President Kagame’s new Cabinet lineup did not disappoint. It is a cocktail of experience, youth and technocrats. It is a working cabinet, not the kind we tend to see in many countries where cabinet posts are political favours and not based on merit. The enthusiasm could be felt around many living rooms when the new list was unveiled. Many youthful faces entered the scene while some had bounced back after years serving elsewhere. So, what should be expected from the new setup? The first is to maintain momentum. It is a much leaner cabinet than the previous ones, therefore, the workload is bound to be more than usual. No doubt the appointing authority was well aware of the fact but trusted in his new team to be up to the task. The realignment of the gender setup is just another deciphered message that gender parity is here to stay. It is not a simple balancing game or playing for the cameras; Rwanda means business when it comes to treating everyone on an equal footing. The other piece of advice to the newcomers; serving the country in high positions is not a holiday camp, it is not a status upgrade. You should be ready to soil your hands in the service of the people. They will be watching and have many expectations of you. Just one pertinent point; the 50/50 male/female representation did not cause as many ripples in the country as it did outside because women empowerment in Rwanda is nothing special here; it is a way of life and has been a core principle since 1994. The sky can only be the limit as we pursue new gender milestones.
