications in the RPF declaration of July 17, 1994, were enshrined in the Arusha peace accord to meet the challenges of the new situation. The duration of the transition, initially fixed at 24 months, was extended to a five-year period and was later extended to four years. MRND and its sympathisers, as well as the members of other political parties which were supporters of Hutu power or those who were involved in the 1994 crimes, were disqualified from participating in the institutions of the transitional government. According to the Arusha Peace Accord, their posts were to be handed over to the RPF.
