Rwandan President Paul Kagame Poised for Fourth Term After Landslide Election Victory
By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER & AFP
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is set for a fourth term in office after winning a staggering 99.15 percent of the vote in Monday’s election, which saw only two challengers permitted to run against him.
Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda with an iron fist for three decades, saw this election outcome as a foregone conclusion. Partial results released by the election commission seven hours after polls closed confirmed his dominance, showing Kagame receiving an even higher percentage of the vote than the 98.79 percent he garnered in the last election seven years ago.
Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza managed only 0.53 percent, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana secured just 0.32 percent, based on results with 79 percent of ballots counted.
From the headquarters of his ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the 66-year-old Kagame expressed gratitude to Rwandans for entrusting him with another five years in office. “The results that have been presented indicate a very high score, these are not just figures, even if it was 100 percent, these are not just numbers,” Kagame remarked. “These figures show the trust, and that is what is most important. I am hopeful that together we can solve all problems.”
The National Electoral Commission stated that the electoral process was conducted safely and transparently for Rwandans both at home and abroad. Full provisional results are expected by July 20, with definitive results due by July 27.
Kagame, who is the only leader most Rwandans have known with 65 percent of the population under 30, is praised for rebuilding the nation after the 1994 genocide. However, his rule is also criticized for fostering a climate of fear and for alleged involvement in destabilizing the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Over nine million Rwandans, including about two million first-time voters, were registered to vote in this presidential race, which coincided with legislative elections for the first time.
Kagame’s past election victories were similarly lopsided, with more than 93 percent of the vote in 2003, 2010, and 2017. He has also pushed through controversial constitutional amendments, shortening presidential terms and resetting the clock for his potential rule until 2034.
Opposition figures faced significant hurdles, with Rwandan courts rejecting appeals from prominent figures Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire to remove previous convictions that disqualified them from running. High-profile critic Diane Rwigara was also barred from running due to issues with her paperwork, the second time she was excluded from an election.
Amnesty International highlighted the severe restrictions faced by Rwanda’s political opposition, including threats, arbitrary detention, prosecution, trumped-up charges, killings, and enforced disappearances.
Kagame’s campaign benefitted from a robust PR machine, while his rivals struggled for visibility. Despite the election’s overwhelming result, Kagame’s leadership continues to stir debate, particularly regarding accusations of meddling in the DRC and Rwanda’s economic disparities.
In the parliamentary election, 589 candidates vied for 80 seats, with the RPF holding a significant majority in the outgoing assembly.
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In the parliamentary election, 589 candidates were chasing 80 seats, including 53 elected by universal suffrage.
In the outgoing assembly, the RPF held 40 seats and its allies 11, while Habineza’s party had two.
Another 27 spots are reserved for women, the youth and people with disabilities.