Kigali, Rwanda – July 2025
In a political move that has surprised some observers and excited others, President Paul Kagame has appointed Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi as Rwanda’s new Prime Minister, marking a dramatic political comeback for the former education minister and cabinet veteran.
The announcement, delivered via the presidency’s official channels, comes amid Kagame’s ongoing government reshuffle following the country’s recent parliamentary elections.
Habumuremyi, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2011 to 2014, had retreated from frontline politics after facing controversy over financial mismanagement at a university he later managed — a case that saw him briefly jailed in 2020.
His re-emergence at the pinnacle of executive governance suggests Kagame’s confidence in tested political loyalists, even as critics question the optics of reinstating figures with past legal troubles.
"This appointment reflects the president’s desire for experience, trust, and continuity," said Dr. Theoneste Nsengimana, a Rwandan political analyst. "It may also indicate Kagame’s tight hold over elite political rotation."
The reshuffle has raised questions over Kagame’s succession strategy. Now in power for over two decades, Kagame remains a dominant figure in Rwandan politics. While he has not explicitly announced plans to step down in 2024 or 2029, signs of elite recalibration are beginning to emerge.
Rwandans interviewed in Kigali offered mixed reactions.
“He was efficient and loyal — maybe we need stability,” said Claudine Uwimana, a civil servant. Others, like university student Jean-Paul Mugiraneza, expressed concern: “A comeback? What message are we sending about integrity?”
International observers will be watching the reshuffle closely, particularly as Rwanda maintains high-profile diplomatic roles — from peacekeeping missions in Mozambique and the DRC, to hosting global summits and preparing for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.
Meanwhile, Kagame’s ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) remains firmly in control, and the country’s tightly managed political system is unlikely to see major disruptions.
Habumuremyi, now back in the PM’s seat, has pledged to focus on “national development, youth employment, and education reform,” signaling a return to themes that defined his earlier tenure.
The comeback raises deeper questions about Rwanda’s political recycling, elite loyalty, and how Kagame may shape his eventual political legacy.