Rwanda’s President Kagame Announces Bid For Fourth Term in 2024.
By Caroline Ameh
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has officially declared his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, as reported by the BBC. Kagame’s announcement comes amidst a backdrop of controversy and international attention, given his lengthy tenure in office.
“I’m sorry for the West, but what the West thinks is not my problem,” Kagame stated when asked about potential Western reactions to his decision.
Kagame has been at the helm of Rwanda for an impressive 23 years and, notably, can pursue two more five-year terms, thanks to a controversial amendment to the constitution in 2015, allowing for his fourth term.
In a surprising turn of events, Kagame had playfully hinted at retirement earlier in April 2023, expressing his intention to step down after over two decades in office. He emphasized his desire to foster an environment conducive to nurturing potential leaders rather than personally selecting a successor, as reported by the BBC.
The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), the ruling party in the country, confirmed Kagame as its chairman in April, marking his continued leadership since 1998. This same occasion witnessed the election of the party’s first-ever woman vice-chairperson, reflecting Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality and its status as one of the world’s leaders in female representation within government and parliament.
Kagame’s victory in the previous presidential election in 2017 garnered a staggering 98.8% of the vote, underscoring his political dominance.
However, Kagame’s lengthy rule has been met with allegations of suppressing dissenting voices and curtailing opposition. International human rights organizations have accused his regime of targeting opposition politicians, journalists, and activists, both within Rwanda and abroad, who have criticized Kagame or his ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front.
As President Kagame embarks on his bid for a fourth term, the eyes of the world will be closely watching the developments in Rwanda, as the nation navigates this pivotal moment in its political history.