KIGALI, July 11 – Rwandan President Paul Kagame is anticipated to win a fourth term in Monday’s election, facing two opposition candidates with limited prospects. This follows his near-unanimous victory in 2017, enabled by a constitutional amendment removing term limits.
Kagame, 66, has led Rwanda since 2000 after helping to end the 1994 genocide. His tenure has seen Rwanda emerge as a regional financial hub, but it has also attracted global scrutiny over allegations of human rights abuses and support for rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The international spotlight intensified with Rwanda’s 2022 agreement to host asylum seekers from Britain, which newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently vowed to terminate.
Despite these challenges, Kagame remains popular domestically, pledging continued development and stability. At a recent rally, he assured supporters of the country’s bright future under his leadership.
Only two of eight candidates who applied to run against Kagame were approved by the state-run electoral commission. The disqualified candidates included some of Kagame’s most vocal critics. The approved challengers, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and Philippe Mpayimana of the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, both ran against Kagame in 2017.
Habineza, who received 0.48% of the vote in 2017, is optimistic about improving his performance, citing his party’s success in parliamentary elections. Mpayimana emphasized the importance of giving new leaders a chance, reflecting democratic principles.
Over 9 million Rwandans are registered to vote, and the election will also determine the composition of the 80-seat lower house of parliament. Provisional results are expected by July 20.
