Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in a historic announcement, has revealed his intention to seek a fourth term in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year. The 65-year-old leader expressed his gratitude for the confidence that Rwandans have placed in him, affirming his commitment to serve them for as long as he is able. He made this significant declaration in an interview with the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique.
The Rwandan government decided in March to synchronise the dates of the legislative and presidential elections, both slated for August 2024. Until this announcement, Kagame had not openly discussed his electoral ambitions. However, he has previously made constitutional amendments that allowed him to serve a third term and potentially extend his governance until 2034.
A former rebel leader, Kagame has effectively led Rwanda since the end of the devastating 1994 genocide. He has been re-elected with overwhelming support, receiving over 90% of the vote in the 2003, 2010, and 2017 elections.
While Rwanda has made significant progress and is considered one of the most stable countries in Africa, human rights groups have accused Kagame’s administration of ruling with an iron fist, suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of expression.
Rwanda’s press freedom ranking is a matter of concern, with the country being placed 131st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2023.
When asked about his potential re-election in 2022, Kagame suggested that he would “consider running for another 20 years,” emphasising that elections ultimately reflect the people’s choice.
Kagame’s rise to power occurred when he was just 36 years old, leading the Rwandan Patriotic Front to oust Hutu extremists who were held responsible for the genocide in which approximately 800,000 people, primarily Tutsis but also moderate Hutus, lost their lives between April and July 1994.