Will Jones

Rwanda’s exclusionary constitution On paper, Rwanda’s constitution appears inclusive. In practice, it reinforces the ruling party’s power By Will Jones Rwanda’s 2003 constitution is considered one of Africa’s most progressive. It calls for proportional representation, guarantees seats in its legislature to women, youth and the disabled, and transfers extensive power to local councils, among other broad-minded features. This east African nation is also home to one of the world’s most tightly centralised ruling parties, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), headed by President Paul Kagame (pictured). A liberal constitution and a single party state do not sit comfortably together. Many observers…