MINI-CABINET SHUFFLE IN RWANDA

UNCLAS KIGALI 000468 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV RW SUBJECT: MINI-CABINET SHUFFLE IN RWANDA REF: KIGALI 454 ¶1. (SBU) On July 26, Rwanda government radio and television announced President Kabila's modest reshuffling of cabinet positions. Most ministries went unchanged, with the key positions of Prime Minister and Ministers of Defense, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Internal Security, and Justice remaining in their positions. The Minister of Cabinet Affairs Charles Murigande transferred to Education, the Minister of Local Government Protais Musoni switched to Cabinet Affairs, and the Minister of Agriculture Christophe Bazivamo took Musoni's place at Local Government. The President elevated the Minister of State for Agriculture Agnes Kalibata to full Minister of Agriculture, and added a new Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, Mathias Habamungu (the previous one recently lost his position after a long-running corruption investigation) (reftel). The overall number of ministers and ministers of state dropped from 27 to 25. Representation among the two major ethnic groups remained balanced at 13 Hutus and 12 Tutsis. As required by the Rwandan constitution, the Rwandan Patriotic Party (RPF) continues to retain no more than fifty percent of the cabinet positions (the Social Democratic Party (PSD) holds 2 seats, the Ideal Democratic Party 1 seat, the Liberal Party 1 seat, with 9 non-political technocrats in the cabinet). ¶2. (SBU) The dropped Minister of Education, Dr. Gahakwa, served in her position for only 16 months; continuing difficulties in improving the quality of education appears to explain her firing. Her replacement, Dr. Murigande, a high ranking RPF member and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has previously served as the Rector of the National University (as well as teaching for many years at Howard University in the U.S.). The new Minister of Local Government, Christophe Bazivamo, holds this position for the second time. For the last two elections, he served as the election coordinator for the RPF campaign team. He is also the Vice President of the RPF. His transfer appears to be a simple lateral change of duties. Protais Musoni spent eight years as Minister of Local Government, where he led a massive decentralization effort. Cabinet Affairs may be a bit of a demotion for him, or simply a less demanding spot in the cabinet after many years at a very busy ministry. Elevation of Agnes Kalibata to full Minister of Agriculture represents a vote of confidence in her by the President. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. President Kagame once again tweaked his cabinet, firing one cabinet member, while having three trade places. This minor repositioning of trusted civil servants, who have over the years held a number of senior positions in the government, represents no great changes in policy or personnel. End comment. ¶4. The full cabinet follows: Ministers: Prime Minister: Bernard Makuza Agriculture: Dr. Agnes Kalibata Defense: General Marcel Gatsinzi East African Community: Monique Mukaruliza Education: Dr. Charles Muligande Finance: James Musoni Foreign Affairs: Rosemary Museminali Health: Dr. Richard Sezibera Infrastructure: Linda Bihire Internal Security: Moussa Fazil Harelimana Justice: Tharcisse Karugarama Natural Resources: Stanislas Kamanzi QNatural Resources: Stanislas Kamanzi Local Government: Christophe Bazivamo Office of Prime Minister - Gender: Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya Office of Prime Minister - Information: Louise Mushikiwabo Presidency - Cabinet Affairs: Protais Musoni Presidency (no portfolio): Soline Myirahabimana Public Service: Anastase Murekezi Sports and Culture: Joseph Habineza Trade and Industry: Monique Nsanzabaganwa Youth: Protais Mitali Ministers of State: Education (Primary and Secondary): Dr. Mathias Habamungu Infrastructure (Energy): Albert Butare Land (Water, Mines, Environment): Vincent Karega Local Government (Community Development): Christine Nyatanyi SYMINGTON