Call to extend transition period

Eight political parties represented in parliament have called for extending the transition period by two to five years, the Rwanda News Agency reported on Monday. The five-year transition is due to end next month, but the leader of the Parti social democrate (PSD), Charles Ntakirutinka, also the minister of social affairs, pointed out the government’s objectives had not yet been achieved. He noted there should be laws in place to ensure good governance, political parties, the electoral process and the constitution. His comments were echoed by Parti liberal (PL) leader, Pie Mugabo. The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) agreed the transition should be extended, but said a time limit should not be imposed. Its secretary-general, Charles Murigande, said Rwanda was a special case and there were still challenges to be met.