KIGALI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame was on Saturday re-elected as chairperson of the ruling party Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) for the next five-year term.
Party delegates from within and outside the country elected RPF's National Executive Committee, the party's leadership, which includes chairman, vice chairman, secretary general and 22 commissioners, on the last day of the three-day RPF national congress.
Kagame garnered 2,340 out of 2,342 total votes after two voters abstained during the congress held in RPF's headquarters in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.
RPF's current vice chairperson Christophe Bazivamo and its Secretary General Francois Ngarambe were also re-elected.
After being re-elected, Kagame thanked delegates for their trust.
The congress has been an occasion for the party to recommit to attaining the country's transformation agenda, said Kagame.
He said those elected come from different age brackets, especially the young ones.
"We are empowering our youth by charging them with more responsibilities. Their contribution should define the history of our country for more decades to come," he said.
Secretary General Ngarambe outlined RPF's program for the next two years during last day's congress.
Ngarambe said more effort will be put in the fight against poverty, establishment of basic infrastructure in industrial areas, promotion of tourism, accessibility of fertilizers and affordable housing.
The three-day national congress that kicked off Thursday also saw a panel discussion on shaping Rwanda for global challenges and opportunities, reviewing party's achievements and revising party statute.
The congress is part of the activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the RPF.
Formed in 1979 by Rwandan refugees in exile, the Rwandese Alliance for National Unity became the RPF in 1987. In 1994, RPF took power and ended the Rwandan genocide, which claimed about 1 million lives.
