Paul Kagame, a figure of immense influence in African politics, was solemnly sworn in for a fourth term as President of Rwanda on Sunday.
His landslide victory in last month’s elections, where he secured over 99% of the vote, marked a significant moment in the nation’s history.
The inauguration, a truly global event, was graced by the presence of numerous African heads of state and dignitaries. The packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali was a testament to the international significance of the occasion.
Kagame, 66, took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, vowing to “preserve peace and national sovereignty” and “consolidate national unity.”
His overwhelming victory in the July 15 election was widely anticipated, given his long-standing control over the nation since the 1994 genocide, first as de facto leader and later as president.
However, amidst the celebration, a cloud of controversy loomed. The National Electoral Commission reported that Kagame received 99.18% of the vote, a landslide victory that extended his presidency for another five years. Yet, critics argue that the election results underscore the lack of democratic processes in Rwanda, casting a shadow over the jubilation.
Only two candidates out of eight were permitted to run against Kagame, and prominent critics were barred from participating.
Democratic Green Party leader Frank Habineza finished second with just 0.5% of the vote.
Kagame is credited with rebuilding Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, in which Hutu extremists killed approximately 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu moderates. He led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) forces that ended the genocide and has since been instrumental in the country’s recovery.
Despite his role in the country’s recovery, human rights activists accuse him of ruling through fear, employing intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances to suppress dissent.
The inauguration also featured discussions on regional stability. Angolan President Joao Lourenco attended the ceremony and was scheduled to meet privately with Kagame to discuss a ceasefire deal for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This agreement, brokered by Angola, followed a recent escalation involving the M23 rebel group, which is accused of receiving support from Rwanda. The M23 rebel group, formed by former Congolese soldiers, has been a source of regional instability, and its alleged ties to Rwanda have been a point of contention in the region.
The deal was set to take effect on August 4, but M23 rebels captured a town near the Uganda border on that day.
With 65% of Rwanda’s population under 30, Kagame remains the only leader many Rwandans have ever known.
Tania Iriza, a 27-year-old trader, expressed her support, saying, “His leadership has been transformative for our nation.
Under his leadership, Rwanda has risen from our tragic past and forged a path towards prosperity, unity, and innovation.”
Kagame has won every presidential election he has contested, consistently securing over 93% of the vote.
In 2015, he oversaw constitutional amendments that reduced presidential terms to five years but allowed him to rule until 2034 by resetting his term limits.
