KIGALI CITY ELECTS WOMAN MAYOR

UNCLAS KIGALI 000220

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND DRL
EUCOM FOR POLAD

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI CITY ELECTS WOMAN MAYOR

REF: A. KIGALI 183


B. KIGALI 146


1. Summary: In the final phase of 2006 local elections
March 4, a woman parliamentarian was elected mayor of Kigali
by an overwhelming majority. As in the earlier phases of
the electoral process (reftels),voter turnout was high. An
estimated 94 percent of the electoral college, comprised of
elected members of the District Council and Sector Council
Bureau, participated by secret ballot in the indirect
election of the mayor and five other municipal officials.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Murigande thanked the
electors and the National Electoral Commission, and reminded
the newly elected officials of their role as public
servants. He urged them to carry out with integrity the
duties entrusted to them during their five-year term. End
summary.


2. On March 4, in the final phase of 2006 local elections,
District Council and Sector Council Bureau members elected
by secret ballot six Kigali City officials, including the
mayor and two vice-mayors, to manage the city on a day-to-
day basis. Woman parliamentarian Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kakira,
member of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF),was
elected mayor by an overwhelming majority of votes (164 to
12) over the other female candidate. According to the
National Electoral Commission (NEC),approximately 94
percent of the electoral college participated in the
election.


3. Dr. Kakira thanked the electors for their support, and
the NEC for its effective organization of the elections.
She pointed out that a significant number of female
candidates participated in the elections and hoped that that
this trend would continue.


4. On behalf of the government, Foreign Affairs Minister
Murigande also thanked the electors for their participation.
He expressed his gratitude to NEC and the electoral college
for concluding the local elections with integrity and
transparency. (Note: Prominently displayed banners in the
local language outside the polling station urged voters to
vote for their leaders with "integrity, freedom, and
transparency." End note.) Murigande noted that
organization of elections in Africa, as elsewhere in the
world, is a big and difficult task, at times complicated by
confrontation, contested results, and other irregularities.
He pointed out that the elections in Rwanda were conducted
peacefully and successfully as a result of NEC's efforts.


5. Murigande extended his appreciation to the newly elected
officials, reminding them of the trust given to them by the
people of Kigali City through their representatives. He
urged them to uphold the trust during their five-year
mandate and expressed the hope that at the end of their term
they could show Kigali City that this trust had been used
wisely for the benefit of the people. Reminding them that
there are those in Rwanda who seek leadership positions for
private gain, Murigande expressed the hope that the newly
elected officials sought their positions for the benefit of
Kigali City and that they would make sacrifices so that the
city could achieve great things.


6. The elections, like the earlier elections at the cell,
sector, and district levels, were peaceful with no signs of
coercion, intimidation or harassment of voters. Overall,
the process appeared fair and transparent, despite some
minor inconsistencies. The ballot box remained unsealed
throughout the day, but was within full view of voters and
observers. Ballots were stamped by NEC, and five armed
National Police provided visible but unobtrusive security.


7. Biography: Dr. Kakira was elected as one of two women's
representatives from the former Umutara Province in the 2003
legislative elections and served as Member of Parliament in
the Chamber of Deputies until her resignation March 4, 2005.
Previously, she served as Extension Manager in the Ministry
of Agriculture (2000-03),Program Manager for Oxfam-Great
Britain (1997-2001),and Veterinary Project Officer for
Handicap International Rwanda (1996-1997). She holds a
Masters of Science degree in tropical veterinary medicine
and economics from James Cook University, Australia (1995),
and a Bachelors degree in veterinary medicine from Makerere
University, Uganda (1992). She has been a member of the
Rwanda Women Leaders' Caucus, Rwandan Women Parliamentary
Forum, Parliamentary Forum for Sustainable Development, and
Parliamentary Amani Group (an association focused on
regional development and peaceful conflict resolution). As
a Rwandan born in Uganda, she holds dual citizenship. She
is fluent in English and Finnish. Her husband is an officer
in the Rwandan Defense Forces. She will replace Theoneste
Mutsindashyaka who was appointed governor of the Eastern
Province in January 2006.


8. Comment: Local sources predict that the administration
of Kigali City will not change significantly as a result of
the new mayor assuming power. All phases of local elections
were generally conducted in an orderly and efficient manner
despite some minor logistical problems and possible
political influence. The next elections will be
parliamentary elections in 2008, followed by presidential
elections in 2010 and local elections in 2011.

ARIETTI