Transitional Provisions, Revision of the Constitution and Final Provisions

The President of the Republic in office at the time this Constitution comes into force continues to serve the term of office of seven years for which he was elected.

The provisions of Article 101 of this Constitution take effect after the seven-year term of office of the President of the Republic referred to in Paragraph (1) of this Article.

Deputies in office at the time this revised Constitution comes into force continue to serve until the day of the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies due to elections.

Laws cannot enter into force without their prior publication in accordance with procedures determined by law.

Ignorance of a duly published law is not an excuse.

Unwritten customary law remains applicable provided it has not been replaced by written law, is not inconsistent with the Constitution, laws, orders, and regulations, and neither violates human rights nor prejudices public order or good morals.

The power to initiate the revision of the Constitution is vested in the President of the Republic after approval by Cabinet. It is also vested in each Chamber of Parliament through a two-thirds majority vote of members.

The revision of the Constitution requires a three-quarters majority vote of the members of each Chamber of Parliament.

However, if the revision of the Constitution concerns the term of office of the President of the Republic or the system of democratic Government based on political pluralism or the political regime established by this Constitution, especially the republican form of Government and national sovereignty, the revision is passed by referendum, after adoption by each Chamber of Parliament.

No proposal of revision to this Article is permitted.

This revised Constitution comes into force upon promulgation by the President of the Republic and its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.