By RFIPissed on 10-19-2018Modified 19-10-2018 at 16:51

In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame has reshuffled his government. It concerns in particular two strategic portfolios: Foreign Affairs and Defense. For the first, Louise Mushikiwabo, elected at the head of the Francophonie, leaves her place with the minister James Kabarebe, it becomes special adviser of the president.

It is first and foremost a smaller, more feminine government than Rwanda. The number of ministries has increased from 31 to 26, half of whom are women. After Ethiopia, a few days ago, Rwanda becomes the second African country to respect parity balance. " This new reshuffle is intended to make the government more structured, more efficient and more focused on serving the people, " the presidency said in an official statement.

The big change in this government is the departure of two heavyweights. After ten years at the helm of the Rwandan diplomacy, Louise Mushikiwabo leaves to become the new secretary general of La Francophonie. She is replaced by Richard Sezibera, former secretary general of the East African Community. More unexpected is the departure of one of the pillars of the regime, James Kabarebe. Defense Minister since 2010, former chief of staff of the army, and former companion of President Kagame during the genocide, the latter will now occupy the newly created post of special advisor to the president on security issues. .

Is it a promotion or a sidelining? James Kabarebe is one of the seven close to President Kagame accused in France in the investigation into the bombing of the plane by President Juvenal Habyarimana, who precipitated the genocide in 1994. Seven people against whom the Paris prosecutor rightly asked the last week the discontinuation of the prosecution for lack of sufficient evidence.

    On the same subject

    Juvenal Habyarimana: no-place requested in France against the Rwandan dignitaries

    Rwanda: Boniface Twagirimana's wife does not believe in her escape

    Francophonie: Rwanda has never seemed so strong in the concert of nations

    OIF: Louise Mushikiwabo, an experienced woman at the head of La Francophonie

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