PRESIDENT Paul Kagame of Rwanda has officially declared his intention to run for a fourth term in the upcoming election, defying criticism from Western nations regarding the extension of term limits. Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, made the announcement in an interview with French-language publication Jeune Afrique published on Tuesday.
The 65-year-old Kagame secured over 98 percent of the vote in the previous election in 2017 and has effectively led Rwanda since the devastating 1994 genocide. He is among several African leaders who have extended their rule by altering term limits. In 2015, Rwandans voted in a referendum to lift the two-term limit, potentially allowing Kagame to remain in power until 2034 if he wins the upcoming five-year term.
When questioned about Western reactions to his candidacy, Kagame responded, ‘I’m sorry for the We
st, but what the West thinks is not my problem.’
Earlier this year, Kagame was re-elected as the chair of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party for another five-year term. According to Freedom House, a US-based watchdog, Rwanda is categorised as ‘not free,’ and the ruling party has been accused of suppressing opposition groups.
Political analyst Gonzaga Muganwa emphasised Kagame’s total control over the party and the subservience of all legal political parties to his authority. Muganwa also noted the challenge Kagame faces in managing the cost-of-living crisis, as food inflation erases any income gains made since the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Kagame’s government has received praise for stabilising Rwanda, improving public health, and boosting the economy since the genocide, critics, including human rights groups, have accused the government of targeting opponents, even resorting to extrajudicial killings outside the country’s borders. The government has denied these allegations.
Rwanda’s political landscape includes another presidential candidate, lawmaker Frank Habineza, representing the Green Democratic party. In the 2017 election, Habineza received 0.45 percent of the votes. He stated that his party will continue to advocate for democracy and address pressing issues such as poverty, food shortages, and unemployment.
Habineza told The Associated Press (AP) his party was not surprised by Kagame’s announcement and will continue to fight for democracy.’As we speak now, there is a high level of poverty and people have no food and y
outh have no jobs. This is what bothers Rwandans,’ he said.
Supporters of Kagame argue that more time is needed under his leadership to achieve further economic growth and benefit all Rwandans. William Harerimana, a 53-year-old businessman, expressed the sentiment, stating that patience will lead to greater prosperity for the country.
‘We need to be patient a bit more and under him, the country will register more economic growth and benefit all Rwandans,’ he said.
