Kagame Sworn In for Fourth Term as Rwandan President

August 12, 2024

On August 11, 2024, Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, began his fourth term in office after winning an election with more than 99% of the vote. The ceremony occurred in a crowded stadium in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, and was attended by many important leaders from different African countries. During his speech, Kagame promised to continue working for peace and unity in Rwanda.

Kagame’s Rule Since 1994

Kagame has been in power since shortly after the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where about 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group, were killed. He first took on a leadership role after the genocide and officially became President in 2000.

Election Details

The recent election faced heavy criticism for not being fair. Kagame won 99.18% of the votes, but there were accusations that voters were intimidated and that those who opposed him were silenced. Only two other candidates were allowed to run against him, while other well-known critics were not permitted to participate. Although Kagame is credited with improving Rwanda’s economy and infrastructure, human rights activists point out that there is still a lot of fear in the country. They report instances of people being intimidated, detained without cause, and even disappearing if they opposed Kagame. Additionally, Kagame’s government has been accused of worsening the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by allegedly supporting rebel groups. Although there is a ceasefire agreement in place, violence continues to threaten peace in the region.

Who is Paul Kagame?

Born in 1957, Paul Kagame has been Rwanda’s President since 2000. He is recognized for helping to end the 1994 genocide. Under his leadership, Rwanda has seen economic growth and technological progress. Before becoming President, Kagame was the Vice President and Minister of Defense. He is also a strong supporter of gender equality, and Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in its parliament of any country in the world. However, his administration is often criticized for limiting free speech and press freedom.

What is Rwandan Genocide?

The Rwandan Genocide occurred from April to July 1994 and resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, by Hutu extremists. The genocide lasted about 100 days and was preceded by years of ethnic tension and propaganda. Many local civilians took part in the killings. The international community, including the United Nations, failed to take strong action to stop the violence. After the genocide, Rwanda has made a remarkable recovery, and it is now often seen as a model for reconciliation.

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