Rwanda’s Kagame Sworn In for Fourth Term Amidst Historic Inauguration
Rwanda’s long-standing leader, President Paul Kagame, was officially sworn in for a fourth term on Sunday, following a decisive electoral victory last month where he secured more than 99 percent of the vote. The inauguration, held at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, was attended by several dozen African heads of state and dignitaries, with crowds gathering from the early morning to witness the event.
Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda since the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo. In his address, he vowed to “preserve peace and national sovereignty, consolidate national unity.” The outcome of the July 15 election was widely expected, given Kagame’s strong grip on power, and he now embarks on another five-year term.
The 66-year-old leader’s overwhelming win, with 99.18 percent of the vote, has sparked criticism from rights activists who point to the lack of democratic freedoms in Rwanda. Out of eight applicants, only two candidates were permitted to run against Kagame—Democratic Green Party leader Frank Habineza, who garnered 0.5 percent of the vote, and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, who received 0.32 percent.
Kagame’s presidency is marked by both praise and condemnation. He is widely credited with leading Rwanda’s recovery and transformation following the 1994 genocide, which saw the killing of around 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis. However, his administration is also accused of stifling dissent and ruling through fear, with reports of intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances.
The inauguration was not solely a ceremonial affair. Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, one of the attending dignitaries, was scheduled to hold private talks with Kagame regarding a ceasefire deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been active in eastern DRC, further complicating regional stability.
Despite the controversies, Kagame remains a dominant figure in Rwandan politics, with many citizens expressing strong support for his leadership. Tania Iriza, a 27-year-old trader who attended the inauguration, voiced her admiration: “His leadership has been transformative for our nation. Under his leadership, Rwanda has risen from our tragic past and forged a path towards prosperity, unity, and innovation.”
Having won every presidential election with over 93 percent of the vote, Kagame’s political future remains firmly in his hands, especially after overseeing constitutional amendments in 2015 that allow him to potentially rule until 2034.
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Rwanda’s Kagame Sworn In for Fourth Term Amidst Historic Inauguration
