Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has been sworn in for his fourth term after winning the recent election with an overwhelming majority of over 98% of the vote.
During the oath of office, Kagame pledged to preserve peace and national sovereignty, reaffirming his commitment to lead the nation.
The National Electoral Commission reported that Kagame secured 99.18% of the ballots cast, ensuring another five years in power. However, rights activists have criticized the election as a stark reminder of Rwanda’s lack of democratic processes.
Despite his contributions to national stability and development, critics argue that his leadership is marked by a climate of fear, with allegations of intimidation, arbitrary detentions, killings, and enforced disappearances against those who dissent.
With 65% of Rwanda’s population under the age of 30, Kagame is the only leader most Rwandans have ever known. He has won every presidential election he has contested, consistently securing more than 93% of the vote.
In 2015, Kagame oversaw controversial constitutional amendments that reduced presidential terms from seven to five years. However, these amendments also reset his term limits, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2034.
