Rwandan President Paul Kagame Announces Bid for Fourth Term in Upcoming Elections

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has officially announced his intention to run for a fourth term in the upcoming elections. 

This announcement was made during an interview with the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique, where President Kagame expressed gratitude for the confidence shown by Rwandans and confirmed his candidacy.

This decision comes after a government decision in March to align the dates of both legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for August 2024. Previously, President Kagame had not publicly disclosed his intentions, but changes to the constitution allowed him to serve a third term and potentially extend his leadership until 2034.

Kagame, a former rebel leader, has been the de facto leader of Rwanda since the end of the 1994 genocide. He has been re-elected with over 90% of the vote in the 2003, 2010, and 2017 elections.

While Rwanda is often seen as one of the most stable countries in Africa, human rights organizations have criticized Kagame’s governance for suppressing dissent and limiting freedom of expression.