President Paul Kagame has secured one other 5 years in energy, vowing to “consolidate nationwide unity” amid opposition criticism.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been sworn in for a fourth time period after profitable a landslide victory in final month’s election with greater than 99 p.c of the vote.
A number of dozen heads of state and different dignitaries from African nations attended the opening ceremony on Sunday at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, the place crowds had begun gathering early within the morning.
Kagame was sworn in by Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo and pledged to “protect peace and nationwide sovereignty and consolidate nationwide unity.”
The result of the July 15 election was by no means doubtful for Kagame, who has dominated the tiny African nation for the reason that 1994 genocide, first as de facto chief after which as president.
He received 99.18 p.c of the votes solid to safe one other 5 years in energy, based on the Nationwide Electoral Fee.
Human rights activists stated the 66-year-old’s landslide victory was a stark reminder of Rwanda’s lack of democracy.
Of the eight candidates nominated, solely two have been allowed to run towards him, and a number of other outstanding critics of Kagame have been excluded.
Inexperienced Democratic Social gathering chief Frank Habineza got here in second with 0.5 p.c of the vote, in comparison with 0.32 p.c for unbiased Philippe Mpayimana.
Ceasefire negotiations within the Democratic Republic of Congo
Kagame is credited with rebuilding a nation in ruins after the genocide, when members of the Hutu majority unleashed 100 days of assaults towards the Tutsi minority, killing an estimated 800,000 folks, primarily Tutsis but additionally average Hutus.
However human rights activists and opponents have stated Kagame guidelines in a local weather of worry, crushing any dissent with intimidation, arbitrary arrests, killings and disappearances.
Kigali can also be accused of fomenting instability in its a lot bigger japanese neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who was amongst these attending Sunday’s ceremony, was scheduled to carry personal talks with Kagame on a ceasefire within the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Angolan presidency stated.
Luanda brokered the deal final month after a gathering between the overseas ministers of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which is accused of backing the M23 insurgent group preventing Kinshasa’s armed forces.
However on August 4, the day the deal was alleged to take impact, M23 rebels, who’ve seized territory within the east since launching a brand new offensive in late 2021, captured a city on the border with Uganda.
With 65 p.c of the inhabitants below the age of 30, Kagame is the one chief most Rwandans have ever identified.
“I proudly solid my vote for President Kagame and made it a precedence to be right here at present to witness this historic inauguration,” stated Tania Iriza, a 27-year-old shopkeeper, one in every of tens of 1000’s of Rwandans who turned out for the ceremony.
“His management has been transformative for our nation. Below his management, Rwanda has overcome our tragic previous and solid a path to prosperity, unity and innovation.”
Kagame has received each presidential election he has contested, every time with greater than 93 p.c of the vote.
In 2015, he oversaw constitutional amendments that shortened presidential phrases from seven to 5 years however reset the clock for the Rwandan chief, probably permitting him to rule till 2034.
