Rwandan President For 23 Years, Paul Kagame Endorsed for Fourth Term Amid Controversy

Rwanda’s ruling party has officially endorsed President Paul Kagame as its candidate for the upcoming July election, setting the stage for a contest that many anticipate will extend Kagame’s decades-long leadership for another seven-year term.

At the Rwandan Patriotic Front congress held on Saturday, Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, was nominated unopposed by the party. This endorsement marks Kagame’s bid for a fourth term, having previously won landslide victories in the presidential elections of 2003, 2010, and 2017, often with over 90 percent of the vote.

In accepting the nomination, Kagame acknowledged the weight of leadership and urged the ruling party to prepare for a transition beyond his tenure. Despite expressing openness to passing the mantle, Kagame’s grip on power remains unchallenged within the party.

Opposition to Kagame’s continued rule has been minimal, with Green Party leader Frank Habineza emerging as his sole known challenger in the upcoming polls. However, Habineza’s previous electoral performance has been lackluster, securing just 0.45 percent of the vote in the 2017 election.

Also, read: Museveni Prepares for 7th Term as President Of Uganda

Another potential contender, Victoire Ingabire, leader of the unregistered Dalfa Umurunzi movement, has been barred from the presidential race due to a prior conviction. A court ruling on her eligibility is expected on March 13.

The July election in Rwanda will encompass both presidential and parliamentary polls, with candidates allowed to campaign from June 22 to July 12. Despite the facade of democracy, rights groups have criticized Kagame’s administration for stifling dissent and free speech, creating a climate of fear and intimidation.

Kagame’s tenure has been marked by stability, but his controversial constitutional amendments in 2015, which extended presidential term limits, have raised concerns about democratic governance and the concentration of power.

Despite these criticisms, Kagame remains a dominant figure in Rwandan politics, with his leadership deeply intertwined with the nation’s post-genocide reconstruction and development.

As Rwanda prepares for another election, the spotlight remains on Kagame and the future trajectory of the country. Will this election mark a turning point in Rwandan politics, or will Kagame’s grip on power continue unchallenged? Only time will tell.