Gov’t withdraws SPS Bill from Parliament

The Parliament yesterday approved the proposal by government requesting to withdraw the bill establishing the Special Protection Service (SPS) so it can be fine-tuned. Prime Minister Bernard Makuza recently wrote to Parliament requesting to withdraw the bill. “The Prime Minister had indicated in a letter addressed to Parliament that there was need to withdraw the bill so as it can be refined and improved,” said Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, the vice Speaker of Parliament. “Legally, the government can request to withdraw a bill from parliament as long as it is not yet passed; reasons for withdrawal were based on consultations that were made with concerned agencies and they found it necessary to revise it before re-tabling it before parliament.” If established, the Special Protective Service would be charged with protecting the country’s top leaders and visiting dignitaries as well as strategic areas within the country. The draft legislation determines mission, organization and functions of the proposed security organ and it is expected to be detached from the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF). The proposed security organ will be responsible for protecting the top five senior officials: the Head of State, president of the Senate, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Chief Justice and the Prime Minister. Other people to be protected by the organ are visiting Heads of States and governments, President-elect and his or her immediate family, a former President and his or her immediate family and any other personalities or strategic places as may be designated by competent authority. According to the initial draft, the security organ will be under the supervision of the Office of the President and will have financial and administrative autonomy and its organisation will be determined by a Presidential Order. In addition, a Director General and a Deputy Director General are expected to head the organ. Ends

National

Gov’t withdraws SPS Bill from Parliament