Rwandan President Paul Kagame has secured a historic fourth term in the recent election, according to unofficial results released on Tuesday. Chrysologue Karangwa, President of the Electoral Commission of Rwanda, announced Kagame’s victory, with the incumbent receiving 7,099,810 votes, representing an overwhelming 99.15% of the total 9,071,157 votes cast.
Kagame, 66, who leads the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), easily defeated his nearest competitor, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, who garnered 38,301 votes (0.53%). Phillipe Mpayimana, another contender, received 22,753 votes (0.32%).
This election marks Rwanda’s fourth since the devastating 1994 genocide. Voters not only cast their ballots for the presidential seat but also for parliamentary positions. The counting of parliamentary votes is still ongoing, with over 500 candidates vying for 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament.
Kagame has been a central figure in Rwandan politics since the end of the 1994 genocide, initially as a de facto leader and officially becoming president in 2000. His 2017 election victory saw him securing more than 98% of the vote. Kagame’s recent campaign emphasized his commitment to inclusive development, national security, and improving the livelihoods of all Rwandans.
His eligibility to run in the current election was due to a 2015 constitutional amendment allowing him to seek three additional terms. While this amendment provided Kagame with a seven-year term in 2017, it also stipulated that presidential terms would be reduced to five years starting in 2024.
As Rwanda awaits the final results of the parliamentary elections, Kagame’s resounding victory underscores his continued dominance in the country’s political landscape. His administration will face the ongoing challenge of maintaining Rwanda’s rapid development and stability while addressing the needs and aspirations of its citizens.
