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Rwandan President Paul Kagame was inaugurated for his fourth term in office on Sunday, following his resounding victory in the presidential election last month. The ceremony took place at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, with numerous heads of state and dignitaries from across Africa in attendance.
Election Results and Criticism
The president won the July 15 election with an overwhelming 99.18% of the vote, according to the National Electoral Commission. The result has been met with criticism from rights activists who point to the lack of genuine democratic competition. The election featured only two other candidates: Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana. Habineza received 0.5% of the vote, while Mpayimana garnered 0.32%.
Kagame Leadership Record and Allegations
Since taking power after the 1994 genocide, the president has been credited with rebuilding Rwanda. However, his leadership has been marred by allegations of repression, including the suppression of dissent, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances.
Regional Security Concerns
The inauguration also served as a backdrop for discussions on regional security. Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who attended the event, was set to meet with the Rwandan President to discuss a ceasefire deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by Angola, fighting has continued in the DRC, with M23 rebels capturing a town on the Uganda border on August 4.
Public Support for Kagame and Future Prospects
At the ceremony, many Rwandans expressed their support for their President. Tania Iriza, a 27-year-old trader, highlighted the transformative impact of Kagame’s leadership. Constitutional amendments in 2015 allowed Kagame to reset his term limits, potentially extending his rule until 2034. Kagame has consistently secured more than 93% of the vote in every presidential election he has contested.