The article is that Rwandan President Paul Kagame is likely to win a fourth term in office in the next election, despite facing criticism and examination from the international community and opposition candidates.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is self-assured to win a 4th term in office in the upcoming election on Monday, facing only 2 opposition candidates, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana. Kagame has been in power since 2000 and won nearly 99% of the vote in the last election in 2017. His reelection could signal continued stability but also faces global examination due to allegations of human rights violences and tensions with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kagame’s government has been praised for stabilizing the country after the 1994 genocide, which saw over one million people killed. Rwanda has appeared as a regional fiscal hub but faces international examination, including from Western nations and rights activists. The government has been charged with muzzling the media, assassinating opponents, and backing rebel groups in Congo.
The election has been criticized for deficit credible opposition, as 6 other potential candidates were not cleared to run by the state-run electoral commission. Kagame’s opponents have resigned as “junior teams” and face an uphill fight against the incumbent president.
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Despite the challenges, Habineza and Mpayimana remain optimistic, with Habineza expecting to exceed his 2017 vote total and Mpayimana stimulating voters to consider his candidacy as a chance for democracy to flourish. Over 9 million voters are registered for the polls, which will also elect members of the lower house of parliament. Provisional results are expected by July 20.
Kagame’s reelection could also impact Rwanda’s international relationships, including a controversial relocation deal with the UK, which has been criticized by rights groups and is set to be disposed of by the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
By Arab news
