RPF NEWS

The RPF (Rwanda Patriotic Front) held a 2-day Congress in Kigali 6-8 February 1998 - its first inside Rwanda.

Elections were held for new office-bearers. Thus, Maj Gen Paul Kagame, Vice-President and Minister of Defence, was elected Chairman, replacing Alexis Kanyarengwe. The new Vice-Chairman is President Pasteur Bizimungu.

Other members of the executive include Dr Charles Murigande, Rector of the National University, to the post of Secretary-General.

In addition 7 Commissioners were elected as follows: Dr Donald Kaberuka to Economic Planning and Sustainable Development; Emily Kaitesi MP to Gender; Protais Musoni, the Prefect of Kigali, to Political Mass Mobilisation; Dennis Polisi (formerly second Vice-Chairman) to Youth; Bernadette Kanzayire, a lawyer and President of AUP, a local Human Rights NGO, to Justice, Social Affairs and Human Rights; Professor Munyanganizi Bikoro, Head of the Higher Agronomic Institute, ISAR, to Education; and Dr Tito Rutaremara to Special Duties.

The Congress decided that henceforth party elections will be held every year.

Overall, the Congress gave the RPF the opportunity to take stock. The newly- elected Committee would be tasked to prepare plans for progress towards eventual democracy.

In this context, the RPF will hold discussions with other parties to try to define common principles and a minimum common programme.