Rwanda's minister for Labour dismissed over accountability

KIGALI,  Rwanda

Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya’s dismissal as Minister of Public Service and Labour has been linked to her tenure at the Ministry of Environment, our Correspondent has learnt.

Mujawamariya was sacked on Thursday, July 25, over matters of accountability, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) confirmed that they had launched an investigation into her tenure as environment minister, a position she had held since November 2019.

“It's true Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya is under investigation for alleged crimes she committed during her tenure as Minister of Environment,” RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira said in a statement to the press.

Murangira did not provide information about the alleged crimes, saying the investigation was ongoing.

On whether Mujawamariya had been arrested, Murangira said “the decision to detain her will depend on the investigation outcomes.”

She was appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour on June 12, replacing Jeannette Bayisenge.

A holder of PhD in Physical Chemistry, Mujawamariya has also served as Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (2011-2013), and Minister of Education (2006-2008).

In the Ministry of Education, Mujawamariya also held positions such as Minister of State in charge of Higher Education (2005-2006) and Minister of Education in charge of Primary and Secondary Education (2003-2005).

Mujawamariya also served as Rwanda’s ambassador to Russia from 2013 to 2019.

Prior to becoming ambassador in 2013, Mujawamariya was the Vice-Chancellor of then-Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), a position she had held since 2011.