Thousands of citizens on Tuesday at Kimihurura sector offices in Kicukiro district asked parliament to amend article 101 of the Rwandan constitution to allow president Kagame run for the third term.
The request was made during the on-going consultations by member’s parliament at Kimihurura sector offices in Kicukiro District.
Rwanda’s constitution limits presidents to two ‘seven-year’ terms. Kimihurura residents say that it’stheir right to allow Kagame re-elected come 2017.
Augustine Ruzidana, one of the residents of Kimihurura sector told the MPs that Kagame is the most qualified person to lead Rwanda into its next phase of socio-economic progress.
“He is capable, he is the right man to take Rwanda forward,” Ruzindana said.
Members of parliament continued their second day of consulting citizens on possible constitutional amendment to allow a change of article 101 as massive petitions from across the whole Rwanda suggest.
Last week both houses in parliament voted in support of a constitutional change, backing a petition signed by millions of citizens.
Charles Kagabo, also a resident of Kimihurura sector said Kagame has not only turned around the country’s economy and rebuilt its social fabric following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi; but went further developmental steps.
“Our president took services to the people, particularly extended clean water, schools and hospitals to remote areas and gave the poor cows that transformed lives, that’s why I want him to continue leading this country” Kagabo said.
The consultations, which will end on August 11, will guide lawmakers to draft proposed changes.
Any change to the constitution would require a vote in support by at least three-quarters of both parliamentary houses, followed by a national referendum.