THE CONSTITUTION

On May 26, 2003 the new constitution was adopted by referendum. The constitution reflects the realities of post-genocide Rwanda and as such, its article 9 stipulates the following fundamental principles:

• fighting the ideology of genocide and all its manifestations
• eradication of ethnic, regional and other divisions and promotion of national unity
• equitable sharing of power
• building a state governed by the rule of law, a pluralistic democratic government, equality of all Rwandans and between women and men reflected by ensuring that women are granted at least thirty per cent of posts in decision making organs
• building a State committed to promoting social welfare and establishing appropriate mechanisms for ensuring social justice
• the constant quest for solutions through dialogue and consensus

The constitution provides for at least 30% of women representatives not only in Parliament but in all other decision making bodies at all levels. Currently women constitute 56% in parliament, 31% in cabinet, 50% in Supreme Court and 44% in local governments.

THE EXECUTIVE

The executive arm of government is headed by the President. The President is the Head of State. He also heads the cabinet and appoints a Prime Minister to coordinate the cabinet activities. The cabinet is the body of ministers responsible for the conduct of national affairs. Ministers are appointed by the President upon consultation with the Prime Minister.

For the sake of national unity, sustainable social and political stability, the constitution ensures a power sharing mechanism by making sure that a political organization holding the majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies may not exceed 50 per cent of all the members of the Cabinet. Similarly the President of the Republic and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies shall belong to different political organizations.

All regions, ethnic groups and religions are represented in the Government of National Unity. Women are also represented at cabinet level, in parliament, the civil service and in local and local government.

LEGISLATURE

Parliament is composed of two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 80 deputies. The current Parliament 2008-2013 is composed of deputies from the following 8 political parties: Front Patriotique Rwandais (FPR), Parti Social D�mocrate (PSD), Parti Lib�ral (PL), Parti D�mocrate Centriste (PDC), Parti D�mocratique Id�al (PDI), Parti Socialiste Rwandais (PSR), Union D�mocratique du Peuple Rwandais (UDPR), Parti pour le Progr�s et la Concorde (PPC) and Parti pour la solidalit� et le Progr�s (PSP).

The women represent 56% of the deputies, which is the highest women representation in Parliament in the world. The Senate is composed of 26 members, 12 of whom are directly elected, 8 appointed by the President of the Republic to ensure the fair representation of all Rwandan communities, 4 chosen by the forum of registered political parties and 2 university professors elected by their peers. There are 10 women out of 26 Senators, representing 38.5% of the Senate.

JUDICIARY

The judicial system of Rwanda is composed of the:

Ordinary Courts:

• Supreme Court
• High Court
• Intermediary Courts
• Primary Courts

Specialized Courts:

• GACACA courts to try genocide cases
• Military Courts
• Commercial Courts

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Rwanda is divided in 4 provinces and the City of Kigali and has 30 districts that are decentralized units with their own local governments.

IMPORTANT REFORMS

• Administrative Decentralization
• Auditor general office
• National Tender Board
• National police
• Press law
• National examination council
• Ombudsman
• Law Reform
• Professional boards such as Bar association, Medical council and various other regulatory boards