Paul Kagame Sworn in for Fourth Term as Rwandan President After Winning 99% of the Vote
Paul Kagame has officially started his fourth term as Rwanda’s president after winning an overwhelming 99% of the vote in the recent election, according to BBC.
While many admire him for bringing stability to Rwanda following the 1994 genocide, some critics argue that his government is repressive, with few people feeling safe to openly criticize him.
Rights groups claim that his massive victory margin highlights a lack of democracy in the country. Only two other candidates were allowed to run against Kagame in the July 15 election.
Throughout his time in office, Kagame has consistently won more than 93% of the vote in each presidential election. The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali, was attended by several African leaders and thousands of others.
During his oath, Kagame promised to uphold peace and unity in Rwanda and vowed to use his power only for the country’s benefit.
Since coming to power after the genocide, Kagame has worked to transform Rwanda into a model of development, with a focus on cleanliness and international events.
However, his administration is also criticized for its involvement in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwandan troops are accused of supporting rebel groups.
Kagame’s speech at the inauguration included a critical note aimed at DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi, suggesting that mediation efforts between the two countries would only succeed if the situation changed.
Kagame’s continued leadership highlights ongoing debates about his governance and its impact on regional stability, as noted by BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd05erlzxy3o