17Aug
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has made a significant announcement that has sent ripples across the nation and beyond. In an exclusive interview with the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique, Kagame, who has been at the helm of Rwanda's leadership since the aftermath of the devastating 1994 genocide, declared his intention to seek a fourth term in the upcoming elections scheduled for August 2024. "I am happy with the confidence Rwandans have shown in me. I will always serve them as long as I can. Yes, I am indeed a candidate," said Kagame, who has maintained a firm grip on power through a mixture of constitutional changes and electoral victories.
This announcement comes on the heels of a controversial decision by the Rwandan government to synchronize the dates of legislative and presidential elections, setting the stage for a pivotal political moment in the country's history. Until now, Kagame had remained somewhat cryptic about his future ambitions, but his tenure has been marked by constitutional amendments that allowed him to extend his leadership beyond the traditionally mandated two terms. If successful in his bid, he could potentially lead Rwanda until 2034.
Kagame, a former rebel leader, has consistently garnered overwhelming support in past elections, with over 90% of the vote in the 2003, 2010, and 2017 polls. While Rwanda has experienced remarkable stability under his leadership, international human rights groups have criticized his governance style, citing concerns over stifled dissent and limited freedom of expression. One high-profile case that drew international attention was the sentencing of Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and a vocal Kagame critic, to 25 years in prison for terrorism. Rusesabagina's arrest and subsequent trial raised questions about due process, as his family claimed he was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda.
Released from prison in March 2023 following a presidential pardon and flown to the United States, Rusesabagina continued to voice his concerns about the state of affairs in Rwanda, asserting that Rwandans were "prisoners in their own country." Press freedom in Rwanda has also come under scrutiny, with the country ranked 131st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2023.
Kagame's announcement to seek a fourth term follows a statement he made in 2022, where he suggested he might "consider running for another 20 years," emphasizing that elections were ultimately the choice of the people. Kagame's journey in Rwandan politics is intertwined with the country's painful history. At just 36 years old, his party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, ended the reign of Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide, during which approximately 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus, lost their lives between April and July 1994.
As Rwanda looks ahead to the 2024 elections, the nation is at a crossroads, and Kagame's decision to run for a fourth term promises to shape the country's future in profound ways. The world watches with keen interest as this chapter in Rwanda's history unfolds.
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