Claudine Gasarabwe has assumed the role of interim president of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) following the resignation of Fabrice Shema, less than a year after he was elected to lead the country's football governing body.
Shema submitted his resignation on September 29 after a court sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for one year. He had earlier been released after pleading guilty to the charges in the case.
His resignation has triggered a leadership transition process provided for under FERWAFA's statutes, which set out how vacancies within the federation's Executive Committee are to be handled.
Under the regulations, the resignation of a president immediately creates a vacancy, and the outgoing office holder ceases to exercise any authority or perform duties on behalf of FERWAFA from the date of resignation.
In accordance with the statutes, the First Vice President, who is responsible for finance and legal affairs, automatically assumes the role of acting president until a new election is held.
Gasarabwe has therefore taken charge of the federation's day-to-day operations on an interim basis.
Unlike public institutions, FERWAFA — a non-governmental, non-profit organisation affiliated with FIFA and CAF — does not automatically organise an election immediately after the resignation of its president.
Instead, the remaining members of the Executive Committee, working with the FERWAFA Electoral Commission, are required to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly within the timeframe set out in the federation's regulations.
The assembly will elect a new president to serve out the remainder of Shema's four-year mandate. Having completed one year of the term, the successful candidate will serve the remaining three years.
FERWAFA's governance framework, which is aligned with FIFA and CAF statutes, also establishes integrity requirements for football administrators.
Officials convicted of criminal offences or found to have violated applicable integrity standards may become ineligible to hold office within football structures at national or international level, subject to the relevant regulations and procedures.
The federation's regulations further provide that officials who leave office following criminal convictions or court rulings are not entitled to benefits, bonuses or severance payments associated with their positions, where the applicable provisions so stipulate.
The forthcoming Extraordinary General Assembly will determine who takes over the presidency for the remainder of the current electoral cycle, while Gasarabwe continues to oversee FERWAFA's affairs on an interim basis.