Continuing his authority that has lasted over half a century, Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, has secured yet another term of five years following a decisive victory in the recent polls, amassing a staggering 99 per cent of total votes.
Originally securing the office in 2002, Kagame, now aged 66, saw off the challenge from his two previous rivals who were unable to make significant inroads into his popular support. Frank Habineza from Rwanda’s Democratic Green Party managed to secure only 0.53 per cent of the votes, whilst independent representative Philippe Mpayimana managed an even lesser 0.32 per cent, the National Electoral Commission confirmed on Monday night.
In a controversial move, several other potential candidates, including persistent critic Victoire Ingabire and entrepreneur Diane Rwigara, were disqualified from the electoral race and are now serving prison terms on charges including terrorism and instigation of rebellion.
Kagame’s hold on Rwanda’s power structures dates back to 1994 when he successfully led a rebellious force to end the genocide that resulted in the loss of 800,000 lives. His tenure was set to end following two terms as president, however, in 2015, Rwanda abolished this two-term limit, potentially enabling the 66-year-old to rule the East African nation till 2034.
While critics label Kagame as a suppressor of human rights with a blue streak for squashing political rivalries and inhibiting the freedom of expression, he has also gained recognition for fostering an invigorated and resilient economy. The economically-vital nation, home to an estimated 13 million residents, has consistently boasted one of Africa’s rapid growth rates. The IMF predicts a sustained annual expansion of 7 per cent in the next half-decade.
Describing Kagame, David Himbara, previously his private secretary and later a critic living in Canada, stated, “Kagame is a lion. The lion has preyed on everything, and has chased everything. It’s a one-man state.”
Supporters of the president maintain that limitations on freedom of speech and political activities are essential in light of the genocide, with the victims predominantly hailing from Mr Kagame’s ethnic Tutsi minority.
Moreover, there have been allegations against Mr Kagame of fueling instability in the neighbouring nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As indicated by a report by the United Nations, Rwandan forces, numbering in the thousands, are backing the M23 rebel faction in conflicts that resulted in the death of thousands and forced millions more to flee their homes in the previous year. Despite the continuous denials from Rwanda of supporting the group claiming to be fighting for the rights and safety of the Tutsi population in Congo, the accusations persist. – Bloomberg