Kagame Sworn in for Fourth Term After Landslide Victory in Rwanda
Rwandan President Paul Kagame was sworn in for a fourth term on Sunday, following a resounding victory in the July 15 election, where he secured more than 99 percent of the vote.
The inauguration ceremony took place at a packed Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, with over 45,000 attendees, including several dozen African heads of state and dignitaries.
Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda since the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, pledging to preserve peace, national sovereignty, and to consolidate national unity.
His re-election, with 99.18 percent of the vote, underscored his dominant position in Rwandan politics, though it also drew criticism from rights activists who highlighted concerns about the country’s democratic environment.
Despite these criticisms, Kagame’s leadership is credited with transforming Rwanda into a stable and economically thriving nation after the genocide, which claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 people.
His tenure has seen significant development and modernization in Rwanda, making it one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
The election saw only two other candidates, Democratic Green Party leader Frank Habineza, who garnered 0.5 percent of the vote, and independent Philippe Mpayimana, who received 0.32 percent. Several prominent opposition figures were barred from running, further fueling concerns about the democratic process in the country.
Among the attendees of the inauguration was Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who was scheduled to hold private talks with Kagame regarding a ceasefire agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebel group in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, an allegation Kigali has denied.
The Rwandan population, with 65 percent under the age of 30, has largely known only Kagame as their leader. Many, like 27-year-old trader Tania Iriza, expressed strong support for Kagame, crediting him with the nation’s recovery and progress.
“Under his leadership, Rwanda has risen from our tragic past and forged a path towards prosperity, unity, and innovation,” Iriza said.
Kagame has consistently won every presidential election since coming to power, each with over 93 percent of the vote. In 2015, constitutional amendments allowed him to potentially remain in power until 2034, further solidifying his long-standing influence over Rwandan politics.
Additional source: Alja Zeera
