Another MP resigns

Barely two days after two veteran MPs members of the Chamber of Deputies resigned to stand for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) slots, another parliamentarian threw in the towel yesterday. Claire Kayirangwa of People’s Union for Democracy (UDPR) handed in her resignation to the Speaker of Chamber of Deputies Alfred Mukezamfura yesterday afternoon, as did Abdul Kharim Harerimana and Jacqueline Muhongayire. Vice Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Ambassador Denis Polisi, confirmed her resignation. “She never gave any reason for her resignation, only indicating that it was due to her personal reasons,” said Polisi. He also added that as the parliamentary bureau has already informed the National Electoral Commission (NEC) about the resignation. Kayirangwa confirmed her resignation when she was contacted yesterday. She however denied eyeing EALA. “(Our country’s bill) on EALA representation has not been approved, and so there is no way I can start considering that. That is something I can think about after the law is out,” she said. Kayirangwa joined Parliament in March last year replacing Brigitte Tuyishime, who sneaked out of the in 2005 after making derogatory remarks against Genocide survivors. Before joining the august House, Kayirangwa was a prosecutor with national competence and a member of the Superior Council of Prosecution. She is also the president of UDPR party. She has been the only UDPR lawmaker in the 80-member House. During the 2003 general elections UDPR rallied behind President Paul Kagame and RPF, which saw it and three other parties join an RPF-led coalition during the parliamentary contest. Rwanda will be represented by nine MPs in the East African Community’s House, which is based in Arusha, Tanzania.Ends