04/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU underlines importance of political change. On Thursday 3 December, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini criticised the ongoing reform of the Rwandan constitution which, if it was approved by referendum, would allow President Paul Kagamé to court a third term in office. “The adoption of provisions that can apply only to one individual weakens the credibility of the constitutional reform process as it undermines the principle of democratic change of government” enshrined in the African Charter of Democracy, Mogherini stated in a press release. The reform provides for changing the presidential term of office in Rwanda from seven years to five, and no political leader could hold more than two terms of office. However, it would only enter into force at the end of a new seven-year period between 2017 and 2024 so that the current president would remain eligible. (MB)