Dr Augustin Iyamuremye yesterday resigned from his role as Senate president, Parliament has announced. As head of the upper chamber of parliament, the 76-year-old has been the country’s number two after the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

"Earlier today, Senate President Dr Augustin Iyamuremye submitted his resignation as the President of the Senate, and as a Senator, due to health reasons," a tweet by Rwanda Parliament posted this evening reads

It added, "Tomorrow, December 9th, a special plenary sitting will convene to declare the Office of the President of the Senate vacant."

A former Cabinet minister and senior member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Iyamuremye assumed office as Senate president in October 2019.

As head of the upper chamber of parliament, the 76-year-old has been the country’s number two after the President of the Republic.

Reports say Iyamuremye presided over the closure of the Senate’s ordinary session on Monday.

Senators have up to 30 days to pick the chamber’s new president.

In meantime, Esp�rance Nyirasafari, the Senate Vice-President in charge of Legislation and Government Oversight, is expected to lead the chamber in acting capacity.

President Kagame will be expected to appoint a new senator to replace Dr Iyamuremye.

Iyamuremye’s political career spans over four decades. Since 1994, he served in different Cabinet portfolios, including Agriculture, Information, and Foreign Affairs.