Today, Rwandans are participating in a presidential election that is likely to extend President Paul Kagame’s rule, which began in 1994.
In the capital city of Kigali, some voters arrived as early as 5 a.m. to await the opening of polling stations, leading to long queues.
“This is my first time voting. I’m choosing President Kagame because I haven’t seen a leader like him before,” shared Jean Claude Nkurunziza, a motorcyclist.
Election officials report that 9.5 million Rwandans out of a population of 14 million are registered to vote. Preliminary results are expected later today, with Kagame anticipated to secure a significant victory. His opponents, including Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana, faced challenges in garnering support during their campaigns.
In the 2017 election, Kagame overwhelmingly won nearly 99% of the vote against the same contenders.
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Habineza expressed optimism, stating that his party “has made significant strides and we are confident of a strong performance this time.”
Paul Kagame, aged 66, has led Rwanda since he emerged as a rebel leader who took control of the government and ended the genocide in 1994. He served as vice president and de facto leader until assuming the presidency in 2000. Kagame is both criticized as a strong-handed leader and praised for overseeing remarkable economic growth over the past three decades following the genocide.
Kagame is among several African leaders who have extended their rule by amending term limits. In 2015, Rwandans voted in a referendum to remove a two-term limit, potentially allowing Kagame to stay in power until 2034.
Speaking recently to reporters, Kagame emphasized that his decision to seek another term is supported by the ruling party and the Rwandan people: “I have been urged by both to stand again. Personally, I could comfortably retire.”
Rwanda’s election is unfolding amidst heightened security concerns in Africa’s Great Lakes region. In eastern Congo, Rwandan forces are reportedly supporting the M23 rebel group, which is engaged in conflict with Congolese forces. The United States has accused Rwanda of backing M23, while Rwanda alleges that Congo’s military includes individuals involved in the 1994 genocide among its ranks.
Human rights organizations continue to criticize Rwanda for severe restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of association. Amnesty International recently raised alarms about threats, arbitrary detentions, politically motivated prosecutions, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances targeting political opposition figures. These actions, Amnesty asserts, severely curtail dissenting voices within Rwanda’s civic groups and media, significantly limiting public debate.
