Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has made his intentions clear for the first time, expressing his plan to seek a fourth term in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year, despite his 23-year-long tenure in power.
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame
In an interview with Jeune Afrique, a French-language news magazine, Kagame, who has maintained a firm grip on the country for decades, affirmed his candidacy, stating, "Yes, I am indeed a candidate." The 65-year-old leader further expressed his gratitude for the confidence Rwandans have placed in him, declaring, "I will always serve them, as long as I can."
The Rwandan government decided in March to synchronize the dates for both parliamentary and presidential elections, set for August 2024. Kagame had previously not revealed his intentions, but in 2015, he oversaw controversial constitutional amendments that extended his eligibility to run for more terms, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2034.
A former rebel leader, Kagame assumed the presidency in April 2000 but had been the de facto leader of the country since the end of the 1994 genocide. He has been reelected with over 90 percent of the vote in elections held in 2003, 2010, and 2017.
Kagame's primary challenger in the upcoming elections appears to be opposition Green Party leader Frank Habineza, who announced his intention to run in 2024 back in May. Habineza stated that Kagame's decision to stand for reelection next year "is not a surprise" and expressed confidence in their ability to mount a stronger campaign than in 2017. He emphasized their commitment to fighting for political space, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights through democratic means in Rwanda.
