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Rwanda May Scrap Presidential Term Limits

More than 3.7 million Rwandan citizens signed a petition asking Parliament to do away with the two-term limit and support an additional term for presidential office. Though Parliament voted unanimously to give President Kagame the latitude to proceed, there will be a referendum to approve the legislative move.

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Rwandan Parliament members have voted to amend the constitution so that incumbent President Paul Kagame can run for a third term in 2017.

More than 3.7 million Rwandan citizens signed a petition asking Parliament to do away with the two-term limit and support an additional term for presidential office. Though Parliament voted unanimously to give President Kagame the latitude to proceed, there will be a referendum to approve the legislative move.

Taking a neutral stance, President Kagame, who has been in office since 2000, has said that he will let the Rwandan people decide for themselves who will be their next president. However, activists rights groups have accused the President and Rwandan authorities of quieting opposition parties and shutting down the media.

The Green Party, who opposed the amendment, instead suggested that a presidential term be changed from seven years to four years.

The Party has until July 29th to find a lawyer to represent the case at the Supreme Court.

Burundi, Rwanda’s neighbor, may also potentially change its constitutional rules on presidential term limits, as citizens engage in violence and protests while President Pierre Nkurunziza seeks a third term.

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Legal Politics